Dog Without A Bone – JTA’S Great Greyhound Deception
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1619759754_JJXgT4z-L.jpg)
In this editorial, Metro Jacksonville's Bob Mann explains why JTA's proposed Greyhound station should be reconsidered and why Jacksonville may be a code word for Screw the Pooch.
Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2014-mar-dog-without-a-bone-jtas-great-greyhound-deception
Speaking of relocating the convention center. Here's an update in today's Biz Journal:
http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2014/03/18/economic-impact-of-tourism-leads-to-convention.html
Isn't the convention center business dying, or at least in decline for the last decade?
Good points Ock, looking at the floorplans for the current Greyhound station, it would actually make a great homeless center! Wouldn't that be ironic.
Also, I thought Greyhound was already locked into this spot? And the walking distance isn't too big of a deal to me, I mean how many people out of those 200 would actually be going to Greyhound? Of course, in my opinion this will never be built anyway. Eventually housing will rise and a developer will sweet talk the land away and then, finally, LaVilla will become a community again. Maybe like Brooklyn did, just in 2025.
Also can someone please mention the architecture of this building is horrendous! Just saw a TED talk last night talking about better architecture happening in America but apparently Jacksonville has missed the bus on that one ;) (sorry couldnt help myself)
I would be good if Greyhound could be moved 1/2 block south (between Forsyth and Houston), which will put it basically next to the Skyway parking lot. JTA and FDOT are moving forward with a plan to develop a new local bus station (think Rosa Parks). If that happens, there will basically be a seamless connection between Greyhound, JTA bus, and JTA Skyway.
^That would make more sense. If I were them, I probably wouldn't worry about adding a parking garage in the JRTC plans until there's some real TOD that makes it worthwhile. Between the convention center and JTA's lots between Forsyth and Houston, there's more than enough underutilized spaces to take advantage of first.
Quote from: jaxlore on March 19, 2014, 09:54:39 AM
Also can someone please mention the architecture of this building is horrendous! Just saw a TED talk last night talking about better architecture happening in America but apparently Jacksonville has missed the bus on that one ;) (sorry couldnt help myself)
Yes, the architecture comes off as cheap and horrendous. Not exactly what a community should want for something that will essentially become a gateway to the city for the people who utilize it. Btw, the existing Greyhound station has a lot more character and a superior location, with the Skyway literally across the street. Why are we moving it again? I know its too late, but would we not be better off, renovating it and the sidewalk areas surrounding it?
(http://img.groundspeak.com/waymarking/log/large/dcc85a6b-9891-45b0-b5ce-922680e563e6.JPG)
http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM54BV_Greyhound_Bus_Station_Jacksonville_Florida
Seriously, when you think about it, the station has been there since 1956 (58 years). Fix it up and it can be everything that modern facilities in other communities are today. Is the root of this more about some classes of people being afraid of their neighbors and economic classes that can't afford to fly out of JIA?
Quote from: JayBird on March 19, 2014, 09:46:22 AM
Isn't the convention center business dying, or at least in decline for the last decade?
Good points Ock, looking at the floorplans for the current Greyhound station, it would actually make a great homeless center! Wouldn't that be ironic.
Also, I thought Greyhound was already locked into this spot? And the walking distance isn't too big of a deal to me, I mean how many people out of those 200 would actually be going to Greyhound? Of course, in my opinion this will never be built anyway. Eventually housing will rise and a developer will sweet talk the land away and then, finally, LaVilla will become a community again. Maybe like Brooklyn did, just in 2025.
Density has a larger impact on foot traffic. For example, fix up Greyhound at its current location and places like 7-11 and Pita Pit will be better off. Remove the only 24/7 destination in the vicinity and you risk creating another section of the core where most businesses don't open outside of M-F daytime office hours.
Anyway, as far as the JRTC (or any transit center) goes, the closer the modes are together, the better chance of keeping supporting retail spaces open. You'd also cut down on the amount of money it would take to construct all these terminals. Going compact, you'd create opportunities for shared waiting rooms, ticketing areas, restrooms, etc.
