Prime Osborn area chosen for UF campus

[urban_]

Allegedly the grapevine suggests Lavilla will be selected as the location of the UF grad campus. I think this was the better of the two options by far.
https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/sources-committee-will-pick-prime-osbourn-area-upcoming-downtown-uf-graduate-campus/FHL3UT3EC5H6DAM32TC2BDQAJY/

[jaxlongtimer]

^ Makes lots of sense.  Very accessible from the interstates, the multi-modal transit center and the bridges. Walkable to Downtown venues and Brooklyn apartments and retail - all that will be very supportive of student lifestyles.

If the Osborne ever gets converted to an Amtrak station, maybe there is a rail link to Gainesville to add  .  The convention center could become an additional asset to UF as a dedicated conference center or for expansion of its programs.

To add, if UF builds towers, they will be visible to the interstate offering free exposure to boost their brand.  And, it will be at a gateway to the City which will also ensure a high profile and simultaneously boost the City's image.  (A lot better than a Daily's gas station and U2C maintenance shed!)

Lastly, the City will likely give them the land for free. Khan would probably want some dollars for the Fairgrounds or some other strings that would be good for him but not necessarily appealing to UF.

The next question is, what exactly is UF intending to build here?  Seems no one really knows the details.

[thelakelander]

Known about this for a while. Will be involved to ensure whatever this becomes is aligned with community goals of bringing LaVilla back the right and smart way.

[thelakelander]

The convention center could become an additional asset to UF as a dedicated conference center or for expansion of its programs.

Time to kick that raggedy, out-dated convention center out. A nice Brightline facility could be there. Don't waste a decade waiting for a billion to move the jail either. Give Hyatt a win and move on.

[jaxlongtimer]

The convention center could become an additional asset to UF as a dedicated conference center or for expansion of its programs.

Time to kick that raggedy, out-dated convention center out. A nice Brightline facility could be there. Don't waste a decade waiting for a billion to move the jail either. Give Hyatt a win and move on.

I would expect a major makeover to Obsorne if UF were to do this.  Why wouldn't continued use of Osborne in some form be an obstacle to also having a Brightline station?  Could they co-exist?  Imagine conference attendees arriving from around the State by Brightline and walking right into a conference center.  Not good TOD?

[thelakelander]

^Can't have all three (UF campus, intercity rail station, and PO) on that site. PO is already too small as is. If the goal is Amtrak, Brightline and eventually commuter rail, there's a lot of rail operation support space that will be needed. All the PO renovation in the world won't make it a viable convention center without screwing up the needs for the other two entities.

[jaxlongtimer]

^ Lake, from your comment, you are implying that UF is only using the Osborne property and no other LaVilla land.  Is this correct?  I thought they were looking for more real estate than that and assumed PO was just a "corner" to a much larger "campus."  Help me out here.

[thelakelander]

No. I'm moreso implying that the PO box that is there now is an obstacle to accommodating rail, if the goal is to also have the lion's share of UF's campus on the property. To be a competent convention center, not only would the PO need to expand, we'd also have to subsidize another Hyatt sized convention center hotel over there. If we want something like a Brightline, they likely aren't going in the old train station. A Brightline terminal would likely need to be built adjacent (like where the PO exhibition hall is) to the old train station, while the old terminal would be used by Amtrak, retail vendors, etc. There's a lot of extra track that isn't present now that would need to be added at the site as well. Plus, while a hotel would be feasible in LaVilla with a graduate campus adjacent, it doesn't need to be +500 rooms or full service. I also doubt much of what UF will do will come with some significant height. As of now, there's a 75' height limit in that section of LaVilla. I've had to opportunity to sit at the table with all of this stuff that last few years. Just don't be surprised if it doesn't make sense to keep the PO over there longterm as more things materialize.

[Captain Zissou]

Lastly, the City will likely give them the land for free. Khan would probably want some dollars for the Fairgrounds or some other strings that would be good for him but not necessarily appealing to UF.

Point of clarification here for the uninformed.  When it was first announced that UF was looking at Jacksonville for the campus, Shad offered up the fairgrounds for free as well as a $5M contribution regardless of where UF chose to put its campus. 

[thelakelander]

^Yes. Getting land for free was going to take place with any site they selected. In LaVilla, they're likely getting 22 acres of property. Fairgrounds is only 13 acres.

[thelakelander]

[Ken_FSU]

HUGE for LaVilla, and for Jax.

Combined with Gateway, that's a hell of combo.

And likely exactly what Brightline would be looking for as well.

[Charles Hunter]

So ... the Convention Center is gone?
Are the 3 buildings between Water and Bay, east of the JTA HQ part of the UF campus?

and to follow up on Ken_FSU's post that came in while I was typing - Are any of those buildings adjacent to the FECRR train stations (esp. the one next to the Lee Street Viaduct?

[Zac T]

Given this site plan, it seems Gateway made a great investment buying the Interline building property

[jaxlongtimer]

Given this site plan, it seems Gateway made a great investment buying the Interline building property

Maybe they had more than just an idea of what the decision was going to be  .

Looks like the convention center days will be numbered based on the renderings.  Although, if this is phased, it could be years before that day arrives, if ever.  I wonder if the Fair Grounds might be a new candidate for a convention center to compliment Khan's vision for that area.  May be a dark horse but don't underestimate Khan.

I also don't see any clear set aside for a rail station in the future here.  Lake, fill us in on that too.

Interesting that the lot north of JTA's building remains untouched.  I do see there is a "for sale" sign on that parcel currently.