Bay Street Station piques interest of DDRB

[Steve]

Everyone involved insists the proposed Bay Street Station project that will most assuredly serve as the catalyst for the redevelopment of LaVilla is not another one of “those” projects. You know, the kind that are courteous of an out-of-town developer who talks a big game and doesn’t make good.


http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=49619

[Steve]

“Our development, with the exception of the Amtrak portion, is north of their development,” said JTA spokesman Mike Miller.

I see they are so into Commuter Rail

[thelakelander]

Langton said the idea behind the project is to build a “transit-oriented development” â€" one that will complement JTA’s planned multi-modal transportation center that incorporates the Osborn Center, Amtrak, Greyhound and all of JTA’s transportation options. “We want to take the top off the Jefferson Street Skyway station and build over it. We are working closely with JTA to build a transit access village.”

Ock will like this.  It could be JTA's first true transit oriented development.  Hopefully, everything works out for the best.

[vicupstate]

is there anyway to enlarge the rendering.  It too small to really see anything.  I'd like to know if the theater and/or hotel operaqtors have been signed yet. 

[thelakelander]

We're working to get a copy of the information that was submitted to the DDRB.  Once in hand, we'll upload the site plan and elevations to the website.

[Jason]

Looks good to me!  I just hope that city pushes this thing through and doesn't hold anything up.

[Coolyfett]

Wow!! interesting. I hope Jacksonville gets this. Be another reason for the folks to come Downtown. I'm assuming the Jefferson Street Station will be renamed Bay Street Station....which actually makes more sense. And here I was saying Jefferson/Bay Station was one of the weaker stations on the track DOH!!. Good Stuff Steve.

[JeffreyS]

And we should put a big convention center where the BRT station is slated. Once we crush that BS JTA BRT into  history. Viva LaVilla.

[thelakelander]

Here's a few renderings.  We'll put together a larger collection for view next week.

[Jason]

Looks good.  I think the architecture actually fits the usage.  It looks very festive and alive.

[thelakelander]

It wouldn't hurt if the super block structure were broken up into the dimensions of three city blocks to enhance pedestrian movement at streetlevel.  However, although it looks very preliminary, its a pretty urban footprint and the mix of uses will enhance the connection between the Prime Osborn and the rest of the downtown core.

[Ocklawaha]

Finally, someone that is going to make the buildings blend with our glorious past. I LOVE IT. Working the Skyway INTO the building, and or building over and around the Skyway line is the way to go for Monorail transit.

Lastly, add streetcar or trolley to the downtown play area's and this place will take off like moodys goose. This is a sweet plan.

Ocklawaha

[thelakelander]

After reviewing the plan, the building does not go over the skyway, but it does directly connect to it, which is a good thing.  Plans also show a streetcar/light rail line running down the center of Water Street with a stop at development's main lobby area.

[Jason]

Even better.  Do you think this is just a suggestion or are these developers pushing for more/better transit downtown?  Could they be working with the JTA?

[thelakelander]

I think it could be a mix of both.  However, we have to continue to push, educate and convince JTA, City government and the public to move forward with better transit options, than to rely totally on the FTA as a funding source. 

I'm starting to believe, if there were a vision in place that people could get behind, many of these developers would be willing to help financially support such a plan, which would reduce our reliance on the FTA.