Lighting Laura Street Plan Moves Forward

[Charles Hunter]

I think I knew that Neanderthal, Ock ... from what I remember, they were underground on the Laura Street side of Hemming Park - midblock, not a corner (IIRC).  As far as I know, they weren't connected to any other tunnels - you mean like the tunnels that connect 3 of the four corners at Forsyth and Hogan? I would guess they were removed when they redid the park, after all, they put a fountain pool right over them.

There was also a building south side of Hemming Park, opposite Morrisons Cafeteria ("short line on the main floor") that had some visitor/ticket office, went there (pre-Ticket Master) to buy concert tickets (Steppenwolf!!!!).  And there was a tiny "booth" in the middle of the sidewalk, near Laura, where the old bus company (pre JTA) gave out schedules, and sold bus tickets and passes.  I remember going there to buy my 4¢ student bus tickets!  

Edit to Add: The gazebo was on the Hogan side of the Park, and I think it was moved to a park in Springfield.

[Ocklawaha]

Yes UNDER was for real. I've seen what the city has done to a few other tunnel systems and we seem to have a fairly common practice of simply filling the entry (in this case the stairs down) with debris and pouring a slab over it. If this is so, then they are still there, just as the tunnels at Forsyth or Jacksonville Terminal are still there. Funny I would have sworn they were near a corner, but now that you mention it, I remember the little "bus station" thing and all the buses surrounding the park. In fact that bus operation kept the park very fluid and full of life.

OCKLAWAHA

[JaxBorn1962]

stephendare this is a good idea but one thing I hope the city does on this project. That most of the work is done after hours, for a lot of the why Jacksonville Downtown has a chance to come back is because of what is on Laura now? If you make it hard for Customers to park on Laura are close by don't you have a chance to kill a business or two? If you have a new design only to see no business or traffic on your new sidewalks then whats the point? The landing has been a Dog for years, but being its right on the St Johns this new project could bring it back a lot faster. Sure if most of the work is done after 5pm you will get people who live Downtown a little pissed off well unless they can't give a Little bit also I say to bad .

[Steve]

One thing that I hope they consider is the pedestrian aspect during construction.  Sometimes we forget that people still walk during construction!

[JeffreyS]

I just hope it moves along quickly.

[Seraphs]

I'm glad to see this finally getting underway good deal!

[thelakelander]

Laura Street revitalization delayed, but phase one almost complete

The revitalization project is about a month behind and could cost more than expected.

Construction continues at The Jacksonville Landing. The city project is delayed because workers have encountered bulkheads from an old wharf that needed removal along with old duct banks in unexpected places beneath the street.

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2010-07-05/story/laura-street-revitalization-project-hits-some-snags-phase-one-almost

[tufsu1]

yep...the roundabout was supposed to be finished by the end of May....instead, it opened partially last week....of ourse, I think they spent 1 month just laying the cobblestones!

[Wacca Pilatka]

The article refers twice to "Independence" Drive - is this a silly typo or did I miss a street name change?

[Dapperdan]

I would imagine the further they go towards Hemming Plaza, there should be less issues like bulkheads. The Landing area literally sits over the water, but as you head North, twoard Hemming, you get to the actual river bank. They may find old trolley lines and such, but I really hope the bigger issues will be gone. I really hope this doesn't go overbudget and stall. That would be devastating to that corridor. Lets just get it finished and I bleive everyone's complaints will go away. It is a smart project.

[thelakelander]

It will probably go well over budget.  Its one thing to do cosmetic work but once you start ripping into the ground in an urban setting that has been there for over 100 years, there's no telling what you'll find.  It would not suprise me if old tanks, tunnels, utility lines, trolley ties, brick, rubble, etc. are all found during this project.

[tufsu1]

I'm thinking the hardest work was down by the Landing...remember, the roundabout created the need for the entire roadway to be rebuilt....I think the rest of the project will jut be sidewalks and curb/gutter work

[tufsu1]

FYI....the Andrew Jackson statue will be moved to its new location tomorrow....work is expextec to start around 8am and be done by about 3pm

[urbanlibertarian]

^^At 7:30 this morning a guy was blasting away at  where Pres. Jackson's statue is mounted to the pedestal.

[tufsu1]

yes...it took over 8 hours to unlock the statue from its base (apparently it was in there real good)....but around 5pm it was transported down the block...and by 6:30pm, it was set on its new pedestal in the roundabout