Renderings of St. Johns River Park Restaurant at DIA

[Charles Hunter]

Does anyone know why the Parks Department, and not the operator, would be responsible for maintenance of the restaurant/bar/second-level deck space?

[Josh]

Concept B is the only one that I don't really care for. It doesn't make sense to make compromises to the restaurant (ceiling height, park views) in order to add a second floor if it's just going to be a passive public lookout that no one wants to maintain. Would rather see the lookout added to the top of the pump house instead as has been discussed in the past. Would actually be a fun, unique feature of the park.

What goes around, comes around [pun intended] - back in the day, the top of the pumphouse was just that, an observation deck. I recall it was open in the early 1970s, but I don't remember when the City closed it

I remember going up it as a kid, so it must have been opened until at least the early 90s.

[Ken_FSU]

What goes around, comes around [pun intended] - back in the day, the top of the pumphouse was just that, an observation deck. I recall it was open in the early 1970s, but I don't remember when the City closed it

Thanks for sharing, Charles!!!

I MUST track down some photos of this in action. Had no idea, as I didn't get to Jax until the early 2000s

Would be cool (and utilitarian) to see that little bit of history come back.

Does anyone know why the Parks Department, and not the operator, would be responsible for maintenance of the restaurant/bar/second-level deck space?

My read is that the quote was in reference to Option B, not Option C.

Option B treats the restaurant and the second-level as separate spaces. The restaurant is it's own thing, and the upper-level is an extension of St. John's Park. So, with Option B, the Parks Department would be responsible for upkeep.

For Option C, the upper level is a private space, rather than a public space, acting as an open lounge and bar under the restaurant operator. So, for Option C, the Parks Department would not be responsible for upkeep, as the deck isn't a public amenity.

[Charles Hunter]

What goes around, comes around [pun intended] - back in the day, the top of the pumphouse was just that, an observation deck. I recall it was open in the early 1970s, but I don't remember when the City closed it

Thanks for sharing, Charles!!!

I MUST track down some photos of this in action. Had no idea, as I didn't get to Jax until the early 2000s

Would be cool (and utilitarian) to see that little bit of history come back.

Does anyone know why the Parks Department, and not the operator, would be responsible for maintenance of the restaurant/bar/second-level deck space?

My read is that the quote was in reference to Option B, not Option C.

Option B treats the restaurant and the second-level as separate spaces. The restaurant is it's own thing, and the upper-level is an extension of St. John's Park. So, with Option B, the Parks Department would be responsible for upkeep.

For Option C, the upper level is a private space, rather than a public space, acting as an open lounge and bar under the restaurant operator. So, for Option C, the Parks Department would not be responsible for upkeep, as the deck isn't a public amenity.

Thanks, I understand your explanation of the Parks Department's concern. That doesn't mean the premis makes any sense. If it is part of the building, maintenance of the deck should be the same as for the rest of the building. If that part of the building is not part of the building, then I agree with Parks, especially since it would involve operation and maintenance of an elevator. Although Related's required contribution to park maintenance could go toward a maintenance contract for the elevator, and possibly for a custodial company to keep the deck clean.

[thelakelander]

I remember walking up to the top of the pump house in the early 2000s. I moved to town in 2003.

[fieldafm]

The pump house observation deck has been opened on and off for a long time. When I was in high school, it was part of our skateboard rampage route throughout the Southbank.

During the Peyton years, there are several pictures that we took from the observation deck on opening day from one of the many redesigns over years.  Don Redman's big idea this day was to throw coins in the fountain.

There are several younger, skinnier and optimistic Metro Jacksonville members in these pictures. Crazy what almost 15 years of Downtown Jacksonville does to your soul.

https://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-jun-friendship-fountain-grand-reopening