Urban Construction Update - January 2012
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1671402310_ZBhpjz7-M.jpg)
Here's a look at the status of various projects under construction in and around Downtown Jacksonville as of January 2012.
Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-jan-urban-construction-update-january-2012
Very nice. Unfortunately attempting to participate Downtown yesterday in what has to be considered a wholesome family activity and something that we both witnessed together a year ago was fishing.
After CG7 and I kayaked Downtown and he checked out the brand new no fishing sign (1 of 7) at the Hyatt to the pier. I decided yesterday to go to the marina. I remember Capt. Suber mentioning at A Waterways meeting that part of the marina was open to fisherman. And I've seen them.
So yesterday I go down and there are brand new no fishing signs. Also this is another one of Mayor Browns Kayak launches. that was another reason for my visit. These no fishing signs say that you are allowed to fish off the wooden docks of Metropolitan park.
So when I get to Metropolitan Park its closed. It is only open Monday -Friday 8-5. So in this Entertainment District I take it back to Shipyards and there are a number of people just standing at the fence looking at our beautiful St. Johns River our American Heritage River a Federal Initiative. Two decide to jump over the fence and enjoy the unabstructed access.
At this point realizing that I have attempted on a beautiful chamber of Commerce day that access to throw a fishing line in the water and I have a license that I have purchased to do this activity is Not Happening in this District.
So now I take it back to Sidney J Gefen Park. Dave Roman mentioned this spot to me at the announcement of Lisa Rinamon as a new St. Johns Riverkeeper replacing Neil Armingeon. So now at this location I put a piece of shrimp on my hook and I'm participating in a Downtown Destination River activity. Brought a Vivian Harrell blue bag and I'm also cleaning up the area. Saw CG7 and Da Monster both enjoying the outdoors in their own way on our Northbank Riverwalk.
I'm excited about CoWork Jax. Lets CoAccess our River
I love the construction updates, but I would be interested in an update on what has already been constructed, to see if it is being maintained. Places like The Northbank Riverwalk could be so much more enjoyable with some upkeep, and enhancements. Partnering with the landowners along the Riverwalk (Haskell, LPS, The Times Union) on things like sculptures, and fountains. Partnering with garden clubs on installing and maintaining gardens. Along with the beautiful river views these simple things would make the Rivewalks (I know the Soubank Riverwalk is hopefully going to be reconstructed soon) into destinations for many more people.
I think the northbank riverwalk is kept up pretty well...and there are partnerships with companies like Haskell, Everbank, DuPont Trust, and Fidelity....that can be clearly seen when looking at the gardens and landscaping at the western end.
They are kept up because Nooney was in the water pulling garbage out by himself yesterday. I am just saying (because when I am down there I ask visitors what they would like to see) add something of interest, we have the most boring public spaces I have ever seen. Why can't we have the most stimulating public spaces I have ever seen?
What's going in at 1534 Oak St?
Construction is moving along quite well at 1534.
Quote from: stephenc on January 16, 2012, 10:21:48 AM
What's going in at 1534 Oak St?
^That's were Chew will be relocating to.
Lake - What is the new building going in on San Marco Blvd, just up the street from Bistro Aix?
Will the city ever completely finish San Marco Blvd?
the City is doing San Marco Blvd in segments...the first 2 segments are done and open....the third segment should be done by fall
Apparently I missed that Walker's closed?
What happened?
Quote from: mtraininjax on January 16, 2012, 05:02:09 PM
Lake - What is the new building going in on San Marco Blvd, just up the street from Bistro Aix?
Will the city ever completely finish San Marco Blvd?
It's an attorney's office.
Haha, the 2nd courthouse picture looks like it has the Diorama effect placed on it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miniature_faking (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miniature_faking) :)
I love the construction updates.
Quote from: iloveionia on January 16, 2012, 05:53:32 PM
Apparently I missed that Walker's closed?
What happened?
From what I've seen, its pretty normal for "clubs" to reinvent themselves every few years....I believe they are planning a new entertainment concept.
