Brooklyn Retail Project Revised Again

[thelakelander]

The impact of awnings, canopies and shade trees work in a tropical climate is amazing for walkability.









Those awnings aren't there because its South Beach. They protect pedestrians from the natural elements. DT Jax should try.

[JaxNative68]

I am very displeased with this site plan.  Is it just me or should this site be a three to four story mixed use development?

[Kerry]

I guess I will have to agree with the last page of posts in that the site plan is less than stellar.  If any good news can come out of it, it is that it takes up vacant land in an area that has a finite amount of land to begin with.  At some point a future developer will need revisit these parking lots as the area urbanizes.  Alas, it isn't like Riverside Drive as currently configured is going to be a large pedestrian-friendly corridor anyhow.

[BoldBoyOfTheSouth]

It's too suburban.

Why can't people understand that those of us attracted to urban and downtown neighborhoods with money to spend want an urban environment built on a human scale.

If I wanted to live/shop/dine in this suburban style then I would have moved to the St Johns Town Center.

The incompetence of the Jax political and business leaders never ceases to amaze me.

[Kay]

Perhaps you can email the Mayor about the concerns on this project and include photos of what could be?  What if some of you set up a meeting with Regency as well and try to influence the project?

[JeffreyS]

I think we are past that point. There has been over a year of productive influence on this project. No it isn't downtown Chicago but it can fit into the area even if the area becomes maor walkable. ( as we hope)

[ben says]

Listen, it is what it is.

No amount of protesting/emailing/bitching/moaning is going to change the sight plan.

This is another cautionary tale for Jax.

The only thing we can do now is to work for changing the future.

When is someone from the MJ boards going to run for office?

[thelakelander]

Construction has already started. The time for site design changes was when the DDRB reviewed and approved it last year. With that said, the original plan they had was a lot worse. CVS dropping out, resulted in several restaurants/storefronts being moved closer to Riverside Avenue.

[fieldafm]

Perhaps you can email the Mayor about the concerns on this project and include photos of what could be?  What if some of you set up a meeting with Regency as well and try to influence the project?

That ship has sailed.

Like Lake mentions, the site plan is much better without the suburban CVS that was proposed.

And the apartment design is also much better than the fenced-in suburban fortress initially introduced.

[Bridges]

And the apartment design is also much better than the fenced-in suburban fortress initially introduced.

Didn't DDRB approve that design, but the developer decided against it in the end?

[thelakelander]

No. The new multifamily residential developer scrapped the bad plan previously approved by the DDRB, in favor of building something 100% better in its place.

[JaxArchitect]

The impact of awnings, canopies and shade trees work in a tropical climate is amazing for walkability.

Those awnings aren't there because its South Beach. They protect pedestrians from the natural elements. DT Jax should try.

Lake's right, it's amazing how many developments in Jax get this wrong and don't plan for a little shade.  Then again, most "outdoor cafes" in Jax are smack dab in the middle of a suburban parking lot....at least these are fronting a sidewalk/street, so that's an improvement.  One of the best in our area is Hovan due to the large oak trees.  Let's hope they get some trees and shade into the final plans, otherwise those poor patrons are gonna cook in the heat.

[fieldafm]

I believe the only trees to be planted are palm trees and crap myrtles.

[JaxNative68]

I'm just disappointed in the number of front yards on this stretch of Riverside Avenue - Haskell, the Fidelity complex, the old St. Joe building, BlueCross, the new YMCA is going that route and this project.  Zero setback lot lines are for a reason, to create a streetscape, why can't DDRB push for urban design/development in these areas?  They seem very contradictory in what they approve from project to project.  I thought this area was supposed to be one of the new gateways to the city.  Why are we treating it like it's a typical suburban sprawl development.  EverBank Plaza and 220 Riverside are the only two projects close to getting it right in this area.  Zero setback architecture creates pedestrian urban environments, not vast seas of parked automobiles.  Why does the Jacksonville resident require off-street front door parking everywhere they go?  They're called feet people... use them every once in a while!

[tufsu1]

The challenge for many if those properties mentioned is they stretch from the road to the river...so which one is the front?