Metro Jacksonville

Jacksonville by Neighborhood => Downtown => Topic started by: Metro Jacksonville on January 17, 2011, 03:26:08 AM

Title: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: Metro Jacksonville on January 17, 2011, 03:26:08 AM
Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011

(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1157673391_52qwx-M.jpg)

A look at the status of various projects under construction in and around Downtown Jacksonville during the month of January.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-jan-urban-core-construction-update-january-2011
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: simms3 on January 17, 2011, 04:23:53 AM
Pictures taken early Saturday or Sunday morning I presume?  Slow progress this month...
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: thelakelander on January 17, 2011, 06:14:55 AM
Between 7 and 8am Saturday.
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: Jdog on January 17, 2011, 08:41:41 AM
Does anybody have an idea as to how costly it may have been to put the four "indented" (for lack of a better term from a non-architect) sections into the Courthouse?   
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: Overstreet on January 17, 2011, 08:43:18 AM
You'd get better pictures of Wolfson from atop the Palm Ave parking garage.
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: thelakelander on January 17, 2011, 08:55:42 AM
Thanks.  I'll keep that in mind when taking images next month.
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: dlupercio on January 17, 2011, 09:04:24 AM
Oasis, The GLBT Center of Northeast Florida have been remodeling the inside of a building directly across windixie off union street. You can't tell from the outside, but stuff is going on there.
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: Captain Zissou on January 17, 2011, 09:12:15 AM
Fresnius medical center might be the UGLIEST building I've ever seen.  Also, as the courthouse nears completion, it is becoming more and more apparent how ridiculous the scale is. Look how it dwarfs all traffic signals and everything surrounding it.
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: thelakelander on January 17, 2011, 09:18:33 AM
QuoteFresnius medical center might be the UGLIEST building I've ever seen.

I'm suprised with the limited amount of windows that building has.
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: dougskiles on January 17, 2011, 09:33:44 AM
Quote from: thelakelander on January 17, 2011, 09:18:33 AM
QuoteFresnius medical center might be the UGLIEST building I've ever seen.

I'm suprised with the limited amount of windows that building has.

What a shame, too, because when the FDOT Overland Bridge project is completed, that intersection will become more prominent.

(http://i52.tinypic.com/353cgzq.jpg)

It is the building opposite (below) the traffic signal symbol.
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: Captain Zissou on January 17, 2011, 09:38:40 AM
With any luck it will go out of business or move.  That blank wall facing Atlantic is just asking to get tagged.  Maybe we could commission another mural.
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: mallen66 on January 17, 2011, 09:41:23 AM
Jdog
Today at 08:41:41 AM
Does anybody have an idea as to how costly it may have been to put the four "indented" (for lack of a better term from a non-architect) sections into the Courthouse? 

Dog, It'd be tough to put an exact number on it. Many factors short term and long term apply. For example, long term, money will be saved on Utility costs due to less square footage and also in terms of lighting, heating and the cooling of the space in that area due to the shade the overhang provides. Short term, however, yes, it cost more, mostly due to labor, some due to materials. Less concrete was used in the structure in that area, but a bit more concrete may have been required for the floor structures above to support the added stresses. More materials may have been required for plumbing and HVAC (continuous runs may have had to be rerouted, etc.). Even the design/ architecture fees might have increased to some degree, especially if this was a requested revision.

All in all, short term costs, I would give a wild guess of an extra 1-5 million, wholesale...lord knows what the city paid, lol.

You may not care for it much, but without it the lack of break in the facade would have made the building more bland then it already is. Although, it still is not finished yet, so I should save my opinions until later. That and the brand new "concrete" clad exterior is so clean, it will probably improve esthetically, actually, with a little grit and grime added. I'am very interested to see the lighting features to the exterior (and illuminating from the interior). It may or may not make the building a nice spectacle at night, as well. Big opportunity for that.
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: Bativac on January 17, 2011, 10:06:45 AM
Wow, the courthouse is huge!

Also it's nice to see that Fresenius building all painted and fixed up. It was looking rough for awhile. Though it would have also been nice to see a couple windows added, but I can see why that didn't happen.
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: copperfiend on January 17, 2011, 10:10:34 AM
Quote from: Captain Zissou on January 17, 2011, 09:38:40 AM
That blank wall facing Atlantic is just asking to get tagged.  Maybe we could commission another mural.

Great idea!!!
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: ubben on January 17, 2011, 10:13:28 AM
The first person sentenced to jail in that courthouse should be its architect. I'd recommend a life sentence for Crimes Against Design.
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: comncense on January 17, 2011, 11:02:58 AM
Wow, still no talk about the spot between Mark's and the tattoo shop? Is it some deep cover FBI project?
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: Captain Zissou on January 17, 2011, 12:17:25 PM
As for the cut outs on the courthouse.... i don't like them, but they're necessary.  Think of how boring the structure would be otherwise.  It would be 400 feet of uninterrupted plain wall.  You'd think that having to create giant cut outs to prevent the courthouse from looking terrible would be a strong indication that the design was bad.
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: urbanlibertarian on January 17, 2011, 12:44:21 PM
Quote from: comncense on January 17, 2011, 11:02:58 AM
Wow, still no talk about the spot between Mark's and the tattoo shop? Is it some deep cover FBI project?