I was told they will reopen as a tapas bar.
Quote from: thelakelander on January 16, 2012, 10:08:04 PM
I was told they will reopen as a tapas bar.
Good we could use more tapas concepts here. Perhaps that would make more room at 13 Gypsies.
Quote from: tufsu1 on January 16, 2012, 09:39:51 AM
I think the northbank riverwalk is kept up pretty well...and there are partnerships with companies like Haskell, Everbank, DuPont Trust, and Fidelity....that can be clearly seen when looking at the gardens and landscaping at the western end.
Quote from: CG7 on January 16, 2012, 10:04:25 AM
They are kept up because Nooney was in the water pulling garbage out by himself yesterday. I am just saying (because when I am down there I ask visitors what they would like to see) add something of interest, we have the most boring public spaces I have ever seen. Why can't we have the most stimulating public spaces I have ever seen?
Another partnership that was arriving when I was leaving was a community service jail detail.
And CG7 is right. We should have the most stimulating public spaces. MJ'ers, Does anybody care that it took me hours to finally find a spot where I could legally participate in a Downtown Destination River activity.
At the end of the Peyton administration the fences were taken down and moved. And now the expanded and ever far reaching boundries of the new Authority are being stretched out. None of this was in Waterways. Are our Regional Partners getting excited about this leadership to restrict economic opportunity and Public Access to our St. Johns River our American Heritage River a Federal Initiative? Shipyards III
At last weeks gathering with the commissioners of FIND appointed by the governor and representing the east coast of the state of Florida and a new year with a new administration and new city council, commissioners were asking me about Jacksonville and now a good solid 3 years later I still don't have one sponsor (city councilmember) for a pocket pier that I could bring back to the commissioners of FIND.
And I want to be very clear that this is in no way a reflection of former FIND commissioner Mike Messiano or current commissioner Aaron Bowman
One of the biggest Urban Construction Updates for Jacksonville in January 2012 is that the Historic Promised 680' Downtown Public Pier is NOT on the FIND list. SHIPYARDS III. The Public Trust has been just totally destroyed in this community.
Palms Fish Camp???????
Councilman Redman???????
Is Pulp Juice Bar really not open yet? Does it still plan to? Seems like it's been "under construction" for well over a year, no?
QuoteApparently I missed that Walker's closed?
What happened?
He is putting a kitchen in.
QuoteIs Pulp Juice Bar really not open yet? Does it still plan to? Seems like it's been "under construction" for well over a year, no?
You should start see movement on it shortly. The building took a total gutting. At issue now is that the ceiling beams need to be replaced. This requires adjacent Petal to have to temporarily close in order for the work to be completed. No retailer wants to go on vacation over the holiday season. Now that the holidays are over, work should start late Jan or early Feb with Pulp hopefully open for the busy Spring season.
QuoteYou should start see movement on it shortly. The building took a total gutting. At issue now is that the ceiling beams need to be replaced. This requires adjacent Petal to have to temporarily close in order for the work to be completed. No retailer wants to go on vacation over the holiday season. Now that the holidays are over, work should start late Jan or early Feb with Pulp hopefully open for the busy Spring season.
I had heard Pulp was completely dead.
Quote from: cline on January 17, 2012, 09:18:34 AM
QuoteYou should start see movement on it shortly. The building took a total gutting. At issue now is that the ceiling beams need to be replaced. This requires adjacent Petal to have to temporarily close in order for the work to be completed. No retailer wants to go on vacation over the holiday season. Now that the holidays are over, work should start late Jan or early Feb with Pulp hopefully open for the busy Spring season.
I had heard Pulp was completely dead.
I talked to him last week.
CoWork Jax info: http://coworkjax.com/ (http://coworkjax.com/)
What is Sweet Lady Blue exactly?
