Aquarium could be coming to Jacksonville?

[TimmyB]

Welcome, Timmy. I don't know Battle Creek but it looks like it's not far from Chicago, where I used to live. And I'm not saying you shouldn't move to the beaches, but there is plenty of water away from the beach too!!

Thanks, Maximus!  I appreciate the advice, but for the first year our so, we want to give ourselves what we never could in our working years, and that is to be within a walking distance to either the ocean or Lake Michigan!  From what we've seen already, there are indeed so many areas we could be happy, but the water is the number one thing on the list, the one non-negotiable.

You are right about Chicago; we go there often!  Love that town. 

[AuditoreEnterprise]

Welcome, Timmy. I don't know Battle Creek but it looks like it's not far from Chicago, where I used to live. And I'm not saying you shouldn't move to the beaches, but there is plenty of water away from the beach too!!

Thanks, Maximus!  I appreciate the advice, but for the first year our so, we want to give ourselves what we never could in our working years, and that is to be within a walking distance to either the ocean or Lake Michigan!  From what we've seen already, there are indeed so many areas we could be happy, but the water is the number one thing on the list, the one non-negotiable.

You are right about Chicago; we go there often!  Love that town. 

I actually think you are gonna really like the beaches. There is a lot going on there.

[AuditoreEnterprise]

it has a huge biking/jogging/walking community and it goes through 3 cities Jax beach, neptune beach, and atlantic beach.

[thelakelander]

For a future article I'm working on.

Downtown Chattanooga riverfront and main attractions.  Highlighted in green, most tend to sit in a compact area between the P R Olgiati and Walnut Street Bridges:



Chattanooga's green highlighted area overlayed over Downtown Jacksonville at the same scale. The Shipyards fall well outside and the proposed AquaJax site at Metropolitan Park isn't even on the map.



When I mentioned the need to cluster things within a compact setting, this visually explains a major Jacksonville problem involving downtown revitalization schemes over the years. What's shown in that Chattanooga image has taken over 20 years to accomplish. The same thing applies to vibrant places like Baltimore's Inner Harbor.

Diane Melendez asked me a question about the best sites for infill projects a few pages back.  I'd argue that regardless of use or selected one trick pony, the best would be to get better utilization out of the surface parking lots, existing buildings and green spaces between the Acosta Bridge and Hyatt/old courthouse site.

[Cheshire Cat]

thelakelander:  Diane Melendez asked me a question about the best sites for infill projects a few pages back.  I'd argue that regardless of use or selected one trick pony, the best would be to get better utilization out of the surface parking lots, existing buildings and green spaces between the Acosta Bridge and Hyatt/old courthouse site.

I certainly agree with you on this Ennis.  We recently received a plan from the DIA and to my eye it does not really address how to best utilize what currently exists in the creation of a downtown plan.  Or did I miss something.  What is up with our city planners in this regard?  Everything seems to be a piece meal approach to an overall plan, or is about plans that miss the mark.

[AuditoreEnterprise]

For a future article I'm working on.

Downtown Chattanooga riverfront and main attractions.  Highlighted in green, most tend to sit in a compact area between the P R Olgiati and Walnut Street Bridges:



Chattanooga's green highlighted area overlayed over Downtown Jacksonville at the same scale. The Shipyards fall well outside and the proposed AquaJax site at Metropolitan Park isn't even on the map.



When I mentioned the need to cluster things within a compact setting, this visually explains a major Jacksonville problem involving downtown revitalization schemes over the years. What's shown in that Chattanooga image has taken over 20 years to accomplish. The same thing applies to vibrant places like Baltimore's Inner Harbor.

Diane Melendez asked me a question about the best sites for infill projects a few pages back.  I'd argue that regardless of use or selected one trick pony, the best would be to get better utilization out of the surface parking lots, existing buildings and green spaces between the Acosta Bridge and Hyatt/old courthouse site.

Ok I will be honest here, because I am one to always accept when I was wrong... I seen so much reference to how Chattanooga and Jacksonville are being compared, but after this illustration I now see why. I will be looking forward to this article when it is posted.

[vicupstate]

The 'compact setting' is definitely a big piece of the puzzle that has been missing in all of Jacksonville's attempts at revitalization.   By trying to revitalize Brooklyn, LaVilla, the Southbank, the Northbank, the Cathedral district, AND the Sports complex district ALL at the same time, they have succeeded in reviving none of them.   Too much land area with too few 'anchors' to spread around all of them.

That issue plus ignoring the necessity for pedestrian scale and friendliness , are the two biggest fault lines running through the last two decades plus of urban redevelopment in JAX. 

Just think if the Baseball Grounds had been integrated into the urban fabric of Brooklyn or LaVilla, instead of clustered with rarely utilized facilities (the Stadium and Arena are dark most nights) in a sea of surface lots.   

