Downtown 7-Eleven Renderings Released
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1618084560_srVsPn7-M.jpg)
7-Eleven has announced its intentions to open a downtown gas station and convenience store at the intersection of Main and Union Streets. Metro Jacksonville shares renderings of the proposed project.
Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-dec-downtown-7-eleven-renderings-released
It would be nice to see the interior layout of the proposed 7-Eleven. I wonder if it would be simple to shift the main entrance closer to Main Street?
The first plan is much better, is the change mainly to accomodate the car wash?
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/849873035_UQvA5-M.jpg)
Here is the original site plan. It appears that the changes are being made to reduce the building's size in favor of more space for on-site tanker truck delivery access around the gas pump area.
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1618084572_8ZwQNDb-M.jpg)
Revised 7-Eleven site plan
Looks like pretty much the same plan to me.
The only thing that bothers me is this:
6. Applicant to apply for and receive a deviation to eliminate entrances on Main Street and Union Street frontages prior to Final DDRB Approval.
They should keep those entrances or at least modify it with a corner entrance. Even though it will still look very similar I think they need to retain some sort of connectivity to those streets for pedestrians. What could be the reasoning behind this? Saving space?
Other than that looks like it should be a nice addition. The elimination of the cafe/outdoor seating doesn't really bother me. How many people would actually want to eat lunch at a gas station, or sitting right on Union St for that matter?
No entrances would be on Union or Main Streets.
This doesn't look as bad as I was expecting, but it does look like just another gas station.
you can say that again!
Quote from: acme54321 on December 06, 2011, 08:24:54 AM
They should keep those entrances or at least modify it with a corner entrance. Even though it will still look very similar I think they need to retain some sort of connectivity to those streets for pedestrians. What could be the reasoning behind this? Saving space?
Other than that looks like it should be a nice addition. The elimination of the cafe/outdoor seating doesn't really bother me. How many people would actually want to eat lunch at a gas station, or sitting right on Union St for that matter?
I agree. Without knowing the interior layout, I believe a corner entrance at Main & Union would be a great idea. The only real knock I see in the revised plan is now the entire building turns its back to downtown and the main intersection. Pedestrian scale urbanism and walkability is more than just sticking a building's walls next to the sidewalk. There needs to be stronger interaction in the form of opens and window displays. This could be resolved by making that tower element a functional corner entrance.
Im glad to atleast see that something is still happening. This project has been quiet for awhile.
great. another poorly designed eifs box for jacksonville. nothing like bringing your bad suburban buildings downtown.
If 7-eleven is told they need to live up to the previously approved design I bet they will.
Who is on the DDRB?
Quote from: JaxNative68 on December 06, 2011, 04:29:44 PM
great. another poorly designed eifs box for jacksonville. nothing like bringing your bad suburban buildings downtown.
This is exactly what I thought. This looks like it belongs in the St. Johns Town Center. I'm happy for the addition, but this is so plain and poorly designed.
Quote from: acme54321 on December 06, 2011, 05:16:53 PM
Who is on the DDRB?
Andy Sikes
Tim Miller
Monty Selim
Jim Bailey
John Fischer
Chris Flagg
Jonathan Garza
Logan Rink
Roland Udenze
http://www.coj.net/Departments/Jacksonville-Economic-Development-Commission/Downtown-Development/Downtown-Development-Review-Board-(DDRB)-Meeting-I.aspx (http://www.coj.net/Departments/Jacksonville-Economic-Development-Commission/Downtown-Development/Downtown-Development-Review-Board-(DDRB)-Meeting-I.aspx)
Is there anyway to contact those guys in regards to this proposal? Looks like there is just the email for the Coordinator.
Quote from: dougskiles on December 06, 2011, 07:17:01 PM
Quote from: acme54321 on December 06, 2011, 05:16:53 PM
Who is on the DDRB?
Andy Sikes
Tim Miller
Monty Selim
Jim Bailey
John Fischer
Chris Flagg
Jonathan Garza
Logan Rink
Roland Udenze
http://www.coj.net/Departments/Jacksonville-Economic-Development-Commission/Downtown-Development/Downtown-Development-Review-Board-(DDRB)-Meeting-I.aspx (http://www.coj.net/Departments/Jacksonville-Economic-Development-Commission/Downtown-Development/Downtown-Development-Review-Board-(DDRB)-Meeting-I.aspx)
can you put who they work for next to their names? in the past this board has been filled with self interested contractors and developers.
Quote from: JaxNative68 on December 07, 2011, 05:28:07 PM
Quote from: dougskiles on December 06, 2011, 07:17:01 PM
Quote from: acme54321 on December 06, 2011, 05:16:53 PM
Who is on the DDRB?
Andy Sikes
Tim Miller
Monty Selim
Jim Bailey
John Fischer
Chris Flagg
Jonathan Garza
Logan Rink
Roland Udenze
http://www.coj.net/Departments/Jacksonville-Economic-Development-Commission/Downtown-Development/Downtown-Development-Review-Board-(DDRB)-Meeting-I.aspx (http://www.coj.net/Departments/Jacksonville-Economic-Development-Commission/Downtown-Development/Downtown-Development-Review-Board-(DDRB)-Meeting-I.aspx)
can you put who they work for next to their names? in the past this board has been filled with self interested contractors and developers.
The COJ link has that info.
They better have a rented security guard patroling 24/7 or that place is going to be horribly overrun by homeless.
it looks like there is street access in the elevation
^It's just a floor-to-ceiling glass storefront window.
Thanks for the clarification. Does the zoning overlay require streetfront access to buildings?
I believe so. Like JTA's greyhound bus terminal, that's one of the deviations they've applied for.
Quote from: downtownjag on December 07, 2011, 07:36:26 PM
They better have a rented security guard patroling 24/7 or that place is going to be horribly overrun by homeless.
True.
So they eliminated the outdoor/sidewalk cafe seating? That's a bummer...while yes, I doubt it would be used regularly, I do think it looks better/more interactive to downtown instead of a wall or wall of windows. I also think a corner door would be best utilized.
And lastly, while the Downtown Orlando 7-11 missed the mark by walling off the store and thus cutting it off from pedestrians, I wish this location would "wall-off" the pump canopy like the Orlando location did and still keep the store street friendly.
Photo here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rllayman/3033905989/lightbox
What frustrates me most about local architecture is reinforced in the previous posts. We have a great architectural heritage that includes some of most beautiful buildings that I have ever seen. It is quite inspiring to walk around and see gems like the Florida Theater, the Carling, City Hall, the old Furchgotts and others. It is less than inspiring for us to be unable to create new gems for the future - even in the most simple of structures that should be adding to our cityscape rather than just attempting to blend in like yet another blur on a suburban drive down Blanding or Baymeadows...