Downtown Construction Update - March 2009

[billy]

Off topic, but did anyone go on the modern architecture bus tour at the Beaches last weekend?
If so, how was it? What houses were on the tour besides the Milam House and William Morgan's place
at Atlantic Beach?

[Ethylene]

I was there for the free portion. The program for the event is phenomenal just like last year. An extra handout covering tour details listed 25 properties. They could not possibly have stopped in to tour each. Some had to be drive by only. Copies of each brochure can be viewed in Special Collections at the Main Library.

[billy]

Is it possible to order copies?
I'm in Atlanta.

[floridaforester]

I hope that some of the Main St businesses can try to make another go @ profitability after the west side of the st has opened back up.  It was really coming along until DOT made it almost impossible to access these businesses.  The 3rd & Main project is looking good (should be nice views of the skyline from the south balconies) and I'm glad to see the main st bakery bldg with an establishment again.

On another note, is it just me or is the new name of the food court in the old "Applejax" bldg awfully ironic?  Just curious.

BTW, Great post, I really appreciate the updates on the projects.  Is there anything going on in St. Nicholas or San Jose (Old San Jose on the river)?

[David]

On another note, is it just me or is the new name of the food court in the old "Applejax" bldg awfully ironic?  Just curious.

You're not alone. A lot of us had a field day with the name in the original thread:

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,4212.0.html.

[Deuce]

Bike Jax, fsujax - I was back channeled by someone on another forum that putting in walkways for the odd streets on Main was in the works. I don't have more details but they work for the city. They stated that "I worked with SPAR, Public Works, and FDOT in getting the stamped crosswalks put in. Normally they are not allowed at non-signalized intersections, but the state was willing to forego that policy since this is a 'Town Center' corridor." They will be at 3,7,9. That's all I know.

[thelakelander]

I wonder why 5th was left out?

[Ethylene]

Billy: Re Modern Classics at the Beach 2009

There were bunches and bunches of brochures available. You should contact the events key planner and Docomomo/US FL Board Member, Richard Sheildhouse. His contact information from the Docomomo/US FL web page, http://docomomofl.org/, is shieldhouse@docomomofl.org. I am sure he will be very helpful. When I look back at the program, I see they physically visited 5 of the Modern Classics including Morgan's Dune House where they concluded their tour with a wine and cheese reception. I can't wait to see what they'll do next.

I would have jumped on the tour but I definitely needed to be in Avondale to see Peter Max, at the R. Roberts Gallery, who was making a second trip to town in as many years, alas I was out of town last year! By the end of the day, all my synapses were still firing and I had a tough time falling asleep. (I might add Saturday's weather was a spectacular, sunny 80 degree day.) That's Jacksonville for you, when there's nothing much to do there is nothing, period. But at other times, there is so much going on you are forced to make choices and compromises.

[billy]

Thanks!

[Ethylene]

I almost forgot, in between engagements above, I stopped to see a Florida Highwayman exhibit at the Beaches Museum & History Center, http://www.beachesareahistoricalsociety.com/. Too cool! Sorry last post off topic. I do live/work in the Urban Core!

[Deuce]

I wondered why 5th was left out too. Plus they're going to need one at 2 eventually.

[Bike Jax]

Bike Jax, fsujax - I was back channeled by someone on another forum that putting in walkways for the odd streets on Main was in the works. I don't have more details but they work for the city. They stated that "I worked with SPAR, Public Works, and FDOT in getting the stamped crosswalks put in. Normally they are not allowed at non-signalized intersections, but the state was willing to forego that policy since this is a 'Town Center' corridor." They will be at 3,7,9. That's all I know.

There should be no need to go back and put crosswalks in a gridded street system. Those intersections should never have been closed up. We (Bike Jax) are also working to have not just the odd streets opened up. But all the streets opened up they way they were originally designed to be.

Do you really think anyone is going to walk up to 7th or down to 3rd to cross at the intersecting roads between? No they are not. Rest assured the death rate for pedestrians will rise on Main St. once construction is done and traffic gets comfortable and complacent with the ability to reach speed once more.

How far is a handicapped individual now required to travel just to across the street? I'm sick of hearing that this design is part of livable streets design. "Yipeee, Springfield has plants in the middle of the road." "It's so pretty." The only thing the current design does is speed up traffic. There is nothing livable about faster traffic. What you got is Baymeadows with plants.

[Ocklawaha]

And what do we do if Berkman II doesn't make it? Any ideas?

Berkman school of Construction Skills?

Berkman multi-level Convention Center?

Berkman BRT/TOD Bus Station?

Multi-Level Publix - bread is located at 10 - Aisle 3, Milk at 4 - Aisle 8?

Berkman Zeppelin Terminal?

What say you?

OCKLAWAHA

[thelakelander]

A highrise monument of the boom gone bust?

[ProjectMaximus]

^^They have on of those on the Vegas Strip.