Quote from: thelakelander on March 19, 2014, 12:14:11 PM
Yes, the architecture comes off as cheap and horrendous. Not exactly what a community should want for something that will essentially become a gateway to the city for the people who utilize it. Btw, the existing Greyhound station has a lot more character and a superior location, with the Skyway literally across the street. Why are we moving it again? I know its too late, but would we not be better off, renovating it and the sidewalk areas surrounding it?
because the folks at Everbank want it moved
As an avid Amtrak traveler, I am most impressed by the amenities that a train station can offer its passengers. It would be nice to be able to grab a quick meal at the train station like I can in New York, Washington or Boston. I feel great disappointment whenever I go to train stations in other cities and then return to what we have on Clifford Lane.
Quote from: tufsu1 on March 19, 2014, 02:21:51 PM
Quote from: thelakelander on March 19, 2014, 12:14:11 PM
Yes, the architecture comes off as cheap and horrendous. Not exactly what a community should want for something that will essentially become a gateway to the city for the people who utilize it. Btw, the existing Greyhound station has a lot more character and a superior location, with the Skyway literally across the street. Why are we moving it again? I know its too late, but would we not be better off, renovating it and the sidewalk areas surrounding it?
because the folks at Everbank want it moved
Can you back this statement up? I have never heard this come up from anyone at EverBank.
Everbank has expressed interest in the property from the get go...some think its because of the clientele the bus station draws to the area...other surmise they want to build a parking structure (Everbank Center doesn't have one)
Really? Another parking structure downtown?
^ well you know Kay, parking downtown is just soooo hard ;)
There's still space in the garage they park in, that's across the street from the bus station. I park in the same garage, so I see all the empty spaces daily.
So they just want to get rid of it I guess? Why is this city so obsessed with parking??
Quote from: Keith-N-Jax on March 20, 2014, 09:57:55 AM
So they just want to get rid of it I guess? Why is this city so obsessed with parking??
I think a lot of the "there's no parking downtown" beliefs is just fear of the unfamiliar. Might help if there was more clear and easily accessible info available on where to park specific to popular destinations, time of day and weekday/weekend.
I had to pick up a friend at the Greyhound depot last night and being my first walk through it I wanted to do a visual compare with the planned bus depot by JTA.
Personally I can see why Greyhound might be reluctant to move.
While general ingress/egress in the passenger lobby is dated and constrained (mostly around handicap access), the bus arrival and departure zone is much more functional from what I can tell against the new depot.
Current depot needs a better cab waiting zone that is off traffic (right now they simply took away several parking spots) and possibly a passenger drop off/pick up zone that has a cover for inclement weather.
Having a single terminal that covers Amtrak, AAF, Greyhound, Megabus, JTA buses, BRT, Skyway is much preferred.
Go back to the drawing board.
Quote from: Kay on March 19, 2014, 10:34:21 PM
Really? Another parking structure downtown?
Actually it is the property managers of the building (EverBank Center) that is promising to build garage there to entice tenants to move into the building. I don't know how serious they are about actually doing it or if it is just a carrot on a stick. If they do carry thru with the garage, there is no reason you can't design it around the footprint of the existing building and using it as ground floor retail. Could make for a great design and preservation project in one.
True, considering most of that block is currently a parking apron. However, the skeptical guy in me says, we'd be looking at the same type of crap Parador is putting up next to the Suntrust Tower.
Being that El-Ad is selling EverBank Center, any past plans they talked about I'm sure have been shelved. Unfortunately that includes a plan to light the buildings downtown, which El-Ad was a strong supporter of.
Before moving to 301 West Bay from Southpoint, EverBank held numerous workshops on what to expect when working downtown. Credit deserved for helping those who've never ventured outside of the suburbs, much less the state, but it backfired to a large degree. Many people still say, "If you park in this garage (one of 5-6 EB has agreements with), stay away from the bus station."
Some are still freaked out at the thought of crossing the street to go to 7-Eleven, much less walking to BG for lunch.