http://www.jtafla.com/News/showPage.aspx?news=135 (http://www.jtafla.com/News/showPage.aspx?news=135)
JTA turns Art Walk into Art Ride
In celebration of its 55th anniversary, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) announces a new way in which it supports the arts and downtown Jacksonville: Art Ride. On December 1, the JTA Skyway will become part of Downtown Vision’s Art Walk by displaying works by local artists at five of its stations. Art Walk attendees will also be able to ride the Skyway system for free from 5-10 p.m.
In partnership with Null Space Gallery and Williams-Cornelius & Associates, JTA will showcase local artists including Jim Smith, Kelly Messer, Russell Maycumber, Clark Lunberry, Ian Chase, Andrew Chadwick and the Leon Castelli Group, who will invigorate thought and interpretation using sight, sound and movement. Art Riders can expect a diverse range in art installations at the Skyway stations such as mixed media, sculpture, drawings, roving sound, performance and video projection.
Art installations will be displayed at the Central and Hemming Plaza stations Downtown and the Kings Avenue, Riverplace and San Marco stations on the Southbank. Art Walk participants can begin their Art Ride experience at any Skyway station, and those who visit all five station exhibits will be eligible to win gift certificates from local restaurants including Burrito Gallery, Café Nola, Chew, European Street Cafe, Indochine and Uptown Market or a Jacksonville Museum of Contemporary Art membership. Parking is free at any Skyway station lot after 5 p.m.
Based on ridership during November Art Walk, the Riverside Trolley will, once again, have extended service until midnight.
For more information about JTA, visit www.jtafla.com.
Sounds cool.
Now thats Big City right there!!! Lake man can you cover that?? We gotta see the footage!
Sweet! Finally making use of those vast and sterile stations!!
Quote from: Coolyfett on November 23, 2010, 09:42:16 PM
Now thats Big City right there!!! Lake man can you cover that?? We gotta see the footage!
I try to get out and get some shots.
Great idea! This should be part of EVERY Art Walk!
Glad to see the Skyway being used in this way. If it is successful I am sure JTA would be willing to do it every ArtWalk. Just like extending the trolley hours. I would like to see art made permanent at Skyway stations.
I thought it was free all the time?
Something we have been pushing all along, MAKE THE SKYWAY PART OF DOWNTOWN, rather then a void through he middle of it.
Toss in some kiosk's and the mayors hot dog carts and we might even create some connectivity. At least it's a start. As for fare free, that's something else that SHOULD BE in our downtown plan - a fare free zone that includes the entire Skyway. This would encourage more then enough riders to and from the downtown to offset the current costs of turnstile maintenance...or the lack thereof.
OCKLAWAHA
Quote from: Ocklawaha on November 24, 2010, 09:40:11 AM
Something we have been pushing all along, MAKE THE SKYWAY PART OF DOWNTOWN, rather then a void through he middle of it.
Toss in some kiosk's and the mayors hot dog carts and we might even create some connectivity. At least it's a start. As for fare free, that's something else that SHOULD BE in our downtown plan - a fare free zone that includes the entire Skyway. This would encourage more then enough riders to and from the downtown to offset the current costs of turnstile maintenance...or the lack thereof.
OCKLAWAHA
I'm spending the day in Miami, checking out TOD. Speaking of free, after brief stop at the MIC, I'm going to take metrorail to metromover (skyway's sibling) to spend a little time in DT Miami and Brickell. Should be an interesting compare/contrast.
Quote from: fieldafm on November 24, 2010, 09:48:13 AM
Quote from: Coolyfett on November 24, 2010, 09:35:35 AM
Quote from: Shwaz on November 24, 2010, 09:31:21 AM
I thought it was free all the time?
Well....it is.
It hasnt been free for a long time now. The fare is .50
Not really, the fare collection machines don't work in 50% of the stations and they are broken in the other 50%... The whole city has been hoping over the rail for a decade while JTA reports "nobody rides." Sort of like taking the tires off your car and complaining that it doesn't roll.
Should be interesting Lake.. OCKLAWAHA
Quote from: Ocklawaha on November 24, 2010, 10:14:32 AM
Quote from: fieldafm on November 24, 2010, 09:48:13 AM
Quote from: Coolyfett on November 24, 2010, 09:35:35 AM
Quote from: Shwaz on November 24, 2010, 09:31:21 AM
I thought it was free all the time?
