Downtown Development Update: What's rising, what's delayed

[Zac T]

According to the last Daily Record article I found, final designs were supposed to be completed last month and construction is supposed to be completed no later than April 30, 2029. They are still well within their timeline

Under the term sheet, the new proposal would include eight floors of luxury units including studios and 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments. The project would include a 550-space parking garage with 30 spaces reserved for visitors to the Museum of Science & History.

Related also would manage and execute improvements to the Riverwalk and would deed a 4,200-square-foot parcel to the city to permit expansion of St. Johns River Park and Friendship Fountain.

Terms call for final design to be completed by May 30, 2025, and for construction to be completed by April 30, 2029.

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2024/may/06/the-related-groups-residential-tower-project-resurfaces-along-southbank/

[Charles Hunter]

Terms call for final design to be completed by May 30, 2025

Did they meet this deadline? Have they submitted final plans to the DIA?

[Ken_FSU]

Rad new art installations going up in front of the Courthouse.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1C8GTPEPJo/

Love it!

[Gambit80]

The renderings... ...show an access road right in front of the courthouse? Be good to have something in the space, but why is so hard for Jacksonville folks get renderings correct?

[Des]

I think they're planning on adding the road.

[Charles Hunter]

"Reconnecting" Monroe Street has been a topic of discussion since the Courthouse was plopped down across it.  I had hoped it was permanently put to bed, but, apparently not.

[Gambit80]

Interesting. I did not recall that being a thing. I agree with the above, not a fan.

[tufsu1]

"Reconnecting" Monroe Street has been a topic of discussion since the Courthouse was plopped down across it.  I had hoped it was permanently put to bed, but, apparently not.

I believe a requirement of the art installation was that it not impede the potential road. That said, in today's world, an open public road that close to a courthouse should be a non-starter.

[Charles Hunter]

"Reconnecting" Monroe Street has been a topic of discussion since the Courthouse was plopped down across it.  I had hoped it was permanently put to bed, but, apparently not.

I believe a requirement of the art installation was that it not impede the potential road. That said, in today's world, an open public road that close to a courthouse should be a non-starter.

Although a road there could be seen as a way to constrain public protests. Much smaller lawn and it is against the law to block public roads (to say nothing of the 'free shot' the Gov DuhSatan gave to motorists 'confronted' by demonstrators).

[fieldafm]

Interesting. I did not recall that being a thing. I agree with the above, not a fan.

This has been ongoing since 2007, really even before that if you consider that the Courthouse designs from 1999/2000 originally didnt envision leveling almost six city blocks and settling on the ugly waste of space that was built.

https://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2008-dec-duval-county-courthouse-renderings


They have wanted to continue Monroe Street throughout the grid because back during the River City Rennaissance plan that leveled LaVilla... a new highway ramp was constructed, alongside the I-95/I-10 reconstruction, at Monroe Street.  The RCR plan 'envisioned' that Monroe Street would be grand entrance into Downtown by getting rid of the 'slums' and constructing a new three-lane tree-lined street.

The problem is that the sprawling building design that was ultimately selected literally cut off that grid.

https://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2006-nov-downtown-frankenstein-lavilla-style
https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/unity-plaza-retail-site-listed-for-sale-page-2/





When the Courthouse was tens of millions (really hundreds of millions) over budget, former City officials tried to sweep up the public art money set aside (required by ordinance) and instead use that to fund this weird street redesign that would have continued Monroe Street in a long, sweeping two lane road located about 15 feet from the two-lane Adams Street in between the Courthouse and the Courthouse parking garage.

This site has been the leading voice advocating for a proper public square in place of that ridiculous roadway.

https://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-mar-peyton-struggles-the-truth-about-the-courthouse

https://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-feb-why-monroe-street-should-not-be-rebuilt



While 'successful', and that success included protecting the public art funds now being used to create art installations in the public space (at one point the chief judge wanted to use that money instead to paint portraits of judges to hang in their offices), those efforts came with a compromise. The compromise was that any public plaza had to be designed to preserve a potential Monroe Street ROW being constructed in the future.  My sincere hope is that this roadway never breaks ground before those that have been pushing for Monroe Street to be extended, pass on to the next world. so that this ridiculous idea can also be put to eternal rest.  I hope those individuals continue to live very long and happy lives... but they are long in the tooth now, so the longer that roadway can be delayed, the better.

[Zac T]

Wood frame now going up on Block N11 in Pearl Square

[tufsu1]

My sincere hope is that this roadway never breaks ground before those that have been pushing for Monroe Street to be extended, pass on to the next world. so that this ridiculous idea can also be put to eternal rest.  I hope those individuals continue to live very long and happy lives... but they are long in the tooth now, so the longer that roadway can be delayed, the better.

What should help is that FDOT will be minimizing the Monroe Street off-ramp from I-95 as part of an upcoming project

[thelakelander]

There's already a weird lane drop heading eastbound at the Emerald Trail now. This little road idea should be taken out back and shot for good.

[jaxlongtimer]

My sincere hope is that this roadway never breaks ground before those that have been pushing for Monroe Street to be extended, pass on to the next world. so that this ridiculous idea can also be put to eternal rest.  I hope those individuals continue to live very long and happy lives... but they are long in the tooth now, so the longer that roadway can be delayed, the better.

What should help is that FDOT will be minimizing the Monroe Street off-ramp from I-95 as part of an upcoming project

LOL, I remember when the City designated the Monroe Street exit from I-95 as the premier/gateway exit to Downtown.  Fixed it up and landscaped it with plenty of "Florida palm trees."  And, shortly thereafter, they plopped the Courthouse in the middle of it.  Just another example of a lack of a master plan or any plan, for that matter, for Downtown.  Pure stupidity.

Ironic, to see the Beaver Street project being designated as "Gateway."  Definitely makes more sense vs. Monroe.  4 lane, U.S. 90.  Takes private developers to fill the planning void the City has created.

[jcjohnpaint]

Anyone know where Corner Lot's Jones on Hogan is now? I believe permits have been issued a few months ago.