Rebuilding RISE Doro

[fsu813]

Subsidized a new product to drain already struggling privately owned properties of tenants in the actual downtown core. Will say it again, DT Jax could really use a real master plan to ensure public resources are strategically used properly, effectively and efficiently.

DIA is considering investing in a plan (of some kind) now, I believe.

[jaxlongtimer]

... but the "Gator Bowl" extension seems like an easy win....  One of the main complaints about the Skyway is that it doesn't go anywhere useful, and extending it down near the stadium would connect a lot of existing (DORO) and future assets.

Nmatt, welcome aboard!

The issue I have with extending the Skyway to the stadium, aside from my overall criticisms of it, is that, from what I have observed, it cannot meaningfully and timely transport large numbers of people in relation to the stadium's capacity, probably not even in relation to the smaller seating of the arena or even the baseball grounds.  It couldn't even handle the much smaller crowds for One Spark back in the day.  I waited an hour or so in a crowd to get on it and, if I knew it up front, I could have walked the travel distance faster.

Extending to assist the Doro clearly does not justify the expense.  And, the Four Season's guests, being upscale and maybe VIP's, are unlikely to ride it or, again, to create meaningful ridership numbers.

While I am against expansion or more investment in the Skyway, going to Brooklyn appears to be the only option worth more than a second's thought before returning to the sane world  .

[Nmhatt]

Jaxlongtimer, while I agree with the criticism for the most part I do want to double back a little bit.

While I don't know the true cost of what an expansion like this would be I think the catalytic influence would be worth it in the long run. I don't expect the system to whole sale support game day surge traffic but giving people extra options for transportation is always better.

I'm looking less at the sports venues themselves as much as the link between them and the rest of the city. If we are only talking about extending the Skyway only for what is there now I totally agree that it would more or less be pointless, but in conjunction with a master plan working around a Gator bowl extension you could get potentially be connecting a conversation center, (lot J style) stadium district, MOSH etc. all of which could benefit from dependable transit (not the NAVI).

If the expansion is made the city could encourage a "park once" approach so parking needs aren't as dramatic at any one location.

P.S.
if it was available I would absolutely park at the main street garage and take the Skyway to a Shrimps game to try and beat traffic just a little.