Why Monroe Street Should Not be Rebuilt

[Dashing Dan]

I plan to be there.

[Ralph W]

I recall that the decision makers recently walked through the site to get a feel for the project - public mall or public street.

If any of them had an ounce of gray matter that wasn't as cluttered, blocked and dangerous as a new Monroe Street would be there should be no question that the vote would go to: MALL!

[Dashing Dan]

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/403455/steve-patterson/2011-06-20/jacksonville-council-panel-rejects-monroe-street

[thelakelander]

Wow, that came up pretty quietly.  One can only wonder why our downtown is so screwed up.  Well this Monroe Street/Courthouse debacle is a great example.  Let's at least hope the thing can be designed in a context sensitive manner to keep pedestrians from getting mowed over.

[Dashing Dan]

The only way to make it context sensitive would be to restrict that part of the thoroughfare to pedestrians only.  Not such a wild idea really. 

It's generally passe these days, but  over the past 30 years plenty of downtown streets have been designated for NO auto traffic.

[Captain Zissou]

A quote from the TU:

Westsiders appreciate the entry way to Downtown staying open. Sad the outgoing Mayor was so out of touch with the people from the Westside.

Conservative Westsider

Yes, quite sad that our old mayor didn't pander to the Westside.  The post below it was actually wonderful.  There is no reason whatsoever to re-open the street.  Jack Webb is trying to fast track a lot of issues and not necessarily for the best interests of the city, in my opinion. I'm not sure his motive, but I don't love the way it looks.

[thelakelander]

this isnt the final vote though, is it?

No.  The final vote will go before council next week.

[Dashing Dan]

A quote from the TU:

Westsiders appreciate the entry way to Downtown staying open. Sad the outgoing Mayor was so out of touch with the people from the Westside.

Conservative Westsider

"staying open" ?  What about the very large building that is blocking the way?

[Ajax]

Don't they realize that by not building the road they would save money?  Who doesn't want to be the City Councilmember who votes to save the city some money by not spending it on an idiotic and unnecessary project? 

[thelakelander]

They don't care about saving money.  A lot of the proponents of building a new Monroe Street have this position because it's the opposite of what mayor and JEDC want.

[Dashing Dan]

I doubt that this piece of thoroughfare will ever actually be built, so I doubt that very much money will either be saved or wasted.  This looks more like saving face or passing the buck or something.

[thelakelander]

I hope you're right.

[Dashing Dan]

I hope so too. 

It's mainly that when I look at where it's supposed to go, it is impossible for me to visualize this project

[jcjohnpaint]

I think that this decision is so asinine.  If we want to know what is wrong with downtown look at the council members who voted to have this street kept open.  Get rid of them and things will begin to progress.  What is funny is that the tax payers will pay to have the street reopened for what ever reason/ someone will get hit and then we will pay for it to be closed as originally planned. 

[thelakelander]

Pretty much.  One can only wonder why we have a +$60 million budget deficit.  If it does get built, I can see it being shut down soon after the courthouse opens due to security reasons.  At that point, I guess it will be an expensive pedestrian promenade designed to handle arterial auto/truck traffic.