Well....it is.
It hasnt been free for a long time now. The fare is .50
Not really, the fare collection machines don't work in 50% of the stations and they are broken in the other 50%... The whole city has been hoping over the rail for a decade while JTA reports "nobody rides." Sort of like taking the tires off your car and complaining that it doesn't roll.
Should be interesting Lake..
OCKLAWAHA
Just to clarify... I was only kidding... except that most of the time I don't pay to ride. After dumping the exact fare in the machine and it not letting me pass time after time... I just stop paying.
hopping....hope doesn't lift you very far. ;D
Unless you're thinking happy thoughts. ;)
and have fairy dust on you!
Quote
Just to clarify... I was only kidding... except that most of the time I don't pay to ride. After dumping the exact fare in the machine and it not letting me pass time after time... I just stop paying.
I've had this happen to me a few times. I drop the correct fare in, nothing happens. Next I make sure everyone around me knows I paid, then I jump over. I wish they would fix the turnstiles.
Quote from: Captain Zissou on November 24, 2010, 10:40:48 AM
Quote
Just to clarify... I was only kidding... except that most of the time I don't pay to ride. After dumping the exact fare in the machine and it not letting me pass time after time... I just stop paying.
I've had this happen to me a few times. I drop the correct fare in, nothing happens. Next I make sure everyone around me knows I paid, then I jump over. I wish they would fix the turnstiles.
The best is seeing people who have probably never ridden the sky get a malfunction at the turnstile. They freak out like if they jump through a swat team is going to break through the doors and take them down :D
My move is to act like I'm dropping change in, then walk into the the locked turnstile, throw my hands up in the air and then squeeze through.
Quote from: thelakelander on November 24, 2010, 09:55:22 AM
I'm spending the day in Miami, checking out TOD. Speaking of free, after brief stop at the MIC, I'm going to take metrorail to metromover (skyway's sibling) to spend a little time in DT Miami and Brickell. Should be an interesting compare/contrast.
unfortunately the Dolphins are in Oakland this weekend...it might have been nice for you to see them live...you know, before their normal December collapse ;D
Sorry, I guess the sarcasm went right over my head. Congrats b/c that doesnt happen often, lol.
Goes to show you how much JTA values the Skyway when they dont even care about working turnstiles, revenue, and accurate passenger counts.
BTW, I always pay before I jump over the broken turnstiles.
Quote from: tufsu1 on November 24, 2010, 10:56:32 AM
Quote from: thelakelander on November 24, 2010, 09:55:22 AM
I'm spending the day in Miami, checking out TOD. Speaking of free, after brief stop at the MIC, I'm going to take metrorail to metromover (skyway's sibling) to spend a little time in DT Miami and Brickell. Should be an interesting compare/contrast.
unfortunately the Dolphins are in Oakland this weekend...it might have been nice for you to see them live...you know, before their normal December collapse ;D
The season is already over. Don't worry about me, I got see them beat the Jags last year.
Quote from: fsujax on November 24, 2010, 08:27:31 AM
Glad to see the Skyway being used in this way. If it is successful I am sure JTA would be willing to do it every ArtWalk. Just like extending the trolley hours. I would like to see art made permanent at Skyway stations.
Naw Thats not a good idea?? Wait what sort of art do you mean?
Quote from: fieldafm on November 24, 2010, 09:48:13 AM
Quote from: Coolyfett on November 24, 2010, 09:35:35 AM
Quote from: Shwaz on November 24, 2010, 09:31:21 AM
I thought it was free all the time?
Well....it is.
It hasnt been free for a long time now. The fare is .50
For you it has, I think I only put coins in that thing 3 or 4 times. Always was skinny enough to go thru the side of the turnstyle. Road the skyway maybe 200 times..easily
Quote from: Ocklawaha on November 24, 2010, 10:14:32 AM
Quote from: fieldafm on November 24, 2010, 09:48:13 AM
Quote from: Coolyfett on November 24, 2010, 09:35:35 AM
Quote from: Shwaz on November 24, 2010, 09:31:21 AM
I thought it was free all the time?
