Downtown Jacksonville, the heart of northeast Florida, is becoming much more livable, walkable, and seems to be drawing more talent by way of the entertainment arts. Nearly every week, especially now that spring season is here, there seems to be some type of music concert, activity, event, or show to attend. Last weekend I had the privilege of attending the Turnpike Troubadours concert with Elle King at Daily’s Amphitheater. The weather was fantastic, and as the sun was setting and the seats in the venue began to fill, I began reflecting on the history of concert venues in downtown Jacksonville. I couldn’t help but think about the Jaguar’s stadium (the largest concert venue downtown) and what a gift that place has been to our city and how many events I have attended there.
Nowadays, there are serious discussions about renovations to the stadium and upgrades. Despite the hundreds of millions of dollars that the city of Jacksonville would likely need to come up with for significant stadium upgrades, Jacksonville is slowly starting to define itself. I believe it is true: Jacksonville is not like any other city. You can not completely try to copy or watch another city and replicate that downtown vision for Jacksonville. We need to take ownership and grow on our own and in our timing. It takes community, it takes patience, and yes, it takes capital investment to grow a downtown. As one who grew up in this great city, I have often felt that Jacksonville just grows a little slower than other cities. Not for better or worse, that is just how we are. Leaders are being careful in making strategic decisions that affect the future of the city and younger generations that follow in their footsteps. There is great diversity of cultures in Jacksonville and while we maintain somewhat of a southern Georgia atmosphere (I have often been teased that my haircut is somewhat of a “Georgian shag”), I can see our city becoming a global destination and great economic engine for the rest of the state of Florida and the region.
It is time for our community to invite others to the table. It is time for outsiders to be included. It is time for heavy hitters in Jacksonville business to sit down with smaller companies and collaborate, listen to each other without animosity. It is time for old school politics to be replaced with newness. It might even be time for a new stadium, one that might host the World Cup one day or the Olympics, not to mention possibly bringing the Super Bowl back here if we could ever host another one! Exciting things are happening, and I believe the future is extremely exciting for our city!