Public input sought for Metropolitan Park’s future

[thelakelander]

The future of Metropolitan Park was addressed in the Downtown Action Plan (DAP) published in 2007 by the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission (JEDC). Described as “a prime waterfront venue for large events” and having “the potential to become Jacksonville’s premier special events venue” the plan also points out that a detailed civil assessment and Master Plan should be developed. The DAP also states the Master Plan should include utilizing the space so it “engages the river and provides connectivity to the surrounding uses and the overall Downtown experience” and continues, evaluating the “feasibility of expanding Metropolitan Park into the space occupied by Kids Kampus and possibly the WJCT property, both of which could be accommodated in another location off the riverfront.”

“It’s time to look at how such a large space that serves so many different user groups and events can be organized to make the best use of such a premier location on the river,” said architect Christopher Noel, a JaxPride volunteer.

full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=51089

[BridgeTroll]

First thing to be done is move the police boats and fire boats to another location.  Modernize the tent and stage to accomodate modern electronics and sound systems.  Add more restrooms...

[thelakelander]

Take down the gates.  What good is a public space if the public can't use it on an everday basis.

[ac]

Build an ampitheater and book live music there, codgers across the river be damned.

[JeffreyS]

Put up a skyway station.

[uptowngirl]

This would be a start!

[Seraphs]

Build an ampitheater and book live music there, codgers across the river be damned.

Perhaps if a newly built ampitheater was graded where the stage was below ground the sound wouldn't travel so much over the river.  Then if it still does codgers across the river be damned.  Also I agree Skyway to the stadium district.

[brainstormer]

Build a skyway station that provides greater access to the park and then rebuild the amphitheater.  We need a high tech stage with quality sound so it would be good enough to compete with St. Augustine for concerts.    With the awesome Jacksonville weather we could build something like the Marcus Amphitheater in Milwaukee, WI.  It can hold upwards of 25, 000 people, and it too sits right on the water with a raised freeway and views of the city.  In Milwaukee, the amphitheater is part of a larger park called Festival Park.  In the bottom picture, the amphitheater is in the upper left corner with the rest being different sections of the park.  This is home to Summerfest every summer.
I also think we need to take a look at what development the water front needs, as right now it is an eyesore.  If the Shipyards have died, then what else can we do?  We should really continue the Riverwalk all the way to Metropolitan Park.  The whole stadium/met park district needs to be connected with the rest of downtown.

[Keith-N-Jax]

I like these ideas.

[Ocklawaha]

S K Y W A Y
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[Coolyfett]

What normally goes on at Metropolitan Park during the GA/FL game?

When you google "Metropolitan Park" do you see what comes up? LOL Maybe they should change the name.

The 1901 Fire Museum needs to be moved either to the southbank near MOSH or to Hemming Plaza. Its been moved before, that building used to be somewhere else.

SKYway Skyway Skyway...Or/and extend the Northbank Riverwalk there.

More restrooms!

[BridgeTroll]

Shoreline Ampitheater is similar to Metro park...

[02roadking]

• The location for the Nov. 15 charrette to help guide future improvements at Metroplitan Park has been moved. It will be held from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in the training room at the Ed Ball Building near the entrance on Adams Street between Hogan and Julia streets. To participate, call 356-2846 or e-mail: sharrell@jaxpride.org.

[GatorShane]

Ok Guys, heres my opinion on Metro Park. Some of the ideas have already been mentioned so I apologize for any repeats. First, take back the Shipyards and turn it into a premier riverfront park.  Leave the middle wide open and line the river and Bay street with nice fountains and trees. Second thing that needs to be done is to take away those hills so that the entire park has an unobstructed view of downtown. Then there should be serious upgrades to the stage and sound and lighting systems. Bathe the top of pavillion with colorful lights. We should also consider putting Naval ship museum adjacent to the park on the river. Put the fire museum and the maritime museum on the land behind the stage. All of this would be connected with the extension of the riverwalk to the Ford Motor assembly plant. You might ask why would you extened the riverwalk that far?Good question! This would connect the entire park with the new WORLDS LARGEST AQUARIUM(no one said we couldnt dream). This could be put on land between Matthews and Hart bridges. This would give us a world class park that would be walkable and connected from the Matthews Bridge all the way to downtown.

[Ocklawaha]

...and the "Worlds Largest Aquarium" would have underground walks deep beneath the tanks to look in on the life at the bottom of the sea. The best for last, as you leave that area, you appear in a glass tube beneath the sands of the mighty St. Johns and slowly climb up grade and out with fantastic lighting so we could gain some visibility into the mysterys of the dark waters that flow past or under our feet.

OCKLAWAHA