Elements of Urbanism: Driving Through Boston

[Metro Jacksonville]

Elements of Urbanism: Driving Through Boston



Metro Jacksonville takes a drive through the heart of New England's largest city: Boston

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/926

[Keith-N-Jax]

I watched the program on the discovery channel about the big dig(impressive). I cant wait to visit there.

[TheProfessor]

It is interesting to note that even though walkscore gives downtown a score of 88, when you type in Jacksonville on the search it gives you a 98, which is the same as Boston.

[Ocklawaha]

Common Downtown Albatross:

They don't appear, on the surface, to have a common albatross.

YEP! THEY DO...

ISSUES WITH POORLY LOCATED RAILROAD STATIONS

In our case "under a highway overpass, in a shack, and between two junk yards." In Bostons case, Two large "Jacksonville Terminal" type stations, with the creative names "North" and "South" stations, they are not connected. This splits Amtrak operations in the City forcing a Florida - Portland ME passenger to enter SOUTH STATION and drive across town in a cab to NORTH STATION.

Boston has:
Extensive Commuter Rail
Amtrak
Reigonal Rail
Light Rail
Streetcars
Subway's
Bus
BRT
Trolley Buses (including BRT)
Express Commuter Bus
Commuter Air
Water Taxi

Plus the "BIG DIG" which would be like three 12 lane tunnels under the river at Dames Point, Matthews Bridge + JTB-103RD, for what they got and spent, hell we could toss in the 20TH street tunnels, Light Rail, Commuter Rail, and ZEPPELIN service to Hamburg, Middleburg and Neptune Beach.


Also, with a density difference of only 173 people per square mile, it's obvious either Boston can't and won't support rail, or somehow Jacksonville leadership has it's head where the sun isn't shinning.

OCKLAWAHA

[ProjectMaximus]

I like Boston. Great stuff.

Definitely check out the link to the walking tour if you haven't, those pics are terrific!

[heights unknown]

Now that's a heavily dense downtown with both people and buildings (just what Jacksonville needs).

Heights Unknown

[Keith-N-Jax]

In Boston now,,very, very nice downtown!!!

[buckethead]

Boston is a fine city. An international city.

The Big dig was a huge scam. No so much the effect, but the cost.

[Keith-N-Jax]

Well I am working in Bridgeport, Ct for a few weeks. All these big cities are great, but I prefer Florida. I am going to visit the baseball park tomorrow.

[buckethead]

Mainers (Maine residents) have a term of "endearment" for Bostonians and other Massachusetts residents: Massholes.

They are the smartest people on the planet! No need to ask them, they will let you know in their own special way. (I never knew I had a southern accent, in fact I thought I did not)

There are plenty of friendly folks there as well.

[Keith-N-Jax]

Funny my co-workers in Connecticut tell me I talk funny.I told them no you talk funny.I havent met any rude people here in Boston or Ct for that matter and they drive no worse than the people in Miami.

[Noone]

Just visited Boston and was very impressed. We took Amtrack to Portland. The Mrs. booked the tickets and the train ride up to Portland was $6 dollars a piece. And the return trip was $12 a piece.  She got the tickets  a while back and it was a special called Train to Maine. Traveled off peak and for me this was my first Amtrack ride and just loved it.

We used Public transportation and also walked the Freedom Trail. The people were great and would offer help and suggestions as we were the tourists with the maps.

I'm getting more excited about rail and how it can benefit our city. 

[ProjectMaximus]

$6 from Jax or Boston?!?

[Noone]

Sorry. We flew to Boston then took Amtrack to Portland. $12 bucks for both of us. We are definately loking to ride Amtrack again.

[ChriswUfGator]

I've been everywhere in all of those pictures many times, trip down memory lane.