Downtown Frankenstein: 1971 Downtown Master Plan
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/downtown_frankenstein/downtownfrankensteinformetr.jpg)
MetroJacksonville uncovers a futuristic plan would bring a smile to the faces of George Jetson, Buck Rogers, Dr. Spock and Chewbacca.
Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/230
That was one helluva plan! Imagine if this thing would have seen completion. I can see why the city leaders at the time were all gaga over this thing. I too would have probably fell for it.
The biggest thing I noticed was the structures that were still around and the absence of surface lots.
Had the plan went off as it was shown, it might not have been that bad but with all the factors going against it, it was doomed to fail from the beginning.
Of ocurse waiting until 1978 to even make the first change didn't help. 7 years from plan to action is just asking for failure.
The reworking of Hemming Park was not related to the 71 plan. It came about because a small group felt there was a need for a new design and at the same time, CETA funds became available to put some people to work. The reworking of Hemming Park was out of concern that the existing enviroment in the park was not good, the public restrooms were disgusting and not maintained and needed to be removed. Many people felt that the park as it was then was a very dangerous place to be at night and a deterrent to attracting people back to town.
The configuration was altered, but the 1971 plan was the earliest planning document we could find that suggested converting the park into a concrete plaza.
I heard that this 1971 Downtown Master Plan was amazing. But I don't see any photos. Is there any way to load these photos back in so I can see what the buzz was about?
Now I see the photos. Its a really good plan. I'm sorry to see that most of that wasn't successful. Now that more and more people are living in downtown now, I think that this plan should be resurfaced. I think they should move the proposed large retail mall along Main St. and add a couple of high rise hotel/condo towers on tall if they can.
now there are thousands of places to park, but nothing left to park in front of.
You all may not believe this, I as far as I see it, just about 80% of the 1971 master plan was already been accomplished. Along with the Modis Tower ( Independent Square), BB&T, the street lamps, FCCJ, Police Memorial Building and all the others we still see in dowtown, There were a lot others that we may not notice that is already been built. That proposed shopping center which they call "The Spine", that's been done. It actually turn out to be The Landing! Although the location, the look, and the height was different. The proposed convention hotel, that's been done in the form of the Omni Hotel. The Sears parking garage, that's been done...however, Sears didn't hang around long to see it come to pass. I personally would like to see Sears come back to town in the future now that we have residents living in downtown. That proposed "Block 12" parking garage was also built, though it was built on the edge of the river ( now apart of Hyatt).And the covered walkway system still exist today @ First Baptist Church. At least we know now that despite the lack of department stores (until the very near future), there were no empty promises. :D
That Museum and Culture facility on the waterfront might have been superior to what we got with the Landing. Imagine, a real MUSEUM in downtown today? Man! We could house pieces of brick, tile and asphalt from throughout the CBD and post pictures of the buildings we once had. We could even have a hands on display where citizens could try and match the broken tiles with the correct building photo. Ummm Fun!
All they needed to really make this development happen was a Skyway and a BRT freeway system. The whole thing could have been called a TOD by JTA and we would get unlimited operating grants from Washington. Never mind that everyone moved away, at least we would have the transportation innovations that squeeze the waste out of distribution. At least Walt Disney named part of his park after Jacksonville... Fantasyland.
Now, where did I leave that bottle of Rebel Yell?
Ocklawaha
Despite some of the things that may not have worked during the 1971 Master Plan, most of it did work to our advantage if you were to look @ it differentely. Despite of the negative sides, I still think that the Master Plan was the best thing that ever happened to downtown. At least 80% of the plan was completed. And most of all, we have more high rises ;) :D. Not bad 8).
Too bad the Convention Center wasn't moved opposite the Times Union Center as suggested in the plan. That would have solved 2 major issues we're discussing today: the Convention Center and Transportation Center would both be where they should be....
If the convention center was not opened in Union Terminal it probably would have been torn down. So in that respect we are probably lucky it was opened there.
Heh, that is probably true.
You're kidding. What were the plans for the property, do you know?
I had read that there were supposed to be a movie theater somewhere in the plan. Well, we'll be happy to know that Bay Street Station will make up for that! :D
I wonder if one day we can dig up more on the history of the Modis Tower(Independent Square) and post some historic photos about that. It would sure be a lot of fun 8).
Quote from: jeh1980 on June 05, 2008, 03:18:49 AM
I wonder if one day we can dig up more on the history of the Modis Tower(Independent Square) and post some historic photos about that. It would sure be a lot of fun 8).
I don't think that the Southern Bell/BellSouth Tower (now AT&T Tower) was anywhere in that Master Plan. But it's a good thing that it was built anyway! By the way, do any of you have those historic photos on the Independent Square (Modis Tower) yet? 8)
It's funny that the plan never included anythink concerning our sports complex. I imagine, if they were to have such a plan, an arena would have look like that arena in Cincinnati (or Detroit), or the old Omni in Atlanta. Oh, well. Thank the Lord for the Better Jacksonville Plan which gave us an 18,000 seat arena. I don't know if the Gator Bowl have anything to do with the Master Plan. But if it did, I'd be very surprised :o. Lakelander, I wonder if there were any more historic plans we never knew about that might be already completed or not?
I had this thought. Can some of our city's new projects make up for what it been lost in that old Master Plan?
I thought that the 1971 downtown master plan had every good intention to make downtown Jacksonville a great place to be. It may not exactly look like "World's Fair" material with the renderings. I want to see a 3-D image of what would have been of the master plan would have fully completed :D.
Why doesn't anybody respond to my post yet? I know that the Master Plan had all the good intentions despite the current results, even though most of it with finished.
Quote from: jeh1980 on June 05, 2008, 03:18:49 AM
I wonder if one day we can dig up more on the history of the Modis Tower(Independent Square) and post some historic photos about that. It would sure be a lot of fun 8).
Sounds like an interesting story. I'll add this one to the list of future front page articles to run.
jeh1980, here are a few historic photographs of the block were MODIS now stands.
This was the SE corner of Laura and Bay Streets in 1950.
(http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/spottswood/sp02002.jpg)
The Independent Life Building and current Landing site in 1981.
(http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/commerce/c820142.jpg)
Wow! I can't wait to see more of them. Keep 'em coming and keep the faith! :D 8)
'81 was a great year... :)
I was born a year before they shot that photo.