Friends of Friendship Fountain

Friendship Fountain/Park Redevelopment Update

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Wed, 12 May 2010 14:04:00 +0000

On March 11, 2010 I posted communications I received from Ron Barton, the Executive Director of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, indicating to contact him again in May for an update.

I emailed Ron on May 11, 2010 and today received a reply that Eric Lindstrom,
Redevelopment Manager for the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, would be
contacting me with additional information, that email was received less then an hour later.

The Friendship Fountain improvements will be let for bid May 26. We will open bids June 30. I would anticipate a construction start date by August 1. I can give you a better idea on the actual start date in mid July. Contact me then and I can be more precise on the exact start date. Thanks.

Eric Lindstrom

So I want to thank the Mayor, Ron Barton and Eric Lindstrom for keeping us informed regarding this long overdue restoration and hopefully come July we will know the full exact scope of work and time frame for restoring this Jacksonville Downtown Centerpiece.

Edit: Eric provided additional information regarding the plans for the restoration which can be viewed by accessing the below link and clicking on "February 2010 (PDF 8.94Mb)"
http://www.coj.net/Departments/Jacksonville+Economic+Development+Commission/Downtown+Development/DDRB+Meeting+Information.htm

A direct link to the PDF file is below:
DDRB Meeting Packet February 2010.pdf

Stay tuned...

Bob

Protest Senate Bill 6 At Friendship Park

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 16:09:00 +0000

Deborah Gianoulis will be leading a protest against Senate Bill 6, also known as the Teacher Merit Pay bill, today, April 14, 2010 at Friendship Park starting at 4:00 PM ET followed by a march across the Main Street Bridge at 5:00 PM ET.
FirstCoast News Story Link

-Bob

Friendship Fountain Refurb Update

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 02:24:00 +0000

I sent an email to the Mayor on February 22, 2010 requesting any information on scheduling for the work that is to be done on the Fountain and Southbank riverwalk.

Today I received a reply from Ron Barton the Executive Director of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission as follows:

Hello Bob. We are still a 2-3 months away from any actual construction.
Just check bak with me via e-mail around May and I should have a
construction schedule updated and that can guide our start and progress.

Which I quickly replied to thanking him for the information and assuring him I would be checking back in May.

Later in the day I realized that the mail contained a Communication to Ron from the Mayor...

Ron, please respond on my behalf and copy me. Thanks.

Glad to see it appears I am off the freeze out list :)

Can't wait to get more information and will do my best to update images on the site once work commences...

-Bob

Finally some love for Friendship Fountian

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 04:14:00 +0000

It was just announced that the Jacksonville City Council approved the Mayor's plans for Friendship Fountain...
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2010-02-09/story/jacksonville_council_oks_downtown_projects

I cannot wait to see what actually gets done!

-Bob

Will 2010 be the Year? Finally...

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 20:08:00 +0000

Well after 2009 which started off with really horrible news regarding Friendship Fountain as far as I am concerned it seems 2010 is starting off with at least some positive remarks, now the question is will we see any real action?

Ron Littlepage Jan 5, 2010

Jacksonville's to-do list for 2010 includes Jaguars, economy"

Dec 18, 2009

Jacksonville can revitalize its core with minimal investment

Letters to the Editor Times Union Jan 3, 2010

Friendship Park: Make the fountain spectacular

Only time will tell and these "Impending Plans" for Friendship Fountain really are pretty vague...

Renovations Coming to Friendship Fountain

From a personal perspective if the City does nothing more then repairs the Fountain so that all three rings work again that would be a huge step in the right direction. Talk about sad, the shots of the Northbank from the Southbank through what is left running of the Fountain during the lone Televised home game this year...

-Bob

Taylor Hardwick In discussions with City of Jax?

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:28:00 +0000

Andy Johnson, a great Friend of Friendship Fountain brought this nugget to my attention yesterday by email.

"From the Financial News and Daily Record:
Architect Taylor Hardwick, who designed the Haydon Burns Library and Friendship Fountain, is working with the mayor’s office on the restoration of the fountain."

The article can be viewed here, it is just a snippet...
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/citynotes.php

It appears they Typo'd the Companies name that uses the Fountain Image on one of it's pages, the Company is Grohe Plumbing (Not Grone)
http://www.groheactive.co.uk/t/25_17829.html

I sent an email to an address listed for Taylor Hardwick asking if any additional information may be available, so if I get anymore I will post it as soon as I get it.

