Urban Parks: Metropolitan Park

blizz01 · June 16, 2009, 12:56:27 PM

Again. Seriously?

tufsu1 · June 16, 2009, 02:51:00 PM

the noise wall in Tampa was added later...because the roof was built higher than the permit allowed and noise readings were far higher than were originally predicted....and since it was added later, it was in addition to the $23 million for the ampitheater itself.

blizz01 · June 16, 2009, 05:19:44 PM

OK fair enough - but look what $23 million DID get them. We're talking about $20 million JUST to move dirt, add playground equipment & tables, & upgrade the entrance. All things being equal, that would have left Tampa with $3 Million to aquire the land, build the core structure, sound stage, seating, et al...........

Coolyfett · June 16, 2009, 05:43:57 PM

QuoteAnd again, I say:
Extend either the Skyway or a trolley down to that area, and *really* realize the "flex"ibility of that space.

I totally agree, even though I am not in town, I am glad they moved the Jazz fest from this park, Treaty Oak Park gets more play from me than this one. It has train access, even with it being a smaller park. I also feel they need to change the name, when you google "Metropolitan Park" the Jax park should be the first to come up, but it isn't. They need to figure a name that lets people know "The Park in Jax on the River" that name is too generic.

tufsu1 · June 16, 2009, 09:33:03 PM

$20 million is obviously for more than just the ampitheater area of Metro Park...for example, it includes renovations to the Kids Kampus space, the on-sitebuildings, a new entrance to the park, and possibly even some rehab of the riverwalk/dock areas.

Charles Hunter · June 16, 2009, 09:49:10 PM

I think that's what blizz01 said, tufsu1. Tampa got a really great amphitheater for $23million. We get a reworked entrance and some water spritzers for the kiddies (which is good, now we don't need them at Friendship Fountain).

tufsu1 · June 16, 2009, 10:51:23 PM

Quote from: Charles Hunter on June 16, 2009, 09:49:10 PM
I think that's what blizz01 said, tufsu1. Tampa got a really great amphitheater for $23million. We get a reworked entrance and some water spritzers for the kiddies (which is good, now we don't need them at Friendship Fountain).

and what I'm saying is we also get rehabbed buildings, a redone ampitheater space, and refurbished riverwalk/dock space

blizz01 · June 16, 2009, 11:30:52 PM

What I'm saying is that for $20 million, you should be able to raze & rebuild - NOT refurbish. It just seems so blatantly disproportionate when compared to other recently completed venues (The Cruzan @ West Palm, St. Augustine, The Ford Amphitheatre). I understand that the whole of the $20 million is not entirely for the amphitheater, however the article at it's core suggests that St. Augustine is stealing business & the goal is to compete for better bookings. That said, the amphitheater at Metro Park won't be touched until the end of the "project". Dave Matthews won't be making a tour stop in Jax because we upgraded playground equipment & added picnic tables. What supplemental buildings are to be refurbished? Restrooms? Concessions? Permanent seating? In addition, the article makes no mention of a refurbished riverwalk/dock space. Sorry, but $20 million seems grossly exaggerated......................

mtraininjax · June 17, 2009, 10:00:58 PM

If the concerts are going to Suwannee and to St. Augustine DUH, SMG you freakin idiots, that is telling you that you need a better pavillion. SMG is a joke. They should be fired and the city should sue them for the millions they cost the city in fees.

Level Met park, start over, the grass is great, but dig out the front area for premium seating and sell it as the best outdoor area, south of Chastain park. For 20 million we can do that, to heck with Kids Campus, this new park is about the ADULTS!!!!!

tufsu1 · June 17, 2009, 10:24:24 PM

um...SMG just manages the facilities...the City built them!

mtraininjax · June 17, 2009, 10:28:24 PM

Quoteum...SMG just manages the facilities...the City built them!

You obviously have not been to the Arena in a very, very, very long time. As a matter of fact, we have more graduations at the arena, than we do concerts......

http://jaxevents.com/calendar.php

Sadly, we only have 5 events, yes ONLY 5 events planned the remainder of this year in the arena. After we had no less than a dozen graduations in spring of local high schools.

SMG = High school management of the future. City - fire them, put the contract out for bid.

landengr · July 15, 2009, 07:11:45 PM

The actual CIP for the City includes $25.9 million for contruction. You can look at the Master Concept Plan at the following link

http://www.coj.net/Departments/Jacksonville+Economic+Development+Commission/Downtown+Development/Downtown+Parki.htm

Keith-N-Jax · July 15, 2009, 07:37:02 PM

Looks great, for once I would like to see them stick to a plan, implement it and get the job done.

reednavy · July 15, 2009, 08:01:08 PM

So, we only have 2 events left. 2 are country music's hot ticket concerts that are always sold out. Another is a very popular R&B artist and will likely draw a huge crowd. The last is a likely to be well attended NBA game,

Also, don't forget the XMAS themed stuff that takes place at the Arnea, they're just no posted on the events site.

Jason · July 16, 2009, 01:24:00 PM

Overall it looks like a good proposal. I'm not too keen on the complete removal of Kids Kampus but in the end I think that this proposal is a better use of the site.

I also like that the alcove between the existing Met park and kid kampus is being filled in to expand the available space.

I just really hope that more trees are included where appropriate, perhaps along the riverwalk and entire perimeter of the park. Shade is never a bad thing.