JTA's JRTC Design Showcase

[UNFurbanist]

I think the past few comments pretty much sum up how I feel. In addition, I have heard from someone "in the know" that JTA has more than enough budgeted to build any of these designs. Actually, they could build two if they wanted based off what this person estimated. So I figure why not go with the best one?

[Live_Oak]

In addition, I have heard from someone "in the know" that JTA has more than enough budgeted to build any of these designs. Actually, they could build two if they wanted based off what this person estimated. So I figure why not go with the best one?

Well that really frustrates me. If the budget was actually more than $40 million than why not state it. Who knows what kbj and via could have done with a $53 million budget.

[Kerry]

What happens to the Rosa Parks station in all this?  I assume it will no longer be a bus hub.

[thelakelander]

From my understanding it will still be a bus hub. Just not the main one.

[thelakelander]

In regards to funding, here's a quote from today's JBJ:

The JRTC, which must be up and running in September 2019, will begin construction with a new Greyhound terminal in January. The Greyhound bus station will be funded with $10 million in state and federal funding, said Brad Thoburn, vice president of long range planning and system development for JTA. The JRTC, which will include JTA's administrative offices, will be funded through a combination of strategic intermodal funds, federal funds and local funding. Thoburn said that of the approximately $40 million in total project, JTA has committed to about $10.5 million, and has funding in place to begin construction when ready.

Full article: http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2016/04/19/jta-unveils-potential-designs-for-new.html

[floridaal]

I understand that at the JTA meeting this Thursday at 2:00, they will chose the JRTC design.  Will anyone be at the meeting?

[GradedWash]

Hello Metro Jacksonville. I wanted to post some images from the KBJ submission as well as a video we put together for our final presentation to JTA.

We were unaware we could post these until we saw that another firm has had a new rendering of their submission posted since before the presentations to JTA.

Thanks
http://kbjjrtcdesignsubmission.weebly.com/
https://youtu.be/5VIbGw7fOkY

[KenFSU]

Sounds like the Pond design is going to be approved tomorrow, per the Daily Record.

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=547457

[GradedWash]

KBJ was glad to have the opportunity to put our design together  for this, and a Congrats should be sent out to Pond / Michael Baker for their design.

I'm still perplexed where the 33 Million number is coming from on the Jax Daily Record. The Previous design submission for their project said they were closer to 50 million. Even taking their Parking garage out of the design scope doesn't get close to 33 Million.

The article reads "Balfour Beatty Construction Co. has guaranteed the price for the project and will be responsible for cost overruns, if any, said Ford."

This should get interesting.

[Tacachale]

It'll be interesting to see what develops.

[ProjectMaximus]

KBJ was glad to have the opportunity to put our design together  for this, and a Congrats should be sent out to Pond / Michael Baker for their design.

Thank you to your entire team for submitting a thoughtful and innovative design. We need more projects and proposals like yours.

[Tacachale]

KBJ was glad to have the opportunity to put our design together  for this, and a Congrats should be sent out to Pond / Michael Baker for their design.

Thank you to your entire team for submitting a thoughtful and innovative design. We need more projects and proposals like yours.

Agreed!

[UNFurbanist]

My only critique of the KBJ design would be a seeming lack of pedestrian connectivity. To me it doesn't seem as "user-friendly" but maybe that is just the rendering. However, architecturally speaking it is very nice! Good work, and I hope that Jax gets the best bang for its buck.

[Kerry]

As a Brooklyn resident, pedestrian access was huge for me as I will likely arrive and depart by foot when availing myself of mass transit.  With that in mind Pond was the only group that specifically addressed walkability so I am glad they were chosen.

[GradedWash]

There could have been a better job incorporating more pedestrian items into the design, but from the RFP request, it seemed more important to fit all the building elements requested into the design budget and produce an  iconic structure.  We actually took items out of our design when we got budget numbers back from Cost Estimators. That was a little frustrating, but that is life. 

My two cents as solely a citizen of Jacksonville and not an Architect:

If I am reading the numbers correctly, the Pond / Michael Baker submission comes in at 33 million only including the JTA building and the Greyhound building. It does not include the additional community program which is about a floor and a half of the building, the green roof, Elevated Pedestrian bridge over Bay, Canopies at the Bus Terminal, Parking Garage, any pedestrian green ways connecting Brooklyn.... and it's a little fuzzy on if that includes the grand plaza in the front.

As citizens of Jacksonville, striving for this town to be elevated to a level of greatness it can achieve, It is our right to make sure the project doesn't get so scaled down it loses all the elements that most people on this site (and around the city) appreciate about the design.