TU kickbacks article

[fsujax]

well, we had a plan and a funding mechanism to help alleviate some of the traffic, congestion, parking concerns. the City Council snubbed their noses at it, including the Rep from that area. So, they should be venting at him over this!

[thelakelander]

well, we had a plan and a funding mechanism to help alleviate some of the traffic, congestion, parking concerns. the City Council snubbed their noses at it, including the Rep from that area. So, they should be venting at him over this!

Vocally advocating the elimination of the mobility fee moratorium this year is probably one of the most cost effective and least time consuming options to obtain funds to address dealing with alternative forms of mobility (transit, bike, pedestrian, etc.) in Riverside/Avondale.  If there are questions or fears about certain forms of mobility and their impact on the surrounding environment, now is certainly the time to at seriously research and address these items.

[MusicMan]

I live 3 blocks away and there ae always spots available on King Street. ALWAYS!!

That being said it would suck to have someone choose to park in your yard.

Here is a do-able solution. Have First Guaranty offer their lot as a central parking spot on weekends, service it with bicycle  powered people movers for those who do not want to walk, and have those people movers serve the entire district, from Kickbacks to pele's Wood Fire, and every bar or eating establishment in between. The bars pay the base fee for the cyclists and they pedal for tips. PROBLEM SOLVED.

[Gonzo]

Believe me I harbor no delusions about Jacksonville as a "pastoral, quiet little town".  While I wholeheartedly agree that we need truly multimodal transportation, I was on the steering committee for the Riverside Avondale Zoning Overlay and bring that knowledge, as well as my experiences as a resident of the greater Park & King area to the table.  Parking was not an issue when this area developed, but it is now.  The Overlay is far from perfect, I recognize that, but it is also clear that new commercial construction triggers the need to address parking. 

As a member of said steering committee, what then is your recommendation? Surface parking is ugly and would use up land suited for other purposes. Building multi-story garages do not fit either. Changing the configuration of the exisiting parking to nose in rather than parallel will cause the street to become narrower. What is the solution?

Stopping progress just stunts the forward momentum of the city. For an area to remian vibrant it must have an influx of new and desired businesses. The desire must come from outside the neighborhood because the neighborhood by itself cannot sustain the business.

Consider this; would Orsay survive without patrons from outsdie the neighborhood? Would O' Brother's, Mossfire, Pele's, Carmine's, Mojo's? How did thye deal with parking issues -- and don't give me that "the overlay doesn't apply to them crap." That's a cop-out. The letter of the law may say they are exempt but I would wager that there are neighbors around Avondale that don't really like the added traffic Mojo's has brought, the people parking on the side  streets -- which are considerably narrower, or the late night whiskey drinkers.

So, tell us, what do you propose?

[cline]

well, we had a plan and a funding mechanism to help alleviate some of the traffic, congestion, parking concerns. the City Council snubbed their noses at it, including the Rep from that area. So, they should be venting at him over this!

Vocally advocating the elimination of the mobility fee moratorium this year is probably one of the most cost effective and least time consuming options to obtain funds to address dealing with alternative forms of mobility (transit, bike, pedestrian, etc.) in Riverside/Avondale.  If there are questions or fears about certain forms of mobility and their impact on the surrounding environment, now is certainly the time to at seriously research and address these items.

We just recently had to vocally advocate passing the mobility fee then while the approval ink is still wet the Council passes the moratorium and now we have to vocally advocate lifting the moratorium.  It is more than a little frustrating and is clear who is pulling the strings.

As an aside: does any one have any photos available of people parking in front of any driveways they could post?

[thelakelander]

^It does suck but that's the state of local politics in a city that tends to hover a decade behind its peers in addressing these types of issues.

[BridgeTroll]

The neighborhood was never originally designed for cars, it was designed for street cars. 

While this is true and undeniable... it is also true and undeniable that there is not and there has not been streetcars for what... a hundred years?  Since the demise of the streetcars the 'hood has changed a bit.  To restore the original historic density without addressing the fact that the 'hood has changed is clearly causing issues that need to be addressed.  To simply say to the residents... "too bad" is short sighted, counter productive and will lead to stiffer more organized and vocal opposition to the goal we are all seeking... which is a dense, walkable, neighborhood destination.

this is dumb.  in reality, a group of residents simply changed the rules of engagement less than three years ago, and are now trying to enforce a pretty stretched definition of those changed rules on the commercial real estate.  Are you suggesting that we are to say to the commercial landowners 'too bad' instead?

Sounds nice and fair.

Just as dumb Stephen... since that is not what I said. 

