Deciphering JEA's Search: What's Best For Downtown?

[thelakelander]

LOL at the U2C. Unless, Iguana is paying for it, that's not happening anytime soon and it's still suspect if it will even work. Also what good is a bus loop if there's not bus route with frequent headways?!

[KenFSU]

The LaVilla location is adjacent to a First Coast Flyer BRT stop. The bus comes every 10 minutes peak and every 15 minutes off peak. The Southbank location is adjacent to the First Coast Flyer BRT and Skyway's Kings Avenue Station, so it comes with the same accessibility benefit. The existing location (2 block walk) and the proposed Adams Street location (1 block walk) are pretty close to the Skyway's Hemming Park Station. Lot J is the only one a mile away from anything. At this point, they'll need their own shuttle or dream that JTA can come through on the U2C at some distant point in the future.

Lamping responded with U2C potential as well as a bus loop stop near the proposed Lot J location.

Alan Howard followed up with 11,000 customers each month pay their bills at JEA's HQ.

Which again begs the question, how do 11,000 low income walk-in customers fit with the Jags' work/live/play vision for Lot J?

The Jags presentation almost comes off comical today.

Leading with how Lot J would be good for JEA, but also ensure the long-term sustainability of the Jaguars in Jacksonville.

And pitching ticket pre-sale opportunities and event coupons to JEA employees

[KenFSU]

The Courthouse site is the site that Ryan will build on if they win, apparently. On Adams.

[Steve]

The Courthouse site is the site that Ryan will build on if they win, apparently. On Adams.

Totally cool with that. Like I said, I'd slightly prefer the Church street one, but this would be great too.

[thelakelander]

Lol I just logged in to the live feed for a couple of minutes. They're doing public comments and Noone is up. He's talking about river access!!!

[KenFSU]

Lol I just logged in to the live feed for a couple of minutes. They're doing public comments and Noone is up. He's talking about river access!!!

He's at JEA, and why you aren't

One factor working in Kings Avenue Station's favor is that they are the only developer open to lease-to-own.

Ryan and Lot J both sound like permanent leases.

JEA has expressed some interest in eventually taking over ownership of their new headquarters, so assuming a fair race, it's a definite advantage.

[Jagsdrew]

I missed Ryan's presentation but I was a little more impressed with Blankay's presentation. For one, the parcel of land has been remediated back in 2005, existing garage is built and Public transportation already in place. Only downfall for me is the added traffic in the area when you consider the district and other developments in consideration. Can those roads handle the increased volume.

As expected, Lot J was SUPER underwhelming.

Just felt like a lot of pomp and circumstance regarding all the major players involved and their world renown experience.

[vicupstate]

The Courthouse site is the site that Ryan will build on if they win, apparently. On Adams.

So if Ryan is picked, JEA wouldn't weigh in on the exact location between the three?

[Captain Zissou]

^ Discounted event parking??  If JEA leases spaces in the garage, shouldn't they get free event parking with their monthly leases?  If somebody tries to charge me for event parking in my garage I threaten to "Strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger!"

[Kerry]

How does JEA being at Lot J ensure the Jags stay in Jax, and are the Jags thinking they might leave so there has to even be a "save the Jags component"?

If my wife came in and said, "You have to do X to ensure I stick around" my first question would be, "Are you thinking you might not stick around?"

[KenFSU]

^ Discounted event parking??  If JEA leases spaces in the garage, shouldn't they get free event parking with their monthly leases?  If somebody tries to charge me for event parking in my garage I threaten to "Strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger!"

"Attention JEA Employees. All vehicles must be removed from the garage by 5 PM. Creed and Everclear will be playing at Daily's Place. Repeat, all vehicles must be moved by 5 PM."

[Tacachale]

^ Discounted event parking??  If JEA leases spaces in the garage, shouldn't they get free event parking with their monthly leases?  If somebody tries to charge me for event parking in my garage I threaten to "Strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger!"

"Attention JEA Employees. All vehicles must be removed from the garage by 5 PM. Creed and Everclear will be playing at Daily's Place. Repeat, all vehicles must be moved by 5 PM."

Spot on.

[Charles Hunter]

^ Discounted event parking??  If JEA leases spaces in the garage, shouldn't they get free event parking with their monthly leases?  If somebody tries to charge me for event parking in my garage I threaten to "Strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger!"

"Attention JEA Employees. All vehicles must be removed from the garage by 5 PM. Creed and Everclear will be playing at Daily's Place. Repeat, all vehicles must be moved by 5 PM."

And you folks who work 2nd shift, can park downtown and ride the U2C, which stops service 4 hours before your shift is over.

[heights unknown]

I don't like any of the renderings, too low key, blah blah, and nothing that stands out for people to see or adding to the dramatism of the skyline experience. Why is Jax so afraid to forge ahead, and upwards relative to the almost 1 million people that we've become through consolidation? No, buildings do not make a city; but I'll bet there are numerous people that when they see iconic towers in a city skyline, they will want to stop by, if they are out of town, to check our downtown out, or locals will just want to check out our skyline from time to time because they are proud of it. JEA has been in Jax for decades, and if its any company that should have an iconic and signature standout tower downtown, it is JEA! Hey, Jax is on the move (downtown) so let's add 20 to 25 stories on to this thing, and being that we are finally forging ahead downtown, I'll bet some businesses will relocate downtown and fill up this building in the additional stories left over that the corporation does not need.

[heights unknown]

And oh, my pick would be the Adams Street location, with about 10 stories of parking garage with 20 to 25 stories or more of office space for employees and other leasing to other businesses.