Metro Jacksonville Rail Plan Already Spurring Development?

[southerngirl]

I have been reading the post from the folks who live in the neighborhood that runs behind this proposed development and it amazes me how they are balking at it. What would they rather have streetwalkers and closed down businesses or a thriving development that would actually help to increase thier property values and give them better access to transit and possibly retail.  Sometimes people amaze me at their shortsightedness.

"Shortsightedness?"  Sounds like a developer to me.  "Take what we're giving you...it's better than the prostitutes..."  Prove to me that this development is going to transform Philips and I might be more inclined to throw more support to it.

As is, I'm not opposing the development -- I'm simply asking that its impact be CAREFULLY CONSIDERED relative to the stable neighborhoods near it.

And...just where do you think the prostitutes are going to move to? Take the BRT out to the 'burbs that will no be vacant because everyone has rediscovered the urban core?

Out of curiosity: FSUJAX -- do you live on a neighborhood street?  If so, how would you like it if the city turned it into a major transit artery to benefit developers?  Wouldn't you want some measures taken to ensure the safety of your family and property?

[fsujax]

I happen to live in Springfield and would love to have a development like this along one of our main arteries.

[southerngirl]

I happen to live in Springfield and would love to have a development like this along one of our main arteries.

There's a difference between having a development RUN along an EXISTING main artery and forcing small streets into becoming main arteries.

That's all I'm saying.

[thelakelander]

The simple solution is to just close the River Oaks railroad crossing and ditch the insane idea of building a dedicated busway in people's backyards along the FEC corridor.  It would also be good for the developer/city to get out an engage the community early on in the process.  From my experience, projects that tend to do this, end up being much better in the long run. 

[Eros Faust]

Allow me to ask a basic question. 

Is this the right time to be adding  700 units of housing  to Jacksonville?  Everyone in the country seems to agree that we have a glut of housing,.  Everyone seems to agree that we have a mortgage crisis.  It is estimated to be between $300 billion (Treasury Department's estimate) and $1.5 trillion (NYU economist Nouriel Roubini's estimate) of mortgage foreclosures coming.

So,  where is Firststar (btw,  is Firststar Steve Cissel from PVB?) getting  the money?  If they don't have financing,  can they get it?  Can they complete this project if they start it,  and if they can't,  will this prime piece of real estate end up as a HUD project owned by the City of Jacksonville?   What if they build these 700 units and can't fill them with young urban professionals?  Who moves in then?

[thelakelander]

Allow me to ask a basic question. 

Is this the right time to be adding  700 units of housing  to Jacksonville?  Everyone in the country seems to agree that we have a glut of housing,.  Everyone seems to agree that we have a mortgage crisis.  It is estimated to be between $300 billion (Treasury Department's estimate) and $1.5 trillion (NYU economist Nouriel Roubini's estimate) of mortgage foreclosures coming.

Yes, its a great time.  It would be one thing if the housing was being added to the Gate Parkway area, but its planned in a location that does not have adaquate supply for the intended target market.

So,  where is Firststar (btw,  is Firststar Steve Cissel from PVB?) getting  the money?  If they don't have financing,  can they get it?  Can they complete this project if they start it,  and if they can't,  will this prime piece of real estate end up as a HUD project owned by the City of Jacksonville?   What if they build these 700 units and can't fill them with young urban professionals?  Who moves in then?

Serious doubt it ends up as HUD housing or in City of Jacksonville ownership.  If the developer can't get financing to pull off the rental project, the land will most likely sit empty (ex. JEA property, the St. John Tower site, etc.), or they'll flip it to another developer. 

[downtownparks]

I happen to live in Springfield and would love to have a development like this along one of our main arteries.

There's a difference between having a development RUN along an EXISTING main artery and forcing small streets into becoming main arteries.

That's all I'm saying.

Isnt this project planned along Phillps Highway? What makes you think this will add burden to any of the back streets?

[thelakelander]

Nearby residents are concerned because the preliminary sketch shows River Oaks Road becoming part of an improve secondary access point to the site.

[Joe]

What if they build these 700 units and can't fill them with young urban professionals?  Who moves in then?

I'd really love to hear some elaboration on this point from the River Oaks residents. More than one person (on this forum and the TU forum) has argued that this is about more than just traffic. It seems like some people really hate the idea of multfamily housing, regardless of whether the traffic is mitigated or not.

[RiversideGator]

I think it is clear that they are concerned that the multi-family will eventually turn into slum housing.  This fear is not without some merit frankly given the location.  The developers should try to reassure the current residents that this is not what will happen.

[thelakelander]

The area is already a slum.  Just about anything you put there is going to be an improvement.  A mixed use development, such as Jackson Square would increase the entire area's property values, if pulled off right.  I really think everyone involved with this project need to make a valid effort to work with the community to make sure their concerns are addressed.

[tufsu1]

What if they build these 700 units and can't fill them with young urban professionals?  Who moves in then?

I'd really love to hear some elaboration on this point from the River Oaks residents. More than one person (on this forum and the TU forum) has argued that this is about more than just traffic. It seems like some people really hate the idea of multfamily housing, regardless of whether the traffic is mitigated or not.

An interesting thought about multi-family housing...

Folks in single family neighborhoods are often scared about the "criminals" that live in apartments....of course, almost every one of us has lived in apartments at one point or another.....and are we all criminals?

[Coolyfett]

The area is already a slum.  Just about anything you put there is going to be an improvement.  A mixed use development, such as Jackson Square would increase the entire area's property values, if pulled off right.  I really think everyone involved with this project need to make a valid effort to work with the community to make sure their concerns are addressed.

I agree with Lake...there are about 3 projects over in that area, from the looks of the map I guess those places are being torn down. Those people will either move further south on Philips or east toward Atlantic-Beach splitter.

[Captain Zissou]

I don't believe that the area will fall into decay, assuming it gets built, it is priced towards professionals, and at least the idea of rail transit continues to press forward.  If the project ends up half built (The Coves on baymeadows), it's doomed to become a drug/crime/terrorist haven that everyone fears.  If rail transit fades, it will turn into an OP/Mandarin/anywhere USA type of neighborhood.  If the rates fall enough for a rougher crowd to move in, it could lose its luster.  If East San Marco comes through and Jackson Square starts well, i see no reason for it to do poorly.

[thelakelander]

Imo, the existing single family home residences are more likely to develop into slums, than this new development (if built).  Assuming the River Oaks crossing stays open, are there other traffic calming devices that can be put in place (if it is proven that there's a traffic increase on the street).  Also, what are the other concerns that nearby residents have with this development?

I guess what I'm getting at, is can nearby neighborhoods and this development co-exist with some concessions or do residents want to flat out keep it out of the corridor, hell or high water?