Here's hoping there is still hope for Friendship Fountain...

Bob

City Spin? Bought Air Time? CBS and FOX has the exact same story?

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 04:50:00 +0000

I received an email from Matt Saffer, Fox 30 News, today asking me to call in regards to a story they were planning regarding Friendship Fountain, which I did.

He asked if I had any comment regarding new City plans for the Fountain. I probably went on a bit of a rant regarding what the city has said and done in the past and mentioned the 3 Million RFP the city issued in 2006 and other instances where the city indicated the Fountain needed to be replaced...

RFP: http://www.jaxfountain.com/FountainProject/P1010040.JPG

Susy Wiles: "It can't be done at any kind of a reasonable cost," said Mayor's Office spokeswoman Susie Wiles.
http://www.news4jax.com/news/9771462/detail.html

Move Kids Kampus to the site of Friendship Fountain:
http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2006/03/06/story7.html

Matt also asked if I could possibly be available for an interview which I had to indicate I could not as far as on Camera and then he asked if I could possibly be available for a phone Interview which I indicated I could and provided my number...

No Call.

So I am watching TV tonight and catch the tail end of a Fountain piece on Fox and then while switching back and forth I find another piece on CBS news. I see only a mention that the City has 8 proposals for "revitlizing" the Fountain... Hmmm I seem to remember the City received 7 proposals in 2006? Are these the same?
http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/050606/ner_21783751.shtml

The stories as I found and captured them, in the event they are altered...
TV30: http://www.fox30online.com/content/topstories/story.aspx?content_id=26aa92ac-622d-44a0-b3ef-9051efc162ca
TV 47: http://www.cbs47.com/content/topstories/story.aspx?content_id=26aa92ac-622d-44a0-b3ef-9051efc162ca

WOW I just realized that after the domain name both URLs are identical... AS are the stories...
http://jaxfountain.com/FoxNewsStory.gif
http://jaxfountain.com/TV47Story.gif

I guess I am the only one in town that didn't realize that FOX and CBS Local news was one... I mean I know that NBC and ABC are basically one but FOX and CBS?

Anyway for what it is worth it certainly appears to me that these two stories are 1: Identical, 2: written by the Mayors Office. and 3: 8 proposals when we had 7 in 2006... Maybe they aren't really new?... maybe just some new Spin?

Folks in these Economical Times lets just FIX the Fountain so when the next Blimp Shot is taken it looks impressive... Come on that is still the preferred shot to showcase Jacksonville for each home game even with only the outer ring running...

That is my take, what is yours?
-Bob

Here come the Rumblings again :(

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:48:00 +0000

Talk about coincidence, while watching the Game this past Sunday and seeing a Blimp shot of the Fountain (first one I remember seeing since the Super Bowl) with only the outer rings going (as that is all that is still functional) I said to my wife...

"That just makes me so sad, that beautiful Fountain at 1/3 of it's normal abilities because the Administration is waiting for that part to break so they have all the excuses they need to rip the Fountain Out..."

Then a true Friend of Friendship Fountain brought something to my attention in the last few days...

A story regarding Public Input regarding the Future of Metro Park published in the Jax Daily Record, the full story may be accessed at the following link:
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=51089

However the following quote got our attention...

"evaluating the feasibility of expanding Metropolitan Park into the space occupied by Kids Kampus and possibly the WJCT property, both of which could be accommodated in another location off the riverfront."

Ok so where do you suppose Kids Kampus could go? Hmmmmm Hey I know lets tear down Friendship Fountain and stuff it there...

We have heard that refrain before and it would not surprise me if another attempt isn't made as the Current Administration has made it clear that any attempt to repair the Fountain just isn't in their plans...

Again I also have to wonder where any funds for anything other then purely needed maintenance would come from, I mean we are seeing increased fees for services previously covered by taxes, the economy is in the Tank and we are talking about what would most likely be another multi "zillion" dollar project...

One question I would love to see any answer to...

What maintenance on existing Parks, Riverwalks and Fountains is being done? ANY?

The last time I was at the Southbank Riverwalk I was shocked at the condition and I have read of possible serious issues with portions of the Northbank Riverwalk.

Now to be honest it has been some time since I was able to venture downtown (well truth be told it breaks my heart when I see the Fountain) and possibly some of these issues have been addressed?

Maybe some folks out there can use the upload link and provide some up to date images of any problems with the Parks and Riverwalks and we can start a Peyton Wall of Shame...

