Reinvigorating the Jacksonville Landing

[fieldafm]

Even the most ardent supporter of that proposal has to realize that this is more about a 'hopeful' phase two; Phase one is more about renovating the 'gateway' for newcomers.

If anyone actually is really looking forward to the 'phase 2' component with any intensity, I'd invite them to put much more focus on the 'phase 1' portion... which still has the potential to be something good with some simple modifications that all parties can agree on (parking is a concern, and it has to be addressed-however it can be addressed in a more workable manner).  I think it is very, very, very important that those modifications be accomodated.

[I-10east]

^^^I hear ya. Concerning Channel 4's "Whether or not you'll be inclined to visit the Landing" question, many on facebook are going to that obligatory "clean up the crime in the area" take; That seems like more of an imaginary perception more than anything.

[Bridges]

One of the coolest things to me was the amount of diversity in the room.  You could tell that the Landing is viewed as a critical piece of the downtown puzzle to the community.

The Landing is very important since it is one of the only places the public can interact with the river with bars and entertainment.  There is nothing on the Southbank that allows for entertainment on the river.  All the old stores are gone.  Sure there are benches, and a walk, but there isn't much.  There is River City Brewing but that is one place, and if you don't like that one place you're SOL. 

The Northbank has only the Landing.  There are the Shipyards that have potential, but if they're being saved for private residences, then there isn't much for the public to do on our grand riverwalk. 

[Bridges]

When is the next meeting for input?

[I-10east]

There is River City Brewing but that is one place, and if you don't like that one place you're SOL. 

Ruth Chris is certainly worth mentioning, but I get what you're saying.

[fieldafm]

When is the next meeting for input?

I would imagine there won't be much more opportunity for public input like last night until the actual incentive package is presented publicly at DIA.

[CityLife]

There is River City Brewing but that is one place, and if you don't like that one place you're SOL. 

Ruth Chris is certainly worth mentioning, but I get what you're saying.

I think he's speaking more to restaurants/bars that interact with the riverwalk. Both Ruth's Chris and The Chart House have river views, but are indoor restaurants. In that sense they don't interact with the Riverwalk anymore than The University Club does.

[tufsu1]

Not at the Jeff Speck meeting this morning, but maybe someone will ask him about the design of the Landing and it's enhancement of walkability.  Especially a new parking lot with a roundabout entrance way in the middle of downtown.   

After the event, I spoke to Jeff Speck about the Landing issue.  He was flabbergasted (remember he's only been here for a day).  I asked him to talk with some decision makers further if he had a chance before leaving town.

[I-10east]

I think he's speaking more to restaurants/bars that interact with the riverwalk. Both Ruth's Chris and The Chart House have river views, but are indoor restaurants. In that sense they don't interact with the Riverwalk anymore than The University Club does.

Fair enough.

[Bridges]

I think he's speaking more to restaurants/bars that interact with the riverwalk. Both Ruth's Chris and The Chart House have river views, but are indoor restaurants. In that sense they don't interact with the Riverwalk anymore than The University Club does.

Indeed.

[AmyLynne]

^^^I hear ya. Concerning Channel 4's "Whether or not you'll be inclined to visit the Landing" question, many on facebook are going to that obligatory "clean up the crime in the area" take; That seems like more of an imaginary perception more than anything.

That's the go to response for people that have no real reason of why they aren't doing something. Just like those people of saying they would buy Jags tickets "if only"...

You take away what ever that if is to them, they will only find another to replace it.

[Noone]

When is the next meeting for input?

I would imagine there won't be much more opportunity for public input like last night until the actual incentive package is presented publicly at DIA.

Be happy that you even had one Public meeting. It was discussed not to even have one. And it's just not on this issue but other key projects as well.

So many other examples to pick from. Add your own. What are we trying to transform again?

Visit Jacksonville!
I'm All In.

