TU: Jacksonville City Council panel on Hemming Plaza wants to seek outside management

[Patricia M. McBride]

In one word:  Privatize.  I do not for the life of me understand why they don't put out a request for proposals to privatize this park.  Why oh why would we pay someone to manage it, because our sprawling city government has now sprawled beyond the capabilities of our elected officials to manage.  I am about sick of one article right after another indicating spending, spending and more spending of money the city does not have.  Where is responsible financial governance?   Why is privatization not considered?  Why does the city council have to micro manage this project when they clearly do not have the expertise or time to do?  Why at every level of government do our elected officials see their primary job as spending money and as much as possible in the shortest time possible when no level has any money and as far as our city goes, is close to bankruptcy.  Insane!

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April 4, 2012

Officials want the park upgraded, but not just to benefit the homeless.

By           Steve  Pattersonjacksonville.com            Copyright 2012 The Florida Times-Union. All  rights res...

April  4, 2012 - 06:18pm

Jacksonville City Council panel  on Hemming Plaza wants to seek outside management

A Jacksonville City Council panel on improving Hemming Plaza  wants to look for someone to help manage the historic downtown park.

Councilwoman Denise Lee said she'll ask council President Stephen Joost to  consider requesting either general information or formal proposals from  businesses or groups that could manage event planning and other services for the  park.

There was no discussion Wednesday of potential costs for that management.

"This has been going on for a long time and we need someone with experience,"  Lee said.

She asked newspaper publisher Jim Bailey to work with City Hall lawyers to  draft a request that outlines the tasks and responsibilities the city wants  handled.

"Programming" events to attract visitors has been stressed repeatedly in  discussions about revitalizing the one-block park.

Read more at Jacksonville.com:  http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2012-04-04/story/jacksonville-ci...