(05-08-2022, 08:09 AM)Sneakers Wrote:

(05-07-2022, 12:21 PM)homebiscuit Wrote: This is good news. If you look at the comments sections of local news stories, it's appalling how many Shad Khan haters there are in Jacksonville. Some base it strictly on the Jaguars. Others just want this city to remain a backwater in order to cater to their desire to live small simple lives. 

They should build the Sail. I think this would be a great identity for Jacksonville and I've loved it ever since first seeing it. 

Do you really believe there are so many who hate Kahn?  I think this sentiment gets somewhat overstated.  Personal hate and criticism of how he manages the organization are two very different things.

Anyone is free to spend their own money on development.  Asking the city for financial commitments is another matter and entitles taxpayers to a voice.  Expressing disagreement about the economic impact of said development is part of the process.  Personally, I'm not against municipal involvement, but there are valid concerns to address when considering the viability of projects in that portion of the city.

Haters is a stronger term than I should have used but the fact of the matter is there is a sizable amount of people in this city who automatically denounce any project that may have Shad Khan's name attached. They use any excuse from the Jaguars win/loss record to the fact he's just some wealthy guy trying to ruin their idea of a quaint city. Jacksonville lags behind the rest of Florida because so many in this city are afraid of change and even more afraid that a project might cost them an additional $10.50 a year in taxes. Couple that with a city council which has members that vote against a project simply because they can gloat that they thwarted a billionaire's plans.  

Jacksonville is largely a backwater because too many here have a backwater attitude. It has tons of potential occupied by too many who are unwilling to pursue it. Of course, there are valid concerns to address but some don't want to address them at all.  Brian Kilmeade was right.

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