That is my take, what is yours?
-Bob

Ps... On a personal note Our 2008 Halloween decorations can be seen at the below link:
http://wolfstalks.net/Gallery/LakeshoreHalloween

Budget cuts, How can we afford to fix anything let alone Friendship Fountain?

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 17:55:00 +0000

In view of the major cuts being required as a result of the Property Tax changes and the looming crises we are facing in the condition of the North and South Bank Riverwalks how could we possibly expect the City to come up with money for repairs for Friendship Fountain? (Not to mention the apparent desire by the current Administration to demolish the Fountain)

I think it is time for everyone to step up and take a little bit of ownership.

The City of Jacksonville needs to realize that any Multi Million dollar revamping of Friendship Fountain is not only not feasible but would be fiscally irresponsible (assuming they understand that term when it comes to Pet projects) and to go back to the original plan and estimate for Repairs so that the Fountain could once again be a Visual Center Point of our Great City.

Now I understand that $400,000.00 (which was the estimate 2 years ago) probably has risen but if the City would get a new, solid and bare bones repair estimate and present that as the Cost to restore Friendship Fountain. Maybe we, YES I said WE, as in the Citizens and Businesses of Jacksonville, could raise the money required.

I propose that a Private Business, Entity, Individual or Group, start a "Restore Friendship Fountain Fund" that anyone, individual, business, group, school or school class, could contribute to. With 100% of the Money donated being put towards the Restoration of Friendship Fountain.

Obviously this does depend on the City Officials to obtain a realistic estimate, for Restoration, not renovation (Lets face it folks right now there is no way that a Renovation could be afforded let alone considered), once the amount is raised it is paid directly to the Contractor the City chose and obtained the estimate from.

Hey you never know but maybe, just maybe, this "Restore Friendship Fountain Fund" could become "The Citizens for Jacksonville Parks Restoration Fund" and help in some of the other areas that we have already heard some discussion about or will in the coming year... I am afraid the bad news we have already heard regarding Parks, Parks Maintenance, and the North and South Riverwalks is just the beginning...

Why don't I start such a Fund? Simply put I do not have the necessary knowledge to administer such an endeavor but I sure would contribute Cold Hard Cash to it, not much, $50.00 maybe another $50.00, but if 1000's were to donate a few bucks the fund would grow rapidly and then get some businesses involved and School Groups before you know it we would have the money needed to Restore Friendship Fountain.

Got a better idea? Know an Individual or Entity that would take on this Task?

Ok that is my take, what is yours?

-Bob

4th of July 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 14:10:00 +0000

On this 231st Anniversary of the United States, and my 7th Wedding Anniversary ;), I want to wish everyone a very Happy and Safe Holiday.

While I won't be going downtown this year for the 4th for those of you who will be one of the best spots to view the City of Jacksonville fireworks is from The Fountain and hopefully they will at least have the outer ring running.

It is also a good time to remember how magnificent The Fountain can be when all rings are running and with a new term of office for our Mayor don't forget to write, call and just generally BUG the Mayor and your City Council members to get moving on restoring Friendship Fountain.

$400,000.00 is a lot of money but pales in comparison with many of the other "Projects" currently draining our city coffers and this one is something that everyone in the City can see, and enjoy, not to mention Visitors to our Great City and those moments when we get national Exposure on TV.

Help Save Our Fountain!

With that I will leave you with a shot of our Front Yard on the westside decked out for the 4th of July!

-Bob

Mayor wants to spend $454 Million for Courthouse!

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 00:04:00 +0000

The Mayor doesn't want to spend $400,000.00 to repair the fountain, which would probably allow it to run for years without anything other then the normal maintenance you would expect but he wants to spend $454 Million for a Courthouse that he felt was too expensive at $300 Million in 2004...

Wow getting reelected sure changed his perspective and our costs...

TV4 has a survey on their News Front Page:
http://www.news4jax.com/news/index.html

Let your voice be heard.

-Bob

Friendship Fountain On Hold again?

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 16:10:00 +0000

In this Morning's Times-Union...

Downtown Vision: What's the Big Idea?
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/020807/met_7753455.shtml

So after waiting for almost a year we apparently get to wait longer. That repair estimate of $400,000.00 starts looking like a better and better choice everyday, at least we would have a fully functioning Fountain...

-Bob

Is anyone out there?

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 21:37:00 +0000

I received the following email from 10best.com today...