[JaxArchitect]

The opening in the middle of the site is critical to connecting to the City and creating human activity along Laura and Independent Drive.  While I can see Lake's point about the vehicular entrance, I think that it makes sense as an access point because it's more intuitive than the current entry location.  If they were to eliminate the public plazas on the north side of the building and either extend the structures or at least provide outdoor dining in these locations, it would be an improvement because it would bring this activity closer to Independent Drive.  Besides, I don't think we need to expand the outdoor plaza beyond what's inside the horseshoe anyway.  Alternatively, maybe the end of Hogan Street could be used flexibly as a temporary plaza for Fla/Ga game, etc and provide better connectivity to the Times Union Center.
I also though Bill Bishop's comment about eliminating the ramps from Main Street are spot on right.
My biggest concern is that this development is being referred to as "mixed-use" but the "future" residential will most likely never happen.  It's clear that the two residential towers are afterthoughts and not an integral part of the masterplan.  The footprint is not large enough to provide a ramped parking structure within them so they'll never get enough parking to support residential, at least not anything beyond a couple of stories.  If they were to consolidate the residential component with the restaurants on the east side of the plaza into one structure (rather than independent structures separated by an alley), it would give the architect more flexibility to make the parking work.  Besides, I think the design could benefit from a little assymetry.
Instead, Mr. Sleiman understandably wants to focus on what he knows, which is essentially strip malls, and defer the residential to some future development.  As such, the only proposed use in Phase I is reconfigured restaurants and parking lots.  I feel that the masterplan needs to include a mixed use component from the start or it won't be any more successful than what we've already got.

[LBjax]

Time to embrace change Duval!

When I have family visit and specifically request to go visit downtown b/c they've  heard of "The Landing", I sadly have to break the news that it's a disappointment and a waste of time. A has-been now infested with vacant lots, crappy over-priced restaurants, wanna-be bar/club, a refuge for the forgotten and ignored, and a stage with a view desperate for attention and appreciation.

The demand is there, people with time and money in hand (think FL/GA - The Landing was getting FREE advertising from National stations for god's sakes!) yet why is it falling apart?

To me the answer is simple: Change from within. Need new skin in the game when it comes to those who write the checks and make the decisions. Just look at the improvements and support Khan has for Jacksonville in the short time he's been here!

There are too many "has-been's" running the show trying to prevent change because they are in denial that their vision, quite frankly SUCKS! The culture of our city has changed with the generations and the landing is stuck in the past. Without passion, belief, vision and support from above there can be no change.

Small example/idea/start (whatever you want to call it)  and I'll stop my rant.

Recently visited Orlando on a girls night out. Had NO IDEA Orlando had an awesome night life outside of the parks! Yes, I'm talking about Church Street District. "Located in the heart of Downtown Orlando, the Church Street District is home to an eclectic mix of world class dining, professional sports, live entertainment, night spots, theater and Orlando's award winning Amway Center." - Right off their website! Doesn't sound too far off from what we have/could have here in Jax. Had the best time I've had in a long time. Bar/Club hopping until the sun came up (ok..until 2 when everything shut down). Club with DJ's that actually knew how to play dance music, raves, bar's, good food, awesome vibe, diverse culture - "something for everyone"! But the most important aspect that made it come together was the support from the city. Police blocked off the the street so we didn't have to worry about cars. Wide variety of restaurants, clubs, bars, theater, sports, arts - all because the city allowed and supported it!

Your people want it and have already laid the groundwork when it comes to idea's on what you community wants and already has (Folio, VOID, MetroJacksonville, JaxConnector - to name a few). Now all that's left to do is for the decision makers with deep pockets to support the change!

PEACE!

[CityLife]

Wasn't able to attend, but I guess Bill Bishop pitched the idea of removing the off-ramps to open up the surface lots east and west of the bridge. Like I said in my earlier post, its a complete waste to have prime surface lots along the river between the Landing and Hyatt/Entertainment District. This isn't a new concept or anything, but glad to see it may be getting some traction.

City Council member Bill Bishop, an architect, proposed that Main and Ocean streets be made two-way and turned back into a local road. By doing so, the ramps near the Landing and Hyatt Downtown could be removed, opening up more land near the venue.

"I think they are in the way, they're large concrete structures," Sleiman said.

Bishop and Mike Saylor, a Downtown Investment Authority board member, said the thought of removing the ramps isn't new. The suggestion has been around at least since former Mayor John Peyton's "Big Idea" plan to make parts of Downtown more pedestrian-friendly.

"We came 'this close' and didn't do it," said Saylor, who served as Peyton's planning director for a year.

Bishop said the ramps were "obsolete" and "unnecessary" now that the bridge is not the main traffic thoroughfare, as motorists now rely on Interstate 95. The portion near Downtown is being improved and both said now could be a time to try and partner with the state transportation department to seek the alteration.

Still, Bishop said such a major change would take years to implement. Making the two Downtown streets two-way again would be done first and wouldn't take long.

Removing the ramps weren't the only ideas Sleiman said he liked. Having high-density residential — not just a two-story structure — was something he favored, as was making the venue a destination for artists and concerts.

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=541270