Lighting Laura Street Plan Moves Forward

Jerry Moran · August 16, 2009, 05:27:08 PM

QuoteThe way to address what I assume is your concern is to put a metal armrest (or something similar) on the bench separating the seats.....that negates the ability to lay down.

How many time do I have to post this photo?

I don't want vagrants hanging out in front of my business, harassing my customers and fouling the area. If any of you are interested in having a city bench put in front of your business or residence, call the City and I am sure they will oblige. They have stored a huge inventory of benches that were removed by downtown property owners and merchants.

"Lay down?" It's hardly soft little feathers that come out of bum's asses and splatter all over the sidewalk. Should I re-post that video too?

tufsu1 · August 16, 2009, 06:31:08 PM

as I said Jerry you put a metal piece separating each seat...the pic you show above shows a bench with seating for 4 people....it should have three metal separators instead of one!

Here are two examples

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gPn1jPj3mjI/SZ-F83Ven2I/AAAAAAAABoc/x5Fii614IVo/s1600-h/bench1.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gPn1jPj3mjI/SZ-F8oqUaVI/AAAAAAAABoU/mZN1zUPEk9Q/s1600-h/bench2.jpg

But if you still don't like the idea of sidewalk benches, open up shop in the suburbs....you'll have nothing but parking lots there!

Jerry Moran · August 16, 2009, 07:35:49 PM

QuoteBut if you still don't like the idea of sidewalk benches, open up shop in the suburbs....you'll have nothing but parking lots there!

Yeah, that's it. Run away from a problem instead of fixing it. Unfortunately for downtown, that's what many former residents and merchants have done, or were forced into doing.

tufsu1 · August 16, 2009, 09:17:02 PM

Stephen has said it correctly...street furniture that supports a vibrant downtown is not the problem...just an excuse!

Oh, and one more thing...there is a pocket park across the street from my house and there are at least five benches there that are iften used by "vagrants"...so I'm not immune to the issue Jerry.

Jerry Moran · August 16, 2009, 11:13:40 PM

If you choose to tolerate squalor and filth, that's your choice. I do not care to, and will not permit it on my doorstep.

Ocklawaha · August 17, 2009, 12:05:04 AM

I've got books of these benches, tables, grills, etc... Check out my favorite supplier from back in the day when I was a City Councilman. Man was THAT fun!

http://www.pilotrock.com/place_order.htm

OCKLAWAHA

904Scars · August 17, 2009, 09:01:22 AM

I ride through downtown a lot. Two semesters ago I had a few classes at FCCJ Downtown and I rode my bike nearly every day from Riverside. I honestly can say that seperating the benches isn't going to make any drastic change. They tend to sleep anywhere, ledges, alleys, sidewalks, against buildings. Honestly I think I see far less on benches downtown as opposed to the benches every 10ft on the Riverwalk. As far as public restrooms, that's a very questionable concern. Could sway both ways, the outcomes being quit obvious.

hanjin1 · August 17, 2009, 09:32:35 AM

I don't really like the public bathroom idea that much either, just because I run on the riverwalk and I go by the bathroom by the rail tracks. There are always homeless people sitting on the benches by the bathroom. I also agree that benches might not be a great idea right now. I would hold off on those until downtown starts getting more people to visit.

Captain Zissou · August 17, 2009, 10:05:33 AM

Quote from: CS Foltz on August 16, 2009, 09:32:49 AM
This stems from a lack of vision or as I like to say "The 5 P's"! That translates into "Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance"!

Not to nit-pick, but that's 6 P's. I'm just sayin.

I agree with Hanjin on the bathroom issue. A few times out of necessity on long runs I had to employ the restroom on the Southbank boardwalk. It wasn't as bad as you might think, but it was far from pleasant. As long as there is retail or restaurants DT, I'm sure folks wouldn't mind buy a soda or candy bar to use a restroom. The issue with the southbank was a lack of options at the time (which is still the case).
As far as the urban outdoorsman, I'm not sure. Is it worth it to build restrooms knowing that they would be the only ones to use them? I too have seen that the public restrooms are a hub for them to mingle around. I am also not for the benches with the dividers in the middle. I think they are extremely effective, and make canoodling almost impossible. Darn whoever installed those benches in Stinsen Park.

tufsu1 · August 17, 2009, 02:53:09 PM

Quote from: Jerry Moran on August 16, 2009, 11:13:40 PM
If you choose to tolerate squalor and filth, that's your choice. I do not care to, and will not permit it on my doorstep.

I won't permit it on my doorstep either...the problem is you and I don't own the sidewalk...its public property, available to all!

Ocklawaha · August 17, 2009, 04:05:29 PM

We have restrooms under Hemming Plaza, but they've been closed almost as long as I can remember.

I think public restrooms are vital to a livable urban core. I also think the answer lays with the large urban centers in Colombia, Brasil, Panama etc... hire the homeless - jobless, as attendants, 24/7. Allow tips as incentive for cleanliness. Allow small toiletries as convenience items and for profit sales. If it works in the poorest parts of Latin America, it sure as hell would work here.

OCKLAWAHA

blizz01 · August 17, 2009, 04:50:35 PM

QuoteWe have restrooms under Hemming Plaza

- really? Where & when?

Ocklawaha · August 17, 2009, 06:58:35 PM

Quote from: blizz01 on August 17, 2009, 04:50:35 PM
QuoteWe have restrooms under Hemming Plaza
- really? Where & when?

I imagine they are still there, if I recall they are in one of the corners of the park... but I was just a kid then, the last neanderthal had just died... Maybe someone has the old design plan. I've always wondered if those restrooms may have connected to the mile(s?) of tunnels under our city.

Finding and mapping that whole system would be ultra cool.

OCKLAWAHA

blizz01 · August 17, 2009, 07:19:48 PM

So "under" was meant literally? - That's intriguing.

Seraphs · August 17, 2009, 10:18:07 PM

Quote from: Ocklawaha on August 17, 2009, 06:58:35 PM
Quote from: blizz01 on August 17, 2009, 04:50:35 PM
QuoteWe have restrooms under Hemming Plaza
- really? Where & when?

I imagine they are still there, if I recall they are in one of the corners of the park... but I was just a kid then, the last neanderthal had just died... Maybe someone has the old design plan. I've always wondered if those restrooms may have connected to the mile(s?) of tunnels under our city.

Finding and mapping that whole system would be ultra cool.

OCKLAWAHA

Those restrooms are long gone They where under the gazebo like deal that was in the center of what use to be Hemming park. When they renovated and made it Hemming Plaza the gazebo thing went away along with the restrooms. Approx 25 years or more ago.