Well....it is.
It hasnt been free for a long time now. The fare is .50
Not really, the fare collection machines don't work in 50% of the stations and they are broken in the other 50%... The whole city has been hoping over the rail for a decade while JTA reports "nobody rides." Sort of like taking the tires off your car and complaining that it doesn't roll.
Should be interesting Lake..
OCKLAWAHA
Ocks right yall, either the 1982 ShowBiz Pizza Coin Machine was off/broken or the exit turnstyle was broke and spun in reverse or you could hit the handicap button & the glass wheelchair door would open...this always worked at Terminus Station. I think the people that actually get counted are the people who swipe the JTA Passes.
yes
(http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/5986/49693064.jpg)
(http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/6129/38915834.jpg)
(http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/9851/59595581.png)
After reading a thread about Bike Boulevards. Are you allowed and does anyone bring their bike on the skyway? Just curious.
This special event is at night. But what about during the day or other events?
I saw the trolley today. I don't know why it would have gone anywhere today, but it was empty :(
Last time I looked it was NOT PERMITTED to bring a bike on the Skyway... Rah! I mean after all we are talking about the resident organized Neanderthals of NE Florida who planned the stupid thing...
This is something that shouldn't be too hard for us to get fixed.
The "Trolley?" I wish you had REALLY seen THE TROLLEY rather then that pathetic clinking, clanking, clattering collection of caliginous transit junk.
OCKLAWAHA
If you have a bike, then you can probably get around downtown faster on it rather than even taking the Skyway. So it would not make much sense to even bring a bike on the Skyway?
Probably not...
Quote from: Dog Walker on November 24, 2010, 10:29:04 AM
hopping....hope doesn't lift you very far. ;D
It's my HOPE that JTA will continue to CHANGE for the better! The potential as outlined for December 1st is tremendous! Hopping with or without coins will be optional! Thanks JTA, may you please evolve and continue to get it! (Fingers Crossed)
If JTA is the product of evolution, then I think you may have stumbled on an answer to the question, "What happened to the dinosaurs?"
OCKLAWAHA
Who all took advantage?
Lake was out taking pictures. I posted some on my facebook.
Did you like the art installations? Do you think more permanent art would be good for the Skyway system and downtown in general?
Do you like the evening service for Riverside Trolley?
I will say, the JTA people working the stations were all very nice and very helpful.
Unfortunately, there were still some 'wave-throughs' on the Trolley tonight. Dont know how you can get an accurate ridership count to prove this service NEEDS to be extended to evening hours if you dont have an accurate way to count riders.
Ridership was WAY up on the Skyway during my usual commute. SRO on cars that usually have open seats. I can't speak for the after 5:15 crowd, but it was (and yes, I am assuming) comprised of mostly transient types not at all concerned with the art or event.
I was disappointed that it did not appear JTA took a moment to tidy up the stations. The escalator handrails were still filthy and the platforms looked dingy. To be fair, I wasn't expecting a spit shine, but would dragging a mop or rag over the station be too much to ask when you are expecting company?
I was also underwhelmed by the art. But now I'm just being judgy.
I rode the Skyway several times tonight...good crowds..especially comnsidering that the "cold" put a bit of a damper on Art Walk
My friend and I did the trolley this time as last month we weren't able to. Overall, the experience and convenience of it was great, especially considering that it picks up on the corner of my street. There was only maybe 4 people heading in, this was around 5:15 pm. When we arrived downtown we walked up a block and started on the skyway. The art installations were interesting; however the stations are so big that it overwhelms them. I agree that the JTA employees were very friendly. We caught the 9:30 trolley back to riverside and sadly, were the only riders the entire trip. Hopefully it's just a one off due to the cold catching everyone off guard. If people aren't riding though I don't think it'll continue and would make JTA hesitant for expanded hours for future events and weekend/regular hours.
I do not understand why folks wouldn't want to go out and enjoy Art Walk in the cold. It is what this time of year is all about. I have to say the display at the San Marco Skyway station was pretty cool. The projections the artist had on the Prudential Building was nice. That is the kind of stuff we need downtown all the time. The crowds seemed a little smaller than normal. No doubt this effected ridership on the trolley and the skyway.
