Downtown Construction Update - April 2008
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A look at the progress of various downtown projects under construction during the month of April.
Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/763
What is with our infatuation to put a damn planter in a sidewalk at the expect of sidewalk width.
Also - note to anyone who owns a small business: The 8.5 x 11 sheets of paper all over a storefront window doesn't impress (IMO)
QuoteWhat is with our infatuation to put a damn planter in a sidewalk at the expect of sidewalk width.
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I assume this must have been done to help buffer pedestrian traffic from vehicular traffic.
Here's two other ways this could have been handled at a cheaper cost:
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Cleveland's 4th Street (middle image on right side of graphic) uses bollards to separate pedestrian/vehicular traffic. Trees with sidewalk level grating could be added for greenery.
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In Downtown Raleigh, potted plants are used.
Both of these options accomplish the same thing as planeters without limiting the width of the sidewalks.
I took notice of the planters on Main during the last Art Walk. I stood and watched as the planters caused a choke point effect. Which then had the very safe side effect of people splintering off and having to walk in the street to get around the non moving pedestrian traffic.
This is just yet another instance of great city planning. You know the meeting for these planters went something like this.
City Official #1 "Hey we have some money left."
City Official #2 "Ohh, I know! Let put planters on Main St."
City Official #1 " That is such a good idea. That would make driving through that section of Downtown so much nicer."
Typical Jacksonville. No vision, foresight or master plan for anything but car culture. No idea how to slow traffic down in the urban core Not to mention that the city has no clue or plans to create an Downtown environment that promotes more than just racing through it at 45 mph.
There is a great documentary from WJCT called "City Of Bridges". It's about Jacksonville before and after the bridges being built. It has excellent photography and video of historic Jacksonville. WJCT shows it fairly often and you should see it if you haven't.
My favorite statement in the film is how the city realized after they had built and opened the Main St. bridge that it was a mistake and how it turned out to be the death nail in Downtown. Because it created a highway through the center of town. Jacksonville has never been able to see the big picture. Planning has always consisted of, "let's put there. Don't worry about the cause and effect until after it's build/installed".
Quote from: Bike Jax on April 15, 2008, 01:33:59 PMMy favorite statement in the film is how the city realized after they had built and opened the Main St. bridge that it was a mistake and how it turned out to be the death nail in Downtown. Because it created a highway through the center of town. Jacksonville has never been able to see the big picture. Planning has always consisted of, "let's put there. Don't worry about the cause and effect until after it's build/installed".
It wouldn't carry near the traffic today, even if downtown hadn't lost everything, simply because of I-95.
What is funny is apparently the bridge site was discussed for Liberty St at one point. Whonder what downtown would look like today.
I see that we have a litte bit of "urban connectivity" popping up in some places, finally. Let's have more of that. Good updates! 8)
lets get the shipyards moving agin
You're beating a dead horse. The market can't support the price points of the original Shipyard's plan and Landmar has been canceling projects left and right. Get used to seeing that area stay as a fenced in piece of dirt for a little while. At the best, they'll get the public pier complete in a year or two.
Are they going to do anything with the top of The Peninsula, or just leave it with a small blue light on top? For such a massive building, it, to be quite frank, looks like shit at night, as well as its sister project, The Strand.
Quote from: reednavy on April 27, 2008, 01:21:36 AM
Are they going to do anything with the top of The Peninsula, or just leave it with a small blue light on top? For such a massive building, it, to be quite frank, looks like shit at night, as well as its sister project, The Strand.
"Shit?"
Heights
They're actually putting a 38-story luxury clubhouse of some sort. Thought you might want to know. 8)
I'm curious ::), Are they going to put a rail system on the Main Street streetscape?
Quote from: jeh1980 on April 28, 2008, 04:07:47 PM
They're actually putting a 38-story luxury clubhouse of some sort. Thought you might want to know. 8)
I thought the top was supposed to penthouses?
Probably talkin about the top, top floor. I mean, they could at least light up the top of the tower, give it some character. It looks during daylight hours, but at night, you can't really tell its there.
Quote from: thelakelander on May 02, 2008, 04:37:11 AM
Quote from: jeh1980 on April 28, 2008, 04:07:47 PM
They're actually putting a 38-story luxury clubhouse of some sort. Thought you might want to know. 8)
I thought the top was supposed to penthouses?
Actually, floors 36 and 37 are penthouses.
Has anyone else noticed how nice DuPont lighted top looks when driving across the Fuller Warren Bridge. To bad it's not a few stories taller.
I agree Keith. It is an attractive little building.