Downtown's Southbank Riverwalk Opens
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/3900393053_cLw7xvH-L.jpg)
Sights and scenes from the grand opening of Downtown Jacksonville's new Southbank Riverwalk.
Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2015-feb-downtowns-southbank-riverwalk-opens
Impressed!! It looks awesome. Now I hope they set aside funds to keep it properly maintained. What is that box looking item in that one pic (Page 3, Pic 3)?
Nice pics. I thought someone said the city wasn't going to allow bikes in the other thread. Did Redman get a special dispensation?
I guess they are allowed. Redman was determined to be the first cyclist to ride it.
Quote from: thelakelander on February 26, 2015, 03:42:06 PM
I guess they are allowed. Redman was determined to be the first cyclist to ride it.
+1 Look for new signage. The bike racks are there.
Quite narrow, I do wish it's was like double the width it is now and still attached to the bulkhead. Guess I have to see those colorful pavers in person because the pics don't do them any justice.
I think 99% of the time the width will be sufficient for pedestrians and bikes to use it at same time. During special events I could see it as problem, but if huge crowds, bikes on it probably would not makes sense anyways.
Checked it out this evening on my run. It looks wonderful! Job well done.
It does look very nice and I love those colors
I cant be the ONLY person who remembers the river walk of old ! Harbormasters,Crawdaddys,River Rally,all the little shops,etc ? At least then there was something to do,what is there to do down there now ?
Nice COJ press release.
We have a BARGE! Does Putnam county know about this?
Has this been before Waterways?
Tides are looking good. Plan on doing a RICO loop in some of the most restricted Waterways in the state.
Special shout out to any Past, Present, and future Hooter girls.
Any IBM'rs if you are still in the country.
Any candidate running for office that wants to do an Up for Whatever Bud Light kayak loop.
Any of the LOST + FIND Commissioners
Any DIA Board member with a COJ email address.
Any news media outlet outside of Duval county.
Visit Jacksonville!
Who's next?
Quote from: johncb on February 27, 2015, 03:22:29 AM
I cant be the ONLY person who remembers the river walk of old ! Harbormasters,Crawdaddys,River Rally,all the little shops,etc ? At least then there was something to do,what is there to do down there now ?
That's not the fault of the new Riverwalk. All that stuff has been closed for years.
Probably because people, though they might talk about it with such nostalgia, didn't actually support the businesses.
Quote from: Murder_me_Rachel on February 27, 2015, 08:53:14 AM
Quote from: johncb on February 27, 2015, 03:22:29 AM
I cant be the ONLY person who remembers the river walk of old ! Harbormasters,Crawdaddys,River Rally,all the little shops,etc ? At least then there was something to do,what is there to do down there now ?
Crawdaddy's was THE SHIT. My family used to go there for Sunday brunch all the time-- so great.
Sunday brunch was the bomb.
(https://www.floridamemory.com/fpc/ffl/ffl0585.jpg)
Crawdaddys was falling into the river and had to be torn down. Coney Island Joe's which was a lunch staple for me couldn't afford the rent and for a while had a stand in front of the Dupont Center but then retired up north. During that time period you saw a lot of infill throughout San Marco proper but nothing ever came back to the river. With the condo/apartments over there you think this would be the time for that area to make a come back but of course we will have "healthy town" sooner or later.
QuoteCrawdaddys was falling into the river and had to be torn down
Crawdaddys wasnt falling over, it was made to look that way intentionally. The restaurant closed because of debt management issues (and a host of other financial issues). It was sold to a restaurant holding company from Tampa, which had planned to reopen the restaurant under a different theme and gut the building... but they too had issues. Right before the Super Bowl, the former owner of the neigboring Raddison bought the building and tore it down because they didnt like the rustic aesthetics of the building (that owner ran into financial issues of their own with the site). There were several offers to buy the Crawdaddys site before the recession hit.
It looks great. I just hope the City is committed to maintaining what has been built. I can see in a couple of years, colors fading, lights not working and those shade sails being done away with.
I noticed a few loose pavers near the main street bridge on the steps where the aquarium thing used to be. Also, there's a broken ground light in front of the peninsula... Hopefully these will be resolved and not just left, since "the jobs done"
I just came from a morning stroll and I have a question. Wher is the publis parking for the Southbank Riverwalk?
^There are a few free spaces in the back of the parking lot between MOSH and the Main Street parking lot. Most must not know about them, because I've never seen that lot completely filled....outside of free admission day at MOSH. Then there's on-street parking along most of Riverplace Boulevard. If those two spots fail, there are pay lots next to Friendship Fountain, in front of the Crