Kings Avenue Station to break ground soon

[Metro Jacksonville]

Kings Avenue Station to break ground soon



The Southbank's next major urban infill project on the horizon is scheduled to break ground before this Summer.  The Chase Properties, Inc development is expected to be under construction for 18 months before opening its doors in late 2008/early 2009.

Full Article: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/374

[Brian Braswell]

Why Why Why NOT extend the Skyway instead?  Bring it down to street level to cut cost & run it to the sports complex!  I parked at the King St. garage for the FL GA game last year & rode it as far as the Omni.   Then I took a cab to Alltel.  Repeated the process after the game & still saved $$ & saved valuable time/traffic.   I'd be willing to wager that revenue from 1 football/baseball season in addition to concert events would surpass all other ridership combined..........Ho much more cost effective would a cable car system be?  Seems almost gimmicky.

[Lunican]

The cable cars are a gimmick, and that is why they would be privately funded. Unfortunately, JTA has no plans to extend the Skyway, and a private developer wouldn't be able to pay for it.

Also, extending the Skyway along the ground is not possible, but building a much lighter structure definitely is.

[thelakelander]

Imo, it probably is gimmicky.  I'd also bet that a skyway extension to the Stadium district, via Bay Street, with support infrastructure that isn't over built such as ours was, would cost less/mile than our planned BRT system, as well as spur additional infill development along it's path.

Nevertheless, if the developer is willing to privately finance the cable car idea, so be it.

[RG]

I really like the new rendering.  The old one looked cheap and cartoonish.  The new look is more restrained and dignified.  I am impressed.  I cant wait to see this start construction.

[dj]

This will turn out to be a nice project and will surely add some riders the Skyway.

[Jeremiah]

I've argued this point before and I'll argue it again.  Jacksonville is the perfect city for a mass transit/skyway loop.  With developments still going up all over the perimeter of Jacksonville (much like Northern Virginia and the Metro DC area), the traffic situation is only going to get worse.  But it also provides an awesome opportunity for the city to design the transit system with those developments in mind, creating a beltway through the city.  The pending commuter rail is an excellent starting point for that.  Awareness does need to be raised with city officials however before any real change can be made.  I'll get off my soap box now.

[thelakelander]

Here's a link to the floor plans for phase 1.  It includes space for two restaurants/dining areas on the ground floor.
http://internetjobsite.net/drawings/HiltonGardenInnA01toA111frmJaxSouth.pdf