Question: Do you think Mayor John Peyton’s Jacksonville Journey initiative will be an asset to the local real estate market?
“I believe any initiative that the citizens of the City of Jacksonville will support will have a positive impact. Any progress the City makes toward increasing opportunities for the youth of Jacksonville will have an impact on violent crime in the long run. The key is having people who care that are engaged - i.e., Tony Boselli - both personally and financially. The issues our City faces did not come about overnight and solutions should be geared toward long term goals.”
-Jeffrey L. Evans, Colliers Dickinson, Inc.
“No, I do not. I do not think that the proposed implementation of the final recommendation of the Journey is going to have much of an effect at all on real estate. I am very happy there is planned additional police presence, as I am a strong law and order guy (as in arrest them and put them away for a long time). It is possible that if there were significantly increased police presence in ‘the hood’ it might be easier for certain people to consider buying in certain neighborhoods.”
-Sam Harrison, Point To Point Realty
“Anything to lower the crime rate in Jacksonville is a good thing for real estate. Vacant homes bring crime. Lower crime rates attract people to live in safe cities. However, only adding more police officers to the streets will not stop crime. There is a growing gang issue as well as high school dropout rates in Duval to 46 percent and still growing. These young people will not be able to get employment and some will resort to crime. Mental health issues are a large factor in regards to growing crime increases. The Journey, now a foundation, can be funded financially by corporations and individuals. The Journey can also partner with other 501(c)(3) and faith initiatives to rage the war against crime.”
-Theresa Graham, Weichert Realtors 1st Coast
”Absolutely! When you look at the companies and individuals that are working with this project, it is impressive. Our city gets a bad rap constantly in both local and national media and it is great to finally have positive news to give to our clients.”
-Judy K. Hicks, Re/Max Coastal Real Estate
“I think any plan that is effective in cutting down on crime in Jacksonville will be an asset to the real estate market as well as to the city. The problem, however, is two-fold. One, which plan is the best? The Boston model seems to have been very successful, and this seems to be the model Jacksonville Journey wants to emulate. If it works, that’s great. Two, how is it to be paid for? This is, of course, where everybody disagrees. Like other community services, no one wants to be taxed for it. But the money has to come from somewhere. It’s a question of priorities. While money is not the only answer to social problems, no program can succeed without it. So if we want a safer community, we’ll have to bite the bullet and find the money.”
-Ben Walker, Country Club Real Estate of Ponte Vedra
“I don’t see how it can hurt, but I also don’t see how it will make much of a difference either. I guess if Jacksonville is a safer city more people will want to live here, but that’s a real thin argument for helping this real estate market.”
-Jim Citrano, CB Richard Ellis