" Hi! My name is Julius Dargan and I'm with 10best, Inc. We provide free online travel guides at our website, www.10best.com, and we list the Friendship Park Fountain in our Jacksonville database. I am curious as to the status of the fountain - from looking at your website, it appears as though the fountain's days may be numbered. While I hope that is not the case, I would like your honest opinion concerning whether or not the fountain will ever be returned to its original glory, as I would not want to steer my clients towards an attraction that is no longer there. Your response will be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much for your time."

I wrote back the following...

"Hello Julius,

At this time it would be hard to say what the ultimate conclusion that
will be reached however there are forces at work to preserve
Friendship Fountain and restore it to full function.

The way many see this is the Mayor's office may be the only ones that
are pushing for it's demolition and some speculation that there may be
ulterior motives in moving Kid's Park to the present location of the
Fountain to free that land up for commercial development.

As the Mayor's office has not spoken a word on the subject since Oct
of last year my fear is that they are hoping that by doing nothing
long enough the infrastructure of the Fountain itself will start
failing more and reinforce their stand that it would be cost
prohibitive to restore.

However others in support of the Fountain have spoken recently and at
least one City council member strongly indicated that they would only
support the restoration of Friendship Fountain so I have not lost hope
but there doesn't seem to be any quick resolution of this in sight...

Thanks for the inquiry and I wish i could provide more substance
however since this came to light the Communication to me from the
Mayor's office has been one sided, I write, and they ignore...

If I may have permission I would certainly like to make public your
communication and concern as well as link to your site's mention of
Friendship Fountain...

Thanks for your interest,
Bob"

Then Julius wrote back with this...
"Bob,

You are certainly welcome to use my comments in any respect, as well as provide a link to our site if you so choose. I must inform you, however, that as of now it will be up to the judgement of an editor here at 10best as to whether or not the fountain will remain on our website. Good luck with your ongoing efforts to restore this landmark.

Sincerely,
Julius Dargan"

One of the Top Ten sightseeing recommendations according to 10.best.com and here we are just waiting and wondering while we get nothing from the Mayor's office... Just sad :(

Oh by the way in the Met Jax Post I mentioned in my last post continues to grow with the majority seemingly wanting FriendShip Fountain restored...
http://www.metjax.com/forums/showthread.php?p=57470

Make your voice heard call and write your City Council Member and the Mayor's office...

-Bob

Interesting MetJax Thread regarding Friendship Fountain

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 00:44:00 +0000

I cam across this today and I am extremely pleased to see MetJax keeping the Fountain issue in the forefront...

I am especially pleased with this quote from Suzanne Jenkins, City CouncilWoman...

My understanding is $75,000.00 dollars is needed to replace the pump that governs the large fountain spray in the middle. I would like to see that happen now, while the rest of the park is being planned and reworked.

Please visit the below link for the full Thread and postings...
http://www.metjax.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3926

-Bob

Latest Posts and Notes regarding Mayor Peyton's apparent disregard for the Citizens of Jacksonville.

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 13:32:00 +0000

Today is Sep 12 and it has been well over a full work week since I sent the Sep 1, 2006 email to the Mayor and City Council Members... Where are the replies? Not in my Inbox...

Mayor Peyton at least have the backbone to stand up and either Confirm what Susie said or do the right thing and disavow her comments and go on the record with one of the Major Media outlets and issue a statement, "Friendship Fountain will NOT be torn down, will not be altered but will be Refurbished." Give us concerned Friends of the Fountain your guarantee "Not on your watch" Mr. Mayor.

Great story at MetroJacksonville.com regarding the Fountain as well as a very neatly laid out time line of events including story links to document the line... Well Mr. Mayor maybe you will have a comment on this story?
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/200/68/

Latest posts around town I have found...
http://www.metjax.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2859&highlight=fountain
http://www.metjax.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2864&highlight=fountain
http://www.metjax.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2789&highlight=fountain

One additional note. I am an avid fan of our Jaguars and I noted that FOX kicked OFF their NFL Regular Season Coverage from Jacksonville (yeah i know it was because of T.O. playing here and not the Jags) however the backdrop of their Commentary Desk sure could have used the Fountain as it was used for the entire Super Bowl week coverage.

$400,000 about 1 and a half years ago and the Fountain would be working with all three rings today... I guess if you really don't want it the best way is to neglect it long enough so that it can't be fixed? Is that the Real plan Mr. Mayor ???

