A Public Square for San Marco

Started by Metro Jacksonville, November 09, 2012, 11:55:41 AM

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dougskiles

#15
November 09, 2012, 05:07:08 PM
Quote from: Captain Zissou on November 09, 2012, 04:32:49 PM
Are there plans for tables and chairs?  It would be nice to grab a sub at Firehouse and take it out to the park for lunch.

Depends on how much money we raise.  Initially, it will be an open public space with some benches and trees.  Eventually, I hope we can have an outdoor cafe vibe where people get food and take it to the park to enjoy.  Logistically, we would have to figure out how to handle the tables so they don't get in the way of the larger events we want to host (like the art shows).  We want to start slow so that we can see how the space evolves organically.  Personally, I prefer the less is more approach with public spaces.  The people filling the park will be infinitely more interesting than the fixtures (and more valuable to the businesses in the Square).

exnewsman

#16
November 09, 2012, 05:36:01 PM
Nice work. This will be a great addition.

Noone

#17
November 09, 2012, 06:04:50 PM
Congratulations Doug and all involved. Very exciting project for the community.

tufsu1

#18
November 09, 2012, 09:01:43 PM
TransForm Jax was honored to be involved in this project...great job by Doug Skiles in getting this from concept to construction so quickly!

blandman

#19
November 10, 2012, 08:16:56 AM
Great news! I've always hated that the center piece of San Marco "Square" was isolated by traffic. I'm asking for a bike rack with my name on it for Christmas!

urbanlibertarian

#20
November 10, 2012, 09:36:07 AM
Quote from: dougskiles on November 09, 2012, 05:07:08 PM
Quote from: Captain Zissou on November 09, 2012, 04:32:49 PM
Are there plans for tables and chairs?  It would be nice to grab a sub at Firehouse and take it out to the park for lunch.

Depends on how much money we raise.  Initially, it will be an open public space with some benches and trees.  Eventually, I hope we can have an outdoor cafe vibe where people get food and take it to the park to enjoy.  Logistically, we would have to figure out how to handle the tables so they don't get in the way of the larger events we want to host (like the art shows).  We want to start slow so that we can see how the space evolves organically.  Personally, I prefer the less is more approach with public spaces.  The people filling the park will be infinitely more interesting than the fixtures (and more valuable to the businesses in the Square).

Tables and chairs?  I think we all know what that would lead to.  Yes, chess, checkers and card games in a park/plaza.  Unacceptable! ;-)
Sed quis custodiet ipsos cutodes (Who watches the watchmen?)

blfair

#21
November 10, 2012, 12:09:34 PM
This is awesome... Just what the square needs!

Jason

#22
November 12, 2012, 11:57:56 AM
Absolutely fantastic idea!

And maybe the adjacent restaraunts could team up to offer temporary seating in the park when the weather is right.  Or they could simply put some of their own seating in designated areas for their customers? 

Miss Fixit

#23
November 12, 2012, 12:19:56 PM
Wow - beautiful work.  Congratulations to everyone on that impressive team. Great model for other neighborhoods to follow (Doug, you know I'm going to be hitting you up for suggestions soon!).

Spence

#24
November 18, 2012, 04:39:10 AM
While this IS with certainty a fantastic element of the SanMarco Blvd redesign, it isn't really news, nor was it ever a secret.
What I do wonder about is why so many folks remained so quiet for so long about such an exciting park expansion.
Why is the world full of humans a lot less friendly than we ought to be?

dougskiles

#25
November 18, 2012, 07:16:16 AM
We didn't want to count chickens before they hatched.  Perhaps an even better way to describe it is that we didn't want to expose the eggs to unneeded danger before they hatched.

I'm glad you like the plan.  Come to the San Marco Art Festival if you want to learn more about it.  We have a booth near the Lions with order forms for the donor bricks.

thelakelander

#26
November 18, 2012, 08:21:10 AM
I saw Doug working hard yesterday from across the way.  I was over at San Marco Books doing a book signing for them.  Planning to head back over there in another hour or so.
"A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life." - Muhammad Ali

scottjsmith

#27
November 27, 2012, 01:09:37 PM
Since there's already going to be a great call of work on the area, why not also close Balis Steet and make San Marco eastbound only to Hendricks?  Would be smoother flow than the proposal, and allow the district to extend the green area a little more.

Captain Zissou

#28
November 27, 2012, 02:21:52 PM
Balis is an important through street considering it connects with San Marco Place and Carlo street.  This would also cut off access to the big parking lot behind the fire station for southbound traffic, which would meet some opposition..  If you get rid of Balis, then you should get rid of Alford between SMB and Hendricks.

tufsu1

#29
November 27, 2012, 02:25:51 PM
Quote from: scottjsmith on November 27, 2012, 01:09:37 PM
Since there's already going to be a great call of work on the area, why not also close Balis Steet and make San Marco eastbound only to Hendricks?  Would be smoother flow than the proposal, and allow the district to extend the green area a little more.

and how would you propose people go west?
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