San Marco Station
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Events/Downtown-Jacksonville-Art-Walk/P1430204/1111623867_J38tA-M.jpg)
Central Station
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Events/Downtown-Jacksonville-Art-Walk/P1430185/1111623388_uNURY-M.jpg)
Kings Avenue Station
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Events/Downtown-Jacksonville-Art-Walk/P1430201/1111623642_aNprX-M.jpg)
I rode the Skyway too! Making the complete loop filling out my "passport" with stamps at the 5 stops promoted, Hemming, Central, San Marco, Riverplace and King's Ave. I made one calculated error at Central and we ended up immediately returning to Hemming. Due to the cold, we stayed put and rode out to Rosa Parks and I got a view of a stained glass window along the route and at route level that one might never see from the outside street level. That was a nice plus! I will say more as the thread unwinds but definitely the cold was a deterrent to most. Mr. Blaylock was out observing too. We actually rode back to Hemming in the same car but he did not engage with most folks, that should not surprise but alas it's the way it is!
Is that a grenade in the last photo? I couldn't bring myself to ask!
Quote from: Julian on December 02, 2010, 08:41:05 AM
My friend and I did the trolley this time as last month we weren't able to. Overall, the experience and convenience of it was great, especially considering that it picks up on the corner of my street.
Sorry Julian, you rode a DELUSIONAL-POTATO-CHIP-TRUCK, that JTA thinks is a "Trolley".OCKLAWAHA
you know, I was wondering why I had such a strong urge for ruffles. With that said, I am willing to support it if the end result is a fixed track actual streetcar, as in this current guise it doesn't seem a viable long term solution. On a side note, when we got off the skyway at hemming plaza, JTA had a display set up illustrating their history, when I pointed out a historical picture they had of a downtown streetcar and told the representative "When are you bringing those back?" she responded "yeah those were the days.....our future though may have water trolleys that take you from island to island" while she pointed at a picture of a large futuristic passenger ferryboat/hovercraft. I thanked her for her time and walked away.
Quote from: Julian on December 02, 2010, 12:36:57 PM
"yeah those were the days.....our future though may have water trolleys that take you from island to island" while she pointed at a picture of a large futuristic passenger ferryboat/hovercraft.
After y'all left downtown I came by about 2am and caught this night vision shot of JTA's idea for the future! Steve Arrington told me all they have to do is slide rails under it and it will be Light Rail. (http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bQsuhPJduqQ/TPgF7H2xdnI/AAAAAAAADL0/nrizZOSaDdI/s640/TROLLEY%20BOAT%20jta.jpg)
OCKLAWAHA
^^^LOL Ock you are too funny sometimes!
Quote from: fsujax on December 02, 2010, 04:16:40 PM
^^^LOL Ock you are too funny sometimes!
Well the old planner told me that they tried to use just ONE trolley pole at first, grounding it into the river, but the fish kill was fantastic... OCKLAWAHA
QuoteI can't speak for the after 5:15 crowd, but it was (and yes, I am assuming) comprised of mostly transient types not
I saw several JTA employees address transient individuals on the platforms. I think they actually did a good job in this regard.
QuoteIs that a grenade in the last photo? I couldn't bring myself to ask!
That was my interpretation.
QuoteMy friend and I did the trolley this time as last month we weren't able to. Overall, the experience and convenience of it was great, especially considering that it picks up on the corner of my street.
Would you use an evening service and do you like the current route?
Lake, thanks for getting my good side in picture 2.
Quote from: Singejoufflue on December 01, 2010, 10:52:51 PM
Ridership was WAY up on the Skyway during my usual commute. SRO on cars that usually have open seats. I can't speak for the after 5:15 crowd, but it was (and yes, I am assuming) comprised of mostly transient types not at all concerned with the art or event.
I was disappointed that it did not appear JTA took a moment to tidy up the stations. The escalator handrails were still filthy and the platforms looked dingy. To be fair, I wasn't expecting a spit shine, but would dragging a mop or rag over the station be too much to ask when you are expecting company?
I was also underwhelmed by the art. But now I'm just being judgy.
Naw, I think thats a wasted investment for one Art Walk. Im not sure how often they pressure wash, but they may be do for one, at least the original 3 Stations.