JTA prepared to break ground on downtown transit hub

[Metro Jacksonville]

JTA prepared to break ground on downtown transit hub



2017 is shaping up to be a transformative year for transportation initiatives throughout Jacksonville's urban core. This week, the JTA will seek Downtown Development Review Board (DDRB) conceptual design approval for the heart of their long proposed Jacksonville Intermodal Center (JAXIS).  Here's a look at what will replace a sea of surface parking lots across the street from downtown Jacksonville's Prime Osborn Convention Center. The JTA plans to begin construction on the first phase of the downtown transportation center in Winter 2017.

Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2017-jan-jta-prepared-to-break-ground-on-downtown-transit-hub

[remc86007]

Is the parking lot next to the building sufficient? What happens if there is an event at the convention center? I was under the (erroneous) impression there would be a garage built.

[thelakelander]

^They can always add a parking garage later, if and when the demand is there.

[jcjohnpaint]

From what I remember, the garage, park, and more levels to the office building are later if needed.  I am still confused where the Greyhound station is going. 

[Kerry]

I am so looking forward to getting this under construction and seeing this area start to fill in.

[thelakelander]

From what I remember, the garage, park, and more levels to the office building are later if needed.  I am still confused where the Greyhound station is going. 

Greyhound will be located at the NW corner of Forsyth and Stuart Streets (#3 on the site plan map below).

[vicupstate]

Was Greyhound moved to be closer to the CC? I seem to remember it was a another block further from it.

[KenFSU]

Ennis, is there any rough timeline on the pedestrian plaza?

Or is that TBD?

[Kerry]

One thing I have always found of interest, and I think provides insight into the core thought process of people who decide these things, is the arrangement of the Bus Transfer Facility.  In this rendering you can see the compact nature of it and how it is designed primarily for the convenience of the human passenger by minimizing walking distance and increasing safety by eliminating the need to cross a driveway.  Contrast this with the existing Rosa Parks Station or better yet, the downtown transit station in Oklahoma City completed a few years ago where the passenger was a total afterthought.

[thelakelander]

Was Greyhound moved to be closer to the CC? I seem to remember it was a another block further from it.

Yes. After Nat Ford joined JTA, the entire complex was redesigned to take up less space and drop the construction costs down. Here's one of the old plans:

[remc86007]

Shrinking the amount of space used is probably a good thing, but I'm concerned by the seeming removal of retail spots. It seems like a transit hub should have at least some retail spots.

[thelakelander]

The new plan has retail. The old plan's retail spots would have ended up being empty anyway. Given the speed of traffic heading east to Forsyth Street, from the I-95 off-ramp, that little retail cluster would have been a pretty horrible pedestrian scale environment to be in. In addition, consolidation creates more opportunity for infill TOD and adjacent development like Lofts at LaVilla. So better placed and integrated retail is still a strong future possibility.

[Keith-N-Jax]

Looks pretty good IMO, that whole area is pretty grim, this will be a start to something great I hope for the whole area

[remc86007]

The new plan has retail. The old plan's retail spots would have ended up being empty anyway. Given the speed of traffic heading east to Forsyth Street, from the I-95 off-ramp, that little retail cluster would have been a pretty horrible pedestrian scale environment to be in. In addition, consolidation creates more opportunity for infill TOD and adjacent development like Lofts at LaVilla. So better placed and integrated retail is still a strong future possibility.

Ah, I missed that. Thanks for clarifying.

[vicupstate]

Was Greyhound moved to be closer to the CC? I seem to remember it was a another block further from it.

Yes. After Nat Ford joined JTA, the entire complex was redesigned to take up less space and drop the construction costs down. Here's one of the old plans:

Thanks Lake. He earned his salary with that decision.  Now just move the trains back into the CC and this is a real winner.