http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2011-10-13/story/jacksonvilles-shipyards-property-transformed-abandoned-lot-parkland
Downtown Jacksonville resident Malllory Hill used to go past the acres of riverfront land known as the Shipyards and wonder what the city would do with property that failed to become a condominium development.
The city regained possession of the land last year, but it still looked like the failed real estate project that it was: a vacant dirt-covered industrial tract, sealed off from the public access by a chain-link fence running along Bay Street’s sidewalk.
“The chain link fence was horrible,†Hill said Thursday. “Trash would just pile up along it.â€
But now, the fence with barbed-wire strands is gone. The city has graded the property and has been installing trees and about seven acres of Bermuda sod on the land across Bay Street from the Maxwell House coffee plant.
At least for a while, the Shipyards will be a public park, giving downtown a site big enough for people to pitch picnic blankets, throw Frisbees and just hang out on the St. Johns River.
the rest is finished after the link.
Quote from: John P on October 13, 2011, 07:34:40 PM
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2011-10-13/story/jacksonvilles-shipyards-property-transformed-abandoned-lot-parkland
Downtown Jacksonville resident Malllory Hill used to go past the acres of riverfront land known as the Shipyards and wonder what the city would do with property that failed to become a condominium development.
The city regained possession of the land last year, but it still looked like the failed real estate project that it was: a vacant dirt-covered industrial tract, sealed off from the public access by a chain-link fence running along Bay Street’s sidewalk.
“The chain link fence was horrible,†Hill said Thursday. “Trash would just pile up along it.â€
But now, the fence with barbed-wire strands is gone. The city has graded the property and has been installing trees and about seven acres of Bermuda sod on the land across Bay Street from the Maxwell House coffee plant.
At least for a while, the Shipyards will be a public park, giving downtown a site big enough for people to pitch picnic blankets, throw Frisbees and just hang out on the St. Johns River.
the rest is finished after the link.
Good news. This is what they should have done once they got the land, but still good news. Until they decide what to do next, anyway.
Now what will it take to open that pier up to the public? Can we have at least one spot in downtown where the public can fish on the river (I heard a guy complaining about this today at lunch)? Noone, we're in your playground.....
Drove by today on the way to an event at Metropolitan Park and they were watering the grass at the shipyards. Definitely an improvement.
What are the plans for Berkman II?
It's a permanent monument to the real estate bust of the past decade.
Perhaps a good location for a downtown Wendy's? Maybe I'll give Curtis Hart a call.....
Jacksonville's Gracious Front Porch.
Southern River City style.
XOXO
Quote from: Miss Fixit on October 13, 2011, 08:08:01 PM
Perhaps a good location for a downtown Wendy's? Maybe I'll give Curtis Hart a call.....
My wife just looked at me funny for the outburst of laughter at an inappropriate time.
How about we hold a baseball game there to call attention to our future public pier? We could raise money for a charity at the same time.
Quote from: JeffreyS on October 13, 2011, 08:16:16 PM
How about we hold a baseball game there to call attention to our future public pier? We could raise money for a charity at the same time.
We know Springfield could field a team. How about San Marco and Riverside? East Side to make it single-elimination knockout?
@Tacachale
QuoteHunters and travelers believed that whistling could stop a storm or calm rough waters.
Quote from: thelakelander on October 13, 2011, 07:47:58 PM
Now what will it take to open that pier up to the public? Can we have at least one spot in downtown where the public can fish on the river (I heard a guy complaining about this today at lunch)? Noone, we're in your playground.....
for Waterline Butt Level small craft users the tip of the Pier fondly AKA "Noone Point".
perfectly imperfect
Quote from: thelakelander on October 13, 2011, 07:47:58 PM
Now what will it take to open that pier up to the public? Can we have at least one spot in downtown where the public can fish on the river (I heard a guy complaining about this today at lunch)? Noone, we're in your playground.....
Councilman Don Redman Dist.4 the present city councilman of record, the Chair of the Jacksonville Waterways Commission and the city council laison for Downtown Vision can introduce legislation with 3 kicks of his cowboy boots and that pier can open tomorrow. FIND projects are being identified. The late Jacksonville Waterways Commission member John Lowe when he was a commissioner made it a point to let the other commissioners aware of FIND when the Old Fuller Warren Bridge was still a viable option for this city. I miss him. We all know how that ended up.
Everyone needs to remember that its just dumb luck that we got this back. Not skill. I was a participant at the JCCI River Dance study Putting the River in River City. The original plan did not include the Public Access that we are getting now. Especially the pier. There needs to be an active recreational access component to it and not just passive recreational access.
I was there today too. Went by Hogans Creek at Beaver and Washington and then behind the old St. Lukes Hospital. They were rolling out the grass and the trees look nice down Bay St.
The biggest concern that we all should have is that the pier remains outside the control of the yet to be created and voted on DIA, DDA, DEA or whatever Independent Authority is or is not created.
Quote from: JeffreyS on October 13, 2011, 08:16:16 PM
How about we hold a baseball game there to call attention to our future public pier? We could raise money for a charity at the same time.
This is a great idea. And that is the future plan. It is an expanded Entertainment district. A revenue generator for the new Authority. Now, I know it may sound hypocritical. So why does the pier need to be separate.
1. It restores a promise that was made to the people of Jacksonville.
2. It can serve as a tool for funding for the street car line.....Right back to you Lake and Ock.
3. It can serve as a tool for funding for the FIND matching grant.
4. Most importantly it tells the world to VISIT JACKSONVILLE!.......Our front porch Southern style.
I was thinking of the Riverkeeper at first but Children's Home Society would generate more interest and bring kids to the event. We could certainly have the Riverkeeper involved. I think we could get plenty of sponsors. The problem is the time of year the game would probably be march.
Quote from: Miss Fixit on October 13, 2011, 07:54:09 PM
Drove by today on the way to an event at Metropolitan Park and they were watering the grass at the shipyards. Definitely an improvement.
What are the plans for Berkman II?
Last I heard they were still in court battling about the parking garage collapse.
Quote from: JeffreyS on October 13, 2011, 09:00:06 PM
@Tacachale QuoteHunters and travelers believed that whistling could stop a storm or calm rough waters.
:)
Another favorite:
QuoteWhen the owl or barn owl sings, have you believed it to be a prognostication and omen of evil?
I think we've got some good baseball team names going.
this could really turn into a great, public open space. I really would like to see the pier opened to the public. Imagine how cool it would be to watch the fireworks from out there.
Does this park connect at all to Metro Park? it would be nice if some street vendors set up shoop around there. I don't know what it is about downtown, but street vendors are few and very far between. I would think spots like Friendship Fountain, and the Riverwalk, and this park would be prime vendor spots.