Is the FTU site locked into a suburban site plan?

[jaxjags]

Agree 100%, so what needs to occur to make these kinds of changes before the next project comes along, as I have no idea.

[thelakelander]

What needs to happen (modifying policies that contribute to poor site planning), won't before the next poorly designed project pops up. Before you can modify policy, you first have to admit that something is not working. I don't think we're there yet.

[Josh]

What a disaster.

[thelakelander]

Here is the DIA staff report. It pretty much tells you all you need to know about why we keep seeing poorly designed projects popping up in downtown.

[fieldafm]

The DIA conclusions are as follows:

-Even though we paid an expert to do a road diet study (here: https://investdtjax.com/wp-content/themes/dia-theme-2020/assets/pdf/brooklyn-neighborhood-road-diet-study-2017.pdf)  to right the wrongs of making Brooklyn not walkable two decades ago, we don't need to eliminate the right turn as that study suggests because its ok to use a speed bump painted bright colors instead. This will ensure that when pedestrians get run over, they will have spent their last minutes on earth either alive or not horribly paralyzed mesmerized by bright colors. 

-We don't need to eliminate surface parking lots on Leila, because even though this opens the grid network back up.... its not really a street. Therefore, our strict code about surface parking lots enacted in 2011 don't apply here.  Also, we've included some bushes to really spruce up the experience. 

-Although we don't consider the reopening of Leila St to be actually true, we still think there is a variance because of view corridors.  Basically, we're going to pick and choose what we consider constitutes opening up the street grid. See item above regarding surface parking lots, that's not really what we mean when we talk about opening up the street grid. But it is considered to be opening up the street grid when it comes to view corridors.  Confused? Don't worry, we've added some shrubs.

-Even though there is no justifiable reason for this parking garage to have 5 total entrances/exits... we've added some bushes. You're welcome.  Also, watch out for that car. 

-This parking garage will have more ingress/egress access than any other garage Downtown, despite not even being the biggest garage within our entire redevelopment boundary. We are breaking records here! Any time you can break a record, that is proof positive about our glowing performance as a redevelopment agency.

-The site plan really isn't suburban or completely auto oriented in any way, because here are some nicer pictures than what we had before. See, there are more bushes now.  Problem solved.

-If you are listening to Louis Armstrong's "What A Wonderful World" while reading our staff report...it will invariably allow our conclusions to make more sense. In the end, good design isn't the real challenge.  The real challenge is that we all need more positive thoughts, and we feel that an uplifting song will soothe over many of your concerns.    Hey, check out figure 5!  That's a real nice bush, amiright?


This is a pretty brilliant staff report.  Best work DIA has ever done.  Bravo!

[jaxjags]

As the site plan was set once DIA did their thing, essentially DDRB worked on Landscaping.

[thelakelander]

Pretty much.....basically landscaping and building paint colors. A complete waste of time for those who are actually interested in downtown becoming a vibrant place at the pedestrian scale level.

[thelakelander]

Updated look at Brooklyn's One Riverside Avenue



A look at the latest redevelopment plans for the former Florida Times-Union site in Brooklyn.

Read More: https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/updated-look-at-brooklyns-one-riverside-avenue/

[jaxoNOLE]

The "comparable projects" on pages 9 and 10 illustrate pretty concisely the aesthetic we're going to be stuck with for a very long time if we don't start demanding better. What will they allow on a prime piece of property like the Ford on Bay?

[thelakelander]

Pretty much! Each project serves as precedence for the next.

[fsu813]

The "comparable projects" on pages 9 and 10 illustrate pretty concisely the aesthetic we're going to be stuck with for a very long time if we don't start demanding better. What will they allow on a prime piece of property like the Ford on Bay?

It's my understanding architecture will be a scored component in the RFP for the Ford on Bay site.

At least verbally, multiple members of the DDRB have pondered aloud about expecting more re: architecture/development. Moving the needle from technically satisfactory to above average is obviously quite difficult without policy to give it teeth.

[Charles Hunter]

The "comparable projects" on pages 9 and 10 illustrate pretty concisely the aesthetic we're going to be stuck with for a very long time if we don't start demanding better. What will they allow on a prime piece of property like the Ford on Bay?

It's my understanding architecture will be a scored component in the RFP for the Ford on Bay site.

Like the public art was a major factor in scoring the proposals for the park at the Former Landing Site? And how a specific art concept put the winning proposal over the top? A public art piece that may not happen?

[fsu813]

The "comparable projects" on pages 9 and 10 illustrate pretty concisely the aesthetic we're going to be stuck with for a very long time if we don't start demanding better. What will they allow on a prime piece of property like the Ford on Bay?

It's my understanding architecture will be a scored component in the RFP for the Ford on Bay site.

Like the public art was a major factor in scoring the proposals for the park at the Former Landing Site? And how a specific art concept put the winning proposal over the top? A public art piece that may not happen?

Funny, was chatting with someone this morning who is working on the aforementioned public art piece. COJ chose a high end design firm, and have sticker shock about the costs. Who would have thunk?!

[Captain Zissou]

At least verbally, multiple members of the DDRB have pondered aloud about expecting more re: architecture/development. Moving the needle from technically satisfactory to above average is obviously quite difficult without policy to give it teeth.

One of the members of DDRB is responsible for 2 of the projects that have contributed to our current aesthetic downtown. 

I also think suggesting that the Vestcor projects on Water street are "comps" in any way is part of the problem.  2 workforce housing projects in what was a vacant area at the time should not have the same design concept as a signature waterfront piece of property in a neighborhood that is seeing tremendous growth (for jacksonville at least). 

[Jagsdrew]

All this development is missing is a flyover ramp from Riverside Ave to the top of the parking garage in the development. Speed limit 65.