An acknowledgement that the residents have legitimate concerns would be a good starting point.  One group should not have to lose to the other.  Parking issues amongst other are a legitimate concern for the folks who have lived in the area since there have not been streetcars and certainly needs to be addressed for the benefit of the businesses and the residents.

im sorry, did the tow truck companies go out of business or something?  The entire city owns those parking spaces on the streets, bridge troll.

If a car is improperly parked, blocking access to a driveway, do what the rest of this great nation does.  Have it towed.

What other 'concerns' about parking do you think people are entitled to have? 

Do you think its a right to have a parking spot ready for you at a business four blocks away?

Here is an example... my wife and I went to Carmines a few weeks back.  It was pretty early but parking was already filled up.  We proceeded to park on the street in front of Carmines off of King.  it is a small residential street and we found a good spot a block or two up the street.  Walked to Carmines and stayed later than we usually do.  When we walked back to the car... BOTH side of this small street were crowded with cars many of which were entirely or partially blocking driveways.  Additionally... with cars parked on both side of this street it was impossible for two cars to use the road at one time... not to mention pedestrians who were walking down the street.  So while the vast majority of cars were parked "legally" the sheer number made the road nearly impassable and effectively a one way street for whoevers car was in the street first.  I suppose there were three or four "illegally" parked cars blocking or partially blocking access to driveways.  Add a tow truck to the mix and the street is now completely impassable.

I support ALL the businesses on King Street.  The exception being Pele's because it has just opened and I want to give them time to shake things out.

[cline]

The letter of the law may say they are exempt but I would wager that there are neighbors around Avondale that don't really like the added traffic Mojo's has brought, the people parking on the side  streets -- which are considerably narrower, or the late night whiskey drinkers.

I believe this is one of the weaknesses of the Overlay- the fact that the re-use of an existing building is excepted from the parking requirements that are applied to new construction.  For example, when the corner of Park & King functioned as a pharmacy it generated far less traffic (trip generation) and thus less parking.  Now that it is a restaurant (Pele's) it generates far greater traffic and thus greater parking.  However, it was not required to add parking.  The change in the establishment had a tremendous effect on parking demand, yet I do not recall hearing the same complaints about it

[Lunican]

If we aren't going to seriously consider anything but the automobile in Jacksonville's future, then the only practical solution is a SONIC®, America's Drive-In®. Plenty of parking and the feeding tube goes right into the front window.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Mmmmmm.  All I see is the side of a Firehouse Subs.

[north miami]

And who is to conduct,pay for routine predictive 'misbehaviour' that become a designed norm??

Doesn't seem like one of America's "Best Places".

Poking around the neighborhood,really looking,watching (Dellwood West!) it occurs to me that in fact it was good that I did not purchase in the immediate area after a concerted late 80's era search,and that the surrounding neighborhoods are indeed in need of an uplift-perhaps instilled by Commercial resurgence but certainly not a kick in the ass.

[north miami]

The letter of the law may say they are exempt but I would wager that there are neighbors around Avondale that don't really like the added traffic Mojo's has brought, the people parking on the side  streets -- which are considerably narrower, or the late night whiskey drinkers.

I believe this is one of the weaknesses of the Overlay- the fact that the re-use of an existing building is excepted from the parking requirements that are applied to new construction. 

At the conclusion of Overlay proceedings RAP officially stated that there were elements not pleasing.The spirit of Consensus!!

During Overlay workshop,and a matter of record,citizens overwhelmingly "Visioned" transformation of the commercial sectionfronting Fishweir Creek(Loop restaurant et al)as public park space.Commercial interests can be smug and assured considering decades of expansion and certain checks and balances,Overlay predetermined outcome,balance.


The proceedings,and template  reminded me of Clay County Sector Plan/Beltway proceedings....an uncanny resemblance.

[north miami]

that's right, just a pretender!!

there are jogs in the Beltway route/ Ravines/Reinhold/Ring Power as  testimony to my pretense.
Why not interject Roundabout in to the Walkable,Sustainable narrative,you will then take on the Complete Beltway Sector Plan/Beltway mantra.....already you remind me as if Reinhold Sector Plan Beltway Booster.But you will not yank the Vision Map crayon from many hands.The mere  'pretender' charge reveals volumes.

MJ after all "so Jacksonville".

Stephen meets Mayberry head on.

l

[JeffreyS]

Welcome to Oakleaf I mean Riverside.  The sad part is how many people wish that was how you should describe Riverside.

[north miami]

Welcome to Oakleaf I mean Riverside.  The sad part is how many people wish that was how you should describe Riverside.

Some of 'them',Clay County Sector Plan citizen participants,did refer to "Just Like Avondale".Matter of public record.
(some folks really squirm with this 'matter of record stuff...)

inevitable that RAP would emerge front and center,and MJ sidelined, that is how Inevitable Growth 'works'.