I've heard the building's owner is doing necessary maintenance to the facade.
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: peestandingup on January 17, 2011, 02:30:03 PM
I love that the biggest downtown project in years (decade?) is a courthouse. That should tell you something right there.
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: Jason on January 17, 2011, 02:45:00 PM
Wolfson's is definitely going vertical, although it appears the holiday and/or weather has stopped construction for today.  I got a good look at it this morning from the garage.
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: Overstreet on January 17, 2011, 04:56:31 PM
Quote from: Jason on January 17, 2011, 02:45:00 PM
Wolfson's is definitely going vertical, although it appears the holiday and/or weather has stopped construction for today.  I got a good look at it this morning from the garage.

..........by around 70 to 80 feet if you count the caissons and red iron in place.
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: Fallen Buckeye on January 17, 2011, 08:16:08 PM
Anyone know when the Friendship Fountain is supposed to be finished?
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: ben says on January 18, 2011, 07:42:54 AM
Am I the only one who looks at the courthouse project as a glass half-full? I'm the first to admit I'm a tad biased, as I work in the legal world and visit the courthouse at least once a day. The old one is a blight that needs to come down. It's ugly, dysfunctional, and ruins the booming vibe that's going down on East Bay Street. I DO agree that the design is crap and we missed a real opportunity to put up a nice edifice downtown. That being said, I like the look of the courthouse from the highway. Also, it's a great opportunity to pull down the old courthouse and enhance East Bay Street with something genuinely nice or needed. Whether the city or developers will actually do something with the space, who knows, but at least it forces the opportunity.
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: acme54321 on January 18, 2011, 08:10:45 AM
Quote from: dougskiles on January 17, 2011, 09:33:44 AM
Quote from: thelakelander on January 17, 2011, 09:18:33 AM
QuoteFresnius medical center might be the UGLIEST building I've ever seen.

I'm suprised with the limited amount of windows that building has.

What a shame, too, because when the FDOT Overland Bridge project is completed, that intersection will become more prominent.

(http://i52.tinypic.com/353cgzq.jpg)

It is the building opposite (below) the traffic signal symbol.

Doug, where did you get this image?  Looks to be a more recent version than the ones we saw at the public forum a couple of months ago in the school board building.
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: Basstacular on January 18, 2011, 09:45:16 AM
Quote from: Fallen Buckeye on January 17, 2011, 08:16:08 PM
Anyone know when the Friendship Fountain is supposed to be finished?
Spoke to a friend over this past weekend whose company is contracted to put the lighting and fountain system in for Friendship Fountain.  They are local and have also been contracted to do the fountain work on the NY WTC project according to him.  He told me the project was set to finish late Spring of this year.  He also informed me that once complete, it was truly going to be a spectacle and a beacon for the Southbank.  He also said the City desperately wants the project complete well in time for the next football season (assuming there is one and no lockout) in order to be a showcase point for network footage on whatever national game(s) the Jags have, FL/GA and Gator Bowl.
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: Jason on January 18, 2011, 10:37:49 AM
Shots of the Wolfson's Adult Tower construction from about an hour ago from atop the parking garage...



(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/asonj23/01180935a.jpg)


(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/asonj23/01180935.jpg)


(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/asonj23/01180934.jpg)


(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/asonj23/01180935b.jpg)
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: heights unknown on January 18, 2011, 11:03:33 AM
As if downtown really needs another sandwich shop and a park. (sigh) what else can you do? What's listed is what's going on and I guess it's better than nothing at all.

HU
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: urbaknight on January 19, 2011, 03:39:09 PM
I heard that the current courthouse and the city hall annex building are both set to come down sometime after the new courthouse opens.

I wonder if there's any possible way the skyway can go down bay st. I looked at bing maps and parts of the sidewalk look too narrow for the support pylons.

But think of it, the location of the city hall annex building would be a perfect place for a skyway station! It's right between the bars and taxis can sit and wait for costumers, they don't have to call and wait as they can just go across the street.
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: fsujax on January 19, 2011, 03:51:38 PM
nice picture of the crane! wish we had more of those Downtown!
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: tufsu1 on January 19, 2011, 06:50:42 PM
Quote from: urbaknight on January 19, 2011, 03:39:09 PM
I heard that the current courthouse and the city hall annex building are both set to come down sometime after the new courthouse opens.

I don't think that has been decided yet
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: hightowerlover on January 24, 2011, 02:42:45 PM
where is the urban core destructions update - January 2011?
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: simms3 on January 24, 2011, 03:14:45 PM
Thanks for the aerial shots Jason!  (and thanks Ennis for your monthly construction contributions!)

I hope we'll see something more exciting within a few months.  As little as there is going on in Jax, there isn't much more going on in Atlanta...
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: Jason on January 28, 2011, 09:35:29 AM
Moving on up!

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/asonj23/01280829.jpg)
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: assorted on February 04, 2011, 08:29:14 AM
Anyone know what is going on at the space next to Dive Bar i noticed a big tarp over front of the building?
Title: Re: Urban Core Construction Update - January 2011
Post by: Captain Zissou on February 04, 2011, 10:00:22 AM
That's mentioned somewhere in the thread.  According to that poster, just routine maintenance