I think its going to be a southern/soul food restuarant and bar.
http://www.sweetladyblue.com/
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/44/1645982/restaurant/Urban-Core/Sweet-Lady-Blue-Jacksonville
http://jax-dining.com/
Quote from: fieldafm on January 17, 2012, 09:21:44 AM
Quote from: cline on January 17, 2012, 09:18:34 AM
QuoteYou should start see movement on it shortly. The building took a total gutting. At issue now is that the ceiling beams need to be replaced. This requires adjacent Petal to have to temporarily close in order for the work to be completed. No retailer wants to go on vacation over the holiday season. Now that the holidays are over, work should start late Jan or early Feb with Pulp hopefully open for the busy Spring season.
I had heard Pulp was completely dead.
I talked to him last week.
I'm not businessman, but I can't imagine Pulp brings in much profit....
It would be great if Sweet Lady Blue ended up being like Sweet Georgia's Juke Joint in Atlanta. That place has GREAT food. http://www.sweetgeorgiasjukejoint.com/
Does anyone know what's going on at Derby on Park? I haven't seen any activity there since they did some initial tear out. I'm going to be upset if they've closed my neighborhood breakfast spot and nothing comes of this new establishment. I was under the impression it was supposed to be open at the beginning of the year but nothing has happened. I had high hopes for this place. Maybe they'll get it together one day.
Quote from: comncense on January 18, 2012, 07:36:16 PM
It would be great if Sweet Lady Blue ended up being like Sweet Georgia's Juke Joint in Atlanta. That place has GREAT food. http://www.sweetgeorgiasjukejoint.com/
Their menu looks pretty good. I'll have to try them out next time I'm in Atlanta.
Quote from: tufsu1 on January 16, 2012, 09:39:51 AM
I think the northbank riverwalk is kept up pretty well...and there are partnerships with companies like Haskell, Everbank, DuPont Trust, and Fidelity....that can be clearly seen when looking at the gardens and landscaping at the western end.
I think the trouble with fishing from the river walk between the railroad bridge and Berkman, is the usual filth that ends up on the walkway along any popular fishing zone. Imagine the river walk smelling like dead fish! STINK, abandoned bait buckets, fish guts and scales and stray tackle are actually pretty good reasons to contain this activity at certain points along the downtown riverfront.
We could for example allow it between the Riverside Art Market and somewhere near the FEC bridge. A new stretch from Berkman to Metropolitan park would work just as good. The Southbank is somewhat tougher, access in San Marco, and perhaps the area of the school board (which already has a 'fishy' smell).
I agree with TUFSU on this, the river walks are fairly well maintained, at least on the north bank. Now if we can just keep the 'wipe out the homeless Nazi's,' from taking away the benches, trash cans, bike racks etc... we'd be doing quite well.
As for the walks being boring public spaces... REALLY? Everyone I've ever taken to visit the river walk loves it, the landing not so much, I always hear that the landing and the Skyway smell like urine.
How about we all embrace THE JACKSONVILLE STARS concept. Tinted bronze statues of all of our famous, or infamous people scattered all along the walk would be an immediate hit, and allow us to touch more of our history. Imagine a teacher walking along with his/her 4Th grade class and introducing them to Babe Hardy, Tom Mix, or the boys from Ray Charles to the Allman Brothers. Have lunch with Al Capone the Barker Gang or Machine Gun Kelly. Doc Holiday, or our very own 'butcher shop owner' none other then John Wesley Hardin, from Bob Hayes to Mitchell Alonzo, Baseball GREAT from the Jacksonville Red Caps, WE COULD DO THIS.
The statues cost around $8,000/10,000 each and I bet we could raise the money and volunteers to place them.
Consider this an invitation to the JACKSONVILLE STARS ON FACEBOOK:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/223676907645678/
Not everyone who visits the Riverwalk loves it. I make that statement from actually asking people (local and tourist), and the overwhelming response is they hear Riverwalk and think of something like the San Antonio Riverwalk, and think there will be something to do or see that is worth the trip. Say what you want, there isn't anything. SO IT'S BORING!
