Drew Restoration Project

[drewshade]

I have not seen any updates on Facebook and the website is down. Does anyone have an update to the progress of this project. I hope the project hasn't stalled.

[Bill Hoff]

It's a very expensive, very complicated passion project. I'd expect it to take quite a long time, as priorities allow. I believe the owner, Michael, decided to run for Clay County Commissioner, which may shift focus for a time.

Related, GNP Development Partners purchased multiple parcels from Petra that surround The Drew, on both Pearl & W. 3rd Street, to do some kind of multi-family housing directly across from Klutho Park. They're not sure the scale, type, design, impact, etc yet, but are a reputable developer and are doing the legwork now. This is fantastic.

[drewshade]

Speaking of Klutho Park... There was a news article a couple years ago that mentioned a grant or money set aside to help clean and or rehabilitate it. Do you know if the city is going to be able to utilize those funds to clean the creek or fix the broken walls etc. in 2016?

[MusicMan]

Here is my update:

I drove past it. No evidence of any work being started. NONE.

Check back next January for an update.

[Bill Hoff]

Groundwork Jacksonville is the product of the park & creek improvement grant you mentioned, Drew. Look them up on Google, Facebook, etc. Addressing the creek infrastructure will be years down the line. They're building capacity, addressing low hanging fruit at this time, regarding the park itself.

Music, the roof has been repaired, walls pressure washed, and other misc prep work. My impression is that the passion project will progress as his priorities dictate, though with all the surrounding parcels now set for a large multi-family development, that may encourage movement one way or another.

[Captain Zissou]

The more I read about Groundwork Jax, the less I understand what they actually do or have done.  Have they done anything yet in Jax?

[MusicMan]

I'll go take another look. Guess I expected a bit more at this point.  I did walk through it when it was for sale and was surprised at how good of shape it was in. That being said, I'm 100% certain serious foundation work will have to be completed first before anything above can be dealt with.

[drewshade]

So by parcels, your referring to the Job Corps building, the scary dentist office and the unknown concrete building with signs that say: property of the us govt building. According to legend, these were all part of the church 

Is my hunch correct?

[Bill Hoff]

Captain, their big year-in-review and look ahead is Feb 29th. Attend & find out.

Drew, you're clairvoyant.

[UNFurbanist]

Groundwork is really just gettong started in 2016! The past year has really just been prep. They have plans for a big market on A Philip Randolph, tons of small landscaping projects and a few environmental quality studies in partnership with the UNF Environmental Center. 2-3 years I think you'll start seeing the big stuff come along for the area.

[UNFurbanist]

I also agree that their main focus should be the Hogan creek renewal and it is still 100% on their radar. However, another big part of the groundworks mission on a national level is community engagement/development so I believe much of their grant money is tied into that realm. That's where the market comes in. As I'm sure you're well aware the east side neighborhood has been terribly neglected when it comes to commercial services so they are trying to help the area in that sense. Again, I think the development of a true emerald necklace is their end goal but they basically want to be more than a park service. There are suppose to be big announcements in Feb so we'll see if they have some awesome plan to unveil. 

http://www.groundworkjacksonville.org/projects/public-market/

[tufsu1]

Groundwork was supposed to serve the Hogans Creek park system.  Why on earth is it doing a big market on A Phillip Randolph?

um, because their application and granting status talks about serving Hogan's Creek and the surrounding Springfield and Eastside neighborhoods.  They have also reached out and are including work with the S-Line (because it will connect with the Hogan's Creek Greenway) and Durkeeville as well.

[TheCat]

Facebook response from posting a link to this thread...

[TheCat]

The organization's name was written as "groundworks jax" on facebook. The correct name is "groundwork jacksonville".  It's been fixed.

[TheCat]

Their facebook page is informative but they don't post 15 times a day. Usually one post per day, sometimes two.

https://www.facebook.com/groundworkjacksonville/?fref=ts