Hi
Back in June when all this started I had no expectations of what it would become, but I knew one thing. I wanted the author of UrbanJacksonville to be a mysterious entity. I wanted to give the appearance to readers that UrbanJacksonville was an organization with writers, photographers and editors. These plans quickly dissolved and the identity of UrbanJacksonville was revealed.
So now I want to come out from behind the curtain and say hello. My name is Joey Marchy. I am 28 and I live in Springfield. I grew up on the southside of Jacksonville and went to college at UNF. I am married and my wife and I just had a baby. In 2003 I left Jacksonville for Minneapolis. While in Minneapolis I saw what a great city was and I new Jacksonville could be a great city too. My 3 years in the midwest inspired me to start this blog.
What inspires me now is the potential of Downtown and Springfield. A national shift towards urbanization has focused attention on these once depressed areas. I want to be be part of the action and make a contribution to the revitalization of the urban core. Another motivation for revealing my already-common-knowledge identity is to build a more personal relationship with the readers. So if you see me out and about stop me and say hi. I want to know what you think.
Now to address my writing style. Why do you say
? Our original intention was to have network of contributors for the blog so we
when you writewe
would be more than one. That wish never materialized. We strongly believe the time will come, so in anticipation of having lots of contributors from around the city I will continue to use the plural writing style.
And now, on with the show.
Joey
You’re doing a great job…I love your blog and check it frequently throughout the day. You really have your finger on the pulse of downtown, and it keeps us in the know!
A devoted downtown resident/reader
Great comments. Reading your blog is required reading for me daily. Keep up the good work. Congrats on the baby. I applaud you for returning to your hometown to make it the place so many of us KNOW it CAN be. If we all keep up the good fight, we will succeed in making Jax the envy of the country.
You’ve got a great thing going and I’m happy to know you. though I’m still mad you scooped me on the 904 hip hop photo. Best to the fam. Dinoaur Jr in April. TA
The mystery is revealed hahaha.
That guy doesn’t look like he’s old enough to read or write, let alone stand on his own, but he’s quite the blogger so far.
Oh snap! Dinosaur Jr in April! You hear is here first!
It’s good of you to step out from behind the curtain and take credit for the excellent work you’re doing.
Like you, I’m from Jacksonville, left it for three years (law school in Tallahassee) and am back to make it better. I’m 29 — so I figure we have lots of time to see this city into its potential.
Keep up the great work! And congrats on the little one. Imagine the city our kids will inherit from all of our efforts.
jmidyette,
thank you very much and I never thought about the “children inheriting the city we are workign so hard to make a better place” angle. It’s a good one.
Joey,
Hey, contact me if you like: I might be able to help with your pronoun problem. I want to help turn your “me” into a “we.” OK, maybe not a “we,” maybe just a “you and I”, but “you and I” is closer to “we” than “me” ever was (!).
I’ll save the sales pitch for private, but email me-I’m recent Springfield also (East-si-EED!) and want to chat with you about how I might be able to contribute ..
Eesh. This feels like an awkward Amway sales pitch.
Great site-thank you.
Ed
ebittof@comcast.net
What a cutie! And you’re not so bad yourself :)
Now that I know you’re here with us on the blogsphere, you’ve got a new reader. Love the theme… had a geat time digging into the past posts & looking forward to the future! Nice to see someone with the drive and passion about our great city!
-AC [www.andrewconnell.com]
Hi:
Intresting site. I live in Chicago, and I’ve been exploring JAX as an investment option (for now, perhaps moving here later.) I do agree I think the city is under-rated and possibly poised for discovery by more northerns like myself….
I’m looking in springfield specifically, as the historical character is really appealing and proximity to downtown fantastic.
I’m looking at possibly purchasing a SFH or 2-unit and would want to rent it out for the time being. Is the rental market pretty good in the area? Any tips anyone would provide to a (small) investor in terms of specific areas/streets/properties in springfield (I’m going to be in town for a few days next weekend, 4/1 exploring.)
Thanks,
Maureen
Damnit! Wished I’d seen this particular page a month ago…just saw I missed Dinosaur Jr. here in Jax!!! Argh!!!
I have lived in Amsterdam Holland, Paris France and Boston and feel totallly what you are feeling about cities that can be designed/redeveloped well. It is fantastic to walk to the store and enjoy the neighborhood. I just finished a website for a developer who is rebuilding an old shoe factory in Springfield (LOFT style, restoring and enhancing the old charachter) http://www.springfieldartscenter.com. I was wondering if there are many more eforts like that around? It seems like the city is going in the right direction.
My personal website is http://www.ultimateorg.com if you want to contact me.
Keep up the good work!
Just found your site and I love it - Really well done, and honestly, cant say enough good things about what you are doing here.
If you are ever looking for other writers - I vote for me - I too think Jacksonville downtown can do great things.
-Megan C.