[Cheshire Cat]

The 'compact setting' is definitely a big piece of the puzzle that has been missing in all of Jacksonville's attempts at revitalization.   By trying to revitalize Brooklyn, LaVilla, the Southbank, the Northbank, the Cathedral district, AND the Sports complex district ALL at the same time, they have succeeded in reviving none of them.   Too much land area with too few 'anchors' to spread around all of them.

That issue plus ignoring the necessity for pedestrian scale and friendliness , are the two biggest fault lines running through the last two decades plus of urban redevelopment in JAX. 

Just think if the Baseball Grounds had been integrated into the urban fabric of Brooklyn or LaVilla, instead of clustered with rarely utilized facilities (the Stadium and Arena are dark most nights) in a sea of surface lots.   

This lack of coordination in projects reflects a lack of understanding at the level of city planning and the various agencies that are supposed to be working for a downtown plan.  When that is coupled with individual investment developments and dreams we will always be facing down a "patchwork quilt" of development in which the "threads" of connectivity are often missing.

[thelakelander]

thelakelander:  Diane Melendez asked me a question about the best sites for infill projects a few pages back.  I'd argue that regardless of use or selected one trick pony, the best would be to get better utilization out of the surface parking lots, existing buildings and green spaces between the Acosta Bridge and Hyatt/old courthouse site.

I certainly agree with you on this Ennis.  We recently received a plan from the DIA and to my eye it does not really address how to best utilize what currently exists in the creation of a downtown plan.  Or did I miss something.  What is up with our city planners in this regard?  Everything seems to be a piece meal approach to an overall plan, or is about plans that miss the mark.

I believe the DIA plan only includes projects they plan to put their money into making happen. Nevertheless, yes, the version I saw a few months back doesn't properly address this particular issue.

[Cheshire Cat]

thelakelander:  Diane Melendez asked me a question about the best sites for infill projects a few pages back.  I'd argue that regardless of use or selected one trick pony, the best would be to get better utilization out of the surface parking lots, existing buildings and green spaces between the Acosta Bridge and Hyatt/old courthouse site.

I certainly agree with you on this Ennis.  We recently received a plan from the DIA and to my eye it does not really address how to best utilize what currently exists in the creation of a downtown plan.  Or did I miss something.  What is up with our city planners in this regard?  Everything seems to be a piece meal approach to an overall plan, or is about plans that miss the mark.

I believe the DIA plan only includes projects they plan to put their money into making happen. Nevertheless, yes, the version I saw a few months back doesn't properly address this particular issue.

I guess this just more deeply illustrates the problem with all of the disjointed efforts in the core and surrounding areas.  I would hope the DIA is interfacing with other organizations and does not simply remain focused upon those efforts that they have a financial interest it.  If they do, we still end up with all the pieces all over the board.  imo

[AuditoreEnterprise]

thelakelander:  Diane Melendez asked me a question about the best sites for infill projects a few pages back.  I'd argue that regardless of use or selected one trick pony, the best would be to get better utilization out of the surface parking lots, existing buildings and green spaces between the Acosta Bridge and Hyatt/old courthouse site.

I certainly agree with you on this Ennis.  We recently received a plan from the DIA and to my eye it does not really address how to best utilize what currently exists in the creation of a downtown plan.  Or did I miss something.  What is up with our city planners in this regard?  Everything seems to be a piece meal approach to an overall plan, or is about plans that miss the mark.

I believe the DIA plan only includes projects they plan to put their money into making happen. Nevertheless, yes, the version I saw a few months back doesn't properly address this particular issue.

I guess this just more deeply illustrates the problem with all of the disjointed efforts in the core and surrounding areas.  I would hope the DIA is interfacing with other organizations and does not simply remain focused upon those efforts that they have a financial interest it.  If they do, we still end up with all the pieces all over the board.  imo

From my understanding the DIA is supposed to vote on something that would a lot money to people wishing to have Start-up assistance. I am not too sure about where it actually is on the table, but the men I talked to in the DIA office said, a week ago, that 30 - 45 days they would expect it to be approved. I am not sure how much that will help overall, but it may fill in some of the pockets to smaller businesses.

[I-10east]

A downtown Jacksonville aquarium proposal has been drawn up. The TU has a paywall.

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2014-12-23/story/vision-downtown-aquarium-within-sight

[FSBA]

I see grand plans in everything but the fundraising department

[river4340]

I see grand plans in everything but the fundraising department

yeah, I'd say it looks and sounds great. But there is that $100 million ....

[Marle Brando]

I am totally blown away by the design of the building! No complaints here as it does scream iconic for sure. Only wishing somehow $100 million will rain down from the heavens, almost seems to be far fetched. But while they are at it, I would strongly suggest partnering with MOSH and add a new museum as part of the overall plan. Not only would this increase attendance for both respectively as they will feed off and into each other, it would also give Jax condensed educational/entertainment center. Combine this with an included children's museum that currently sits nearby and you have a win all across the board. My strong recommendation would be for Aquajax, JaxZoo, and MOSH to make one full collaborative effort on a single vision.