-Bob

Friendship Fountain Shop

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Sun, 10 Sep 2006 17:19:00 +0000

Today we have just added an option to Purchase T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, Mugs, a Wall Clock and other items through Friends of Friendship Fountain Shop through CafePress.

These items are sold at CafePress's base prices with no markup whatsoever as this is not an attempt to make money but to provide Visitors an option to purchase and wear or use "Save OUR Fountain" gear.

Currently there are only a few images available however over the next week or so we hope to add "Save OUR Fountain!" images and gear.

If you don't see anything you like but have your own image of Friendship Fountain that you like then just click on "Make your own stuff" from This Link!

Remember I am making nothing from any sales, compare our prices with "Make your own" and you will see.

-Bob

Times Union Updates Friendship Fountain Story

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Sat, 02 Sep 2006 12:38:00 +0000

To be or not to be: What will become of landmark Friendship Fountain?

It could be restored or be replaced, and that's what a consultant is working on.

By DAN SCANLAN, The Times-Union

Read the story here http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/090206/met_4780133.shtml

The construction service, engineering and consulting firm that was hired for this is HNTB. HNTB, which apparently designed local landmarks such as the Acosta, Fuller Warren and Dames Point bridges has offices here in Jacksonville.

Hntb
7077 Bonneval Rd
Jacksonville, FL 32216-6010
(904) 296-0207

-Bob

Email to the Mayor and City Council Members!

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 17:22:00 +0000

From: Bob Johnson
To: JPeyton@coj.net
Date: Sep 1, 2006 10:57 AM
Subject: Are the days now Numbered for Friendship Fountain?

Susie Wiles was quoted yesterday on a TV 4 news Article as follows:

"It can't be done at any kind of a reasonable cost," said Mayor's Office spokeswoman Susie Wiles."
http://www.news4jax.com/news/9771462/detail.html

This just 4 Months after Mayor Peyton stated "Friendship Fountain will be refurbished, not demolished." in an email to myself and other citizens.

My recollection of the History is that about 1.5 years ago it was discovered that the pumps operating the Center and inner rings had failed and either required replacement or repair. At the time a figure of $400,000 was bandied about.
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/081005/neR_19443892.shtml

Then after almost a year of apparent inaction in April 2006 a story surfaced about a possible demolition and replacement of friendship Park which would include am "Interactive water feature", the price then discussed was 3 million dollars. Public input was also promised.
http://www.news4jax.com/video/8613638/detail.html

Now 4 months later the Mayor's spokeswoman informs us that the Fountain is too broke to be fixed. I really wonder where the engineering studies are that support this after all the other renovations that have taken place in the last 8 or so years.

Has the City actually received a report from a qualified organization that has stated that repairing the Fountain is impossible? If so where can the Public view this report?

Has the City ever solicited Public Input after stating they would on a number of occasions? If so where were these public Meetings Posted?

What is the real reason the City wants to move Kids Park to the current site of Friendship Fountain? What are the plans for the land that Kids park currently occupies?

If anyone can provide answers to the above questions and inconsistencies in money being mentioned and timing I certainly would appreciate your input.

Thank you,
Bob Johnson
904-786-1712
1153 Denaud Street
Jacksonville, Fl, 32205

--
JaxFountain.com
Dedicated to showcasing and preserving Friendship Fountain
http://JaxFountain.com
http://FriendshipFountain.com
http://FriendshipFountain.net
--
JaxWeather.net
Jacksonville, Fl (Lakeshore, 32205) Local Weather
http://JaxWeather.net
--

Frienship Fountain's days numbered?

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 15:56:00 +0000

Due to recent events as uncovered by a TV 4 News report it appears that Friendship Fountain is in more danger then ever of being demolished and replaced.
http://www.news4jax.com/news/9771462/detail.html

As a result this page will be the Front page of the JaxFountain/FriendshipFountain web site to allow more frequent updates and comments to be posted by visitors. All comments are moderated for spam content only.

I will post more about the recent developments in the next day but for now let me just post this Quote from the above TV 4 News report...

"The city said it's too late to fix the Friendship Fountain, which was the highest fountain in the southeast when it was built in 1965. They also said it would cost too much to restore it to its former glory.

"It can't be done at any kind of a reasonable cost," said Mayor's Office spokeswoman Susie Wiles."

To visit the last front page of JaxFountain/Friendship Fountain please Click Here!

-Bob