Strategies:

Growth Management

1. Maintain a proactive comprehensive plan and zoning code with infrastructure elements in alignment with Blueprint for Prosperity. Possible characteristics of the plan include:
   
   
   1. Infrastructure plans that consider level of service standards for: transportation (roads, mass transit, bikeways, sidewalks, parking, seaports, airport, waterways and rail), parks and recreation, schools, libraries, water, sewage, solid waste, drainage, environmental/conservation, commercial/industrial, housing, public safety, health care, government facilities, electric, communications and social services.
   2. A focus on eliminating infrastructure gaps in all neighborhoods, but with emphasis on northside, westside and high-poverty zip codes.
   3. Incorporate Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED).
   4. Town centers and neighborhood centers throughout the county. Linkages between the town centers and between each town center and its neighborhood centers. Linkages could include roads, as well as open space and walkways.
   5. Transportation that is an integrated, coordinated and interdependent network of all modes of movement.
   6. An expedited development and permitting process.
   7. Mixed-use development.
   8. Consideration for energy efficiency in all plans and elements.
   9. More downtown residents.
   10. More downtown jobs.
   11. Protection from inappropriate encroachment for our airports.
   12. Pedestrian and mass transit-friendly residential and business neighborhoods.
   13. Provisions to preserve our unique beauty, culture, architecture and heritage.
   14. Mixed income housing throughout the county.
   15. A fiscal impact model that includes infrastructure costs and 10-year operating costs for actual and projected projects by land use type to ensure economic sustainability. Update the model at least annually.
   16. Provisions that ensure that within 10 years, all gaps in infrastructure elements have been removed and that new growth in the aggregate is financially feasible for infrastructure costs and operating costs.
       
       
2. Encourage government to consider establishing a fair and sustainable funding source as a tool for financing infrastructure development needs attributed to residential and commercial growth.
   
   
3. Expand downtown safety, housing, business, commercial, education and destination opportunities. Attract regional residents and I-95 traffic to downtown Jacksonville.
   
   
4. Provide incentives and infrastructure for redevelopment in older neighborhoods including those in high-poverty zip codes.

Transportation (Refer to Infrastructure strategy #1.)

5. Improve public transportation. Possible action steps include:
   
   
   1. Decreasing commute time.
   2. Reducing limitations on employment for people without access to cars.
   3. Providing better transportation within downtown.
   4. Ensuring better connection to all areas of the county.
   5. Providing better transportation for the elderly and disabled.
   6. Increasing bus frequency.
   7. Utilizing express bus systems with transfers to smaller buses in residential and
      commercial neighborhoods.
   8. Maintaining an absolute adherence to transit schedules.
   9. Ensuring strategic and timely placement of light rail, transfer system, park and ride and mass transit to airport in regional transit.
   10. Providing protection from the elements at bus stops.
   11. Increasing the use of the skyway.
   12. Adopting a transfer system with one fare payment.
   13. Utilizing trolleys and shuttles.
   14. Becoming mass transit friendly.
       
       
6. Focus on moving people instead of vehicles. Develop ways to increase roadway efficiency including the following possibilities: carpooling incentives, high-occupancy vehicle lanes and bus lanes.
   
   
7. Develop a state-of-the-art traffic management system.
   
   
8. Reduce the time required for completion of road projects and build for future growth rather than after the fact.
   
   
9. Promote the development of safe sidewalks, walkways, bikeways and cart paths to link neighborhoods.
   
   
10. Build a high-speed interstate quality road connecting Jacksonville to the Gainesville Technology and Education Center.

Housing (Refer to Infrastructure strategy #1.)

11. Develop affordable housing for low- to mid-income levels, as well as the disabled and elderly dispersed throughout the community. Provide incentives and eliminate barriers to facilitate the building, rehabilitation and maintenance of affordable housing. (Refer to Quality of Life strategy #7 for the homeless)
    
    
12. Improve the ability of people to finance and retain their homes.
    
    
13. Promote the one-stop center to assist families in understanding eligibility, options and alternatives for all housing programs in the city.

Environment And Beauty (Refer to Infrastructure strategy #1.)

14. Make the St. Johns River the focal point for residents and tourists. Protect the river, our underground aquifer and our natural resources. Maintain water quality, visibility and access to the river, intercoastal waterway and ocean.
    
    
15. Enforce environmental regulations fairly and equitably.
    
    
16. Maintain the natural beauty, charm and character of our surroundings through:
    
    
    1. Increasing recycling.
    2. Reducing litter.
    3. Conserving high-quality open space.
    4. Focusing on energy and water conservation.
    5. Increasing our tree cover.
    6. Building and maintaining sidewalks.
       
       
17. Consider the "Broken Window Theory" and encourage citizens to keep neighborhoods clean and safe.
    
    
18. Maintain air quality.

Technology and Utilities (Refer to Infrastructure strategy #1.)

19. Develop and maintain a globally competitive technology system that links Duval County businesses and residents internally and to the world. Ensure coverage of the entire county including downtown.
20. Consider alternative energy sources and maintain a stable electric supply

Code Enforcement

21. Increase priority (funding/staff/enforcement) to recognize that code enforcement is a visible measurement of the city's commitment to quality of life. Ensure that code enforcement results in a safe, nuisance-free environment.

Historic Preservation

22. Develop historic preservation as a tool of government that promotes community identity and involvement.