JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Five Killingsworth Projects The City of Jacksonville Would Be Smart To Continue:
1. Envisioning Plans
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Job creation is Mayor Brown's top priority. However, creating jobs and true economic development is more than dredging the river for JAXPORT or revitalizing downtown; it's also finding the right strategy and policies to stimulate redevelopment and revive distressed neighborhoods throughout the city.
One of Bill Killingsworth's first acts as Planning Director was to develop and finalize a massive community visioning effort for the entire city. The community has already indicated what it wants Jacksonville to become. What separates us today from the Charlottes, Indianapolis' and Austins of the nation is our inability to see that vision develop into fruition. Killingsworth has provided the path but wasn't given the necessary time to see it through. The community needs to come together and see his plan become a reality.
2. Mothballing Legislation
For years, Jacksonville has become a place that disrespects its history and culture in favor of becoming a sprawling landmass. This was evident in the Springfield Historic District where code enforcement routinely demolished historically significant buildings. Historical structures like those being destroyed have made cities like Savannah and Charleston destinations and Riverside's Avondale one of the country's "Top Ten Great Neighborhoods."
Bill Killingsworth worked with the community to create legislation that stops the destruction of historic neighborhoods such as Springfield. Entitled the Mothball Legislation, new laws were passed that preserve these ancient buildings and bring them up to code. The owners now have three years to improve the building and beautify its exterior instead of facing fines or the bulldozer.
3. Context Sensitive Streets
Jacksonville routinely ranks as one of the deadliest cities for pedestrians and bicyclists. Our neighborhoods have been decimated by past leadership that felt the need to rip apart communities for automobile movement and capacity instead of human experience. Listening to the community, Killingsworth created a Context Sensitive Streets Project.
The Project sought creative and affordable design solutions to improve existing and future streetscapes that promoted mobility choice and sustainable neighborhoods. Jacksonville is now in a position to become a leader in implementing sustainable transportation infrastructure in Florida thanks to Killingsworth's vision.
4. 2030 Mobility Plan & Fee
Mayor Brown's long-range goals for our city include landing an NBA team, light rail transit and a thriving downtown. Luckily, he's walked in a job where Bill Killingsworth's innovative and awarding winning mobility plan provides the administration with the financial mechanism to make rail transit a short term goal. Sure to be replicated across the United States, the 2030 Mobility Plan integrates land use and transportation investments in a manner that pays for the rail corridors, economic development, job creation and sustainable revitalization that Mayor Brown would like to see in downtown, the urban core and the rest of the city.
5. Citywide Zoning Code Rewrite
The Mayor has stated multiple times that he wants Jacksonville to become a destination spot and not a pass-through to other more popular communities. By enforcing zoning codes and land use regulations will Jacksonville be able to build upon its unique natural and cultural assets, while strengthening the city's tax base.
Jacksonville is a better place today because of the policies and plans that were implemented under the leadersh Bill Killingsworth's leadership. The urban core wishes that he retained as the Director of City of Jacksonville's Planning and Development Department, or in a similar role under the new reorganization. Anyone else who is called upon to replace him will have huge shoes to fill. The urban core would like to thank Bill Killingsworth for his 20 years of public service to the City of Jacksonville and wishes him the best of luck on his future endeavors.
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