QuoteDoes anyone know what's going on at Derby on Park? I haven't seen any activity there since they did some initial tear out. I'm going to be upset if they've closed my neighborhood breakfast spot and nothing comes of this new establishment. I was under the impression it was supposed to be open at the beginning of the year but nothing has happened. I had high hopes for this place. Maybe they'll get it together one day.
They should start the build out any day now. They just pulled the permits right before Christmas. Maybe they are just waiting on the GC or a sub to start the next phase of work. I wouldn't worry about it. I actually just ate at the Southside location last week, and he was excited about opening the new place.
Quote from: Ocklawaha on January 18, 2012, 11:09:00 PM
How about we all embrace THE JACKSONVILLE STARS concept. Tinted bronze statues of all of our famous, or infamous people scattered all along the walk would be an immediate hit, and allow us to touch more of our history. Imagine a teacher walking along with his/her 4Th grade class and introducing them to Babe Hardy, Tom Mix, or the boys from Ray Charles to the Allman Brothers. Have lunch with Al Capone the Barker Gang or Machine Gun Kelly. Doc Holiday, or our very own 'butcher shop owner' none other then John Wesley Hardin, from Bob Hayes to Mitchell Alonzo, Baseball GREAT from the Jacksonville Red Caps, WE COULD DO THIS.
The statues cost around $8,000/10,000 each and I bet we could raise the money and volunteers to place them.
Consider this an invitation to the JACKSONVILLE STARS ON FACEBOOK:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/223676907645678/
Ahem. Add Chief Saturiwa and I'm all about it. Perhaps de Laudonniere and Ribault while we're at it.
How about we all embrace THE JACKSONVILLE STARS concept. Tinted bronze statues of all of our famous, or infamous people scattered all along the walk would be an immediate hit, and allow us to touch more of our history. Imagine a teacher walking along with his/her 4Th grade class and introducing them to Babe Hardy, Tom Mix, or the boys from Ray Charles to the Allman Brothers. Have lunch with Al Capone the Barker Gang or Machine Gun Kelly. Doc Holiday, or our very own 'butcher shop owner' none other then John Wesley Hardin, from Bob Hayes to Mitchell Alonzo, Baseball GREAT from the Jacksonville Red Caps, WE COULD DO THIS.
The statues cost around $8,000/10,000 each and I bet we could raise the money and volunteers to place the
That would be awesome. I'm going to contact the Jacksonville Historical Society, and see if they would be interested in helping. Maybe come up with a list in terms of priorities, because once the first is done, it will make adding others a snap.
MJ'ers, The old rail line that went over Hogans Creek is now half gone. Are you happy about this? Its not like boat traffic is going to be able to go great distances up the creek because of the close proximity to Bay St.
Anyone know what is the plan?
I didn't know that was an old RR bridge. Is it the first one you come to from the river?
Yes.
And I'll stand corected if its not. I'm waiting for Ennis or Ock but I thought that I read on a previous thread that it transported materials. Ennis photographed some old railroad ties next to the river.
Imagine how neat it would have been for that streetcar route to go along the river and over the bridge.
Does anybody have a clue as to what is going on?
I believe fieldafm was looking into this yesterday...it is being done by Public Works
It's being removed as part of a larger project to accomodate upstream flows by widening the creek outlet.
I will have a full report next week. It's amazing how much money it costs me to find out things that are 'publicly available' regarding Hogans Creek.
It never was a railroad bridge. The railroad bridge was demolished in 2003.
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Photography/State-Archives-Downtown-Jax/i-RdwKXgp/0/M/rf00041-M.jpg)
Here is a historic image of the railroad bridge.
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Other/mi/i-zSkgSnH/0/L/railroad-bridge-L.jpg)
Left: 1994 Google Earth aerial - Railroad bridge is just north of recently demolished bridge.
Right: 2004 Google Earth aerial - Railroad bridge has been demolished as a part of Tri Legacy's failed Shipyard's project.