Thinking Anew about Monroe Street and the Courthouse

[thelakelander]

This is unfortunate, but it's far from the worst thing that's been done downtown.

It's actually very critical to the future of that section of downtown how this space ultimately plays out.  Even if a road is built, it won't be a full block wide.  Thus, there is still going to be some sort of public plaza/green space (KBJ has the contract and it's already in design from what I've heard).  We just have to make sure its context sensitive and usable for the surrounding area.

[fieldafm]

It's actually very critical to the future of that section of downtown how this space ultimately plays out.

On the contrary, I think it is devastating to the area around the courthouse.. which is pretty much a blank slate now that all of the surrounding buildings have been destroyed.

The promise of creating a breathable, sustainable fabric of economic promise for potential surrounding small business owners(of which the city could be potential landlords to as this road will sit at the front door of potential retail parcels at the city-owned courthouse parking garage) is forever soiled with the rebuilding of the road.  You can thank Stephen for that description.

It is the final 'screw you' to Jacksonville from the outgoing Council... the worst sitting City Council in my lifetime.  Thank you Michael Corrigan, enjoy fattening up your pension on the taxpayer's dime.

The best thing Alvin Brown can do is to veto this legislation tomorrow.

restripping an existing lane of Monroe all the way through downtown for bicycle use wouldn't be too bad either.

Agreed, doing this would connect a bicycle pathway to the already funded multi-use path along Hogans Creek, with careful planning this could also connect to the S Line rails to trail bike path.  This loop would connect Durkeeville, Springfield, the Cathedral District and Sports District to the Riverwalk and straight through the heart of downtown. 

Why is it also so bad to extend the tree canopy from Hemming Plaza to a new public plaza at the courthouse?  This would give downtown TWO pedestrian centric arteries(Monroe and Laura). 

This abomination of a road destroys such promise.   

[jcjohnpaint]

and I know we will also pay for the street to be closed when somebody/s gets hit or there is another safety issue.  Pay to have it reopened and pay to have it closed.  This/ along with the TC is a disaster waiting to happen and we will pay for it.

[fieldafm]

Not only in regards to paying for it in the future... how are we going to pay for it now???

This is an unfunded, unecessary, unsafe road.  Period.

In a city facing a $60 million dollar budget shortfall next year(even more the year after next)... what library are we going to close to build an uneeded road?  What after school learning problem are you going to cut?  What taxpayer are you going to screw to build this?  Ask yourself what program are you going to cancel to build a road that endangers pedestrians and contributes to an unfriendly small business environment downtown?  Really, stand in the mirror and ask yourself that.  See how you look when you say it out loud.  Pretty silly sounding isn't it?

Better yet, stand on Monroe b/w 95 and the courthouse for half a day and count the cars coming down this street(better yet, cars that aren't coming in and out of Ted Pappas' building, which is half the traffic)  It's entertaining btw b/c motorists have an extremely confused look on their face when they realize a Roman colliseum was built in the middle of the road they are traveling down. 

If you can count more than 20 cars, I will pay for your half day away from work.  Now think about that traffic count and divide that by the cost of the road rebuilding project(remember you can't take money away from the already FUNDED public art money dedicated to the public plaza).

I think you'll find you will come up with a cost per motorist number that simply doesn't make fiscal sense.  From a motorist per dollar perspective, it would be more beneficial to widen a cul-de-sac road at Jax Golf and Country Club.  At least more cars would travel on that road and they have the added benefit of having speed bumps to encourage motorists not to run over kids playing in one's front yard.

[Ocklawaha]

Go ahead and abandon the park plan to a massive street, then lets close Adams and build the park anyway... across the street from the courthouse. Note too that it would create a one sided pedestrian mall in front of the law offices that front Adams today.l

OCKLAWAHA

[ricker]

so who else here thinks that more downtown streets should return to serving two-way traffic, before any reconstruction of Monroe Street should occur?

" jta running out of roadbuilding money "
Yet the multi kabillion $ court ranch needs a pick up and drop off lane.
Imho, restripe surrounding thoroughfares, adjust the traffic loops and signals accordingly, and see if any anticipated dangerous conditions may resolve themselves .

via simple ADA compliant curb and sidewalk transitions throughout.

[thelakelander]

^I agree.  In fact, I'd like to see the majority of the streets surrounding the courthouse property (Adams, Pearl, Duval, Monroe east of Pearl, etc.)  that we'll have to rebuild as a part of this project, turned into two way streets.