Everyone knows how disconnected the area around the Sports complex is. Sprawling concrete expressways and massive open parking lots. Despite this area once being a booming part of Jacksonville, it has now become more of an eyesore then anything. So with that said I bring you a conceptual look into a more pedestrian friendly and greener Fairfield/Sports complex.
1. Improved Sports Complex
(http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad214/mattius92/My%20Designs/Stadium_zps733c15d0.jpg)
Yellow = Parking Garages
Green = Greenspace
Blue = Retail Space/Skyway Station
Orange = E. Adams Street Pedway
Red = Skyway Extension
One of the key highlights to this plan is the addition to parking facilities. With the mid parking garage having ground level retail and a Sports Complex Skyway station. In addition E. Adams street would be closed to vehicle traffic and turned into a key pedway between Everbank Field and the rest of the sports venues.
2. New Cruise Terminal
(http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad214/mattius92/My%20Designs/CruiseTerminal_zpsd9f6f3c5.jpg)
Yellow = Parking Garage
Another addition to the Fairfield area is converting the old Ford Assembly plant into a Cruise Terminal. This facility will preserve a Jacksonville landmark and also help bring more people into the area.
3: Project Overview
(http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad214/mattius92/My%20Designs/Midtownoverview_zps7cf720e2.jpg)
Orange = Gator Bowl Blvd/Commodore Point Parkway
First off tearing down that eyesore of the Commodore Point Expressway, a greatly underused sprawl of concrete the could be replaced with an improved Gator Bowl Blvd. Also destroying the MLK Expressway connector between the Hart Bridge and the Mathews Bridge and turning that space into development and/or greenspace.
Reworking the MLK expressway and Mathews Expressway interchange to be more friendly to the surrounding area. This would also help reduce the barrier between the Sports complex and the Cruise Terminal.
Lastly redeveloping Commodore point into a key riverfront area of development. If we can bring residential towers and mixed retail/office to this area, we could see this once vibrant area gain new life. Also the area could be a potential spot for a new riverfront convention center. This key area has the space and riverfront views to really boom into a vibrant and cultural part of Jacksonville.
Thank You
I could see the benefits of redeveloping this area. However, I don't see the point of building a few (massive, $$$) parking decks and turning the rest into greenspace. I think the skyway extension is a good idea.
Also, the idea of moving the cruise terminal for the Ford plant doesn't make much sense. Yes it would put a grat historic structure to reuse, but the biggest issue with the crusie industry is the Dames Point Brigde. This plan wouldn't solve that. Also, the plant's proximity to the Matthew's bridge (right under it) could pose a problem with mooring cruise ships.
We'd be better off if we never saw another parking only structure ever built in this city again. However, there's some validity in eventually allowing mixed-use infill in the Sports District. How long that takes, when we still can't figure out what to do with the Shipyards and JEA property? Who knows?
One question though. Commodore's Point is home to at least 800 high paying industrial jobs, including a decent sized shipyard. Where do you propose to relocate this industry?
Quote from: thelakelander on May 02, 2013, 02:37:09 PM
We'd be better off if we never saw another parking only structure ever built in this city again. However, there's some validity in eventually allowing mixed-use infill in the Sports District. How long that takes, when we still can't figure out what to do with the Shipyards and JEA property? Who knows?
Exactly
Tear down this, tear down that, tear down this, tear down that.... Might as well propose building a hotel on the grounds of Area 51; You'll get the same results encroaching on DOT property.
Quote from: thelakelander on May 02, 2013, 02:37:09 PM
One question though. Commodore's Point is home to at least 800 high paying industrial jobs, including a decent sized shipyard. Where do you propose to relocate this industry?
I do not forsee any major development on Commodore point for a while, however if the event ever occurs that we would need to move industry. There is the Tallyrand area that still appears to have areas to relocate some industry.
Quote from: acme54321 on May 02, 2013, 02:06:28 PM
I could see the benefits of redeveloping this area. However, I don't see the point of building a few (massive, $$$) parking decks and turning the rest into greenspace. I think the skyway extension is a good idea.
Also, the idea of moving the cruise terminal for the Ford plant doesn't make much sense. Yes it would put a grat historic structure to reuse, but the biggest issue with the crusie industry is the Dames Point Brigde. This plan wouldn't solve that. Also, the plant's proximity to the Matthew's bridge (right under it) could pose a problem with mooring cruise ships.
1. It doesn't exactly have to be all greenspace, mixed use development would be just as useful.
2. Yes the Dames point bridge does pose a barrier for huge modern cruise ships. However there are still many cruise lines with smaller ships that could be served by a downtown based cruise terminal. The Mathews bridge could potentially be an issue but with a good tug boat I think it can be avoided.
Quote from: Mattius92 on May 02, 2013, 05:31:30 PM
Quote from: thelakelander on May 02, 2013, 02:37:09 PM
One question though. Commodore's Point is home to at least 800 high paying industrial jobs, including a decent sized shipyard. Where do you propose to relocate this industry?
I do not forsee any major development on Commodore point for a while, however if the event ever occurs that we would need to move industry. There is the Tallyrand area that still appears to have areas to relocate some industry.Quote from: acme54321 on May 02, 2013, 02:06:28 PM
I could see the benefits of redeveloping this area. However, I don't see the point of building a few (massive, $$$) parking decks and turning the rest into greenspace. I think the skyway extension is a good idea.
Also, the idea of moving the cruise terminal for the Ford plant doesn't make much sense. Yes it would put a grat historic structure to reuse, but the biggest issue with the crusie industry is the Dames Point Brigde. This plan wouldn't solve that. Also, the plant's proximity to the Matthew's bridge (right under it) could pose a problem with mooring cruise ships.
1. It doesn't exactly have to be all greenspace, mixed use development would be just as useful.
2. Yes the Dames point bridge does pose a barrier for huge modern cruise ships. However there are still many cruise lines with smaller ships that could be served by a downtown based cruise terminal. The Mathews bridge could potentially be an issue but with a good tug boat I think it can be avoided.
I'm pretty sure JaxPort doesn't own much of any undeveloped land in Talleyrand... So you'd be using eminent domain to take out private land and subsequently acquire private land upriver also through eminent domain to relocate these private businesses. Then be on the hook for whatever environmental issues you've now inherited with the Commodore Point land.
Additionally, there isn't a huge market for smaller based cruise lines and they certainly don't call on port frequently enough to make this profitable.
I like the rational behind some of your thinking, but you also have to be practical in your application. Keep refining your thought process, but do so in a way that understands how one action affects a dozen others.
I think you should forget Commodore Point and start thinking more about potential mixed use in the sports district... Especially along A Philip Randolph.
Even now, I can get over zealous and have to remind myself that for every action there are multiple reactions you have to account for. Your spunk is still pretty courageous kid, keep that fire in your belly.
Speaking of Commodore Point, after a century of heavy industry, there's no telling what's in the ground there. As long as heavy industry can churn a profit from that location, let them have at it.
QuoteEspecially along A Philip Randolph.
Great suggestion. Lots of overlooked potential along this Eastside strip.
Yeah that is true, I was just over there last weekend for Rockville and I do say, that strip is nice but could really use some nice work and infill. Throw in some restaurants and shops and you could see another nice place to hit up from time to time.
If anything I do think converting E. Adams to a pedway with bordering mixed use space could help bring more vigor to the an otherwise dead area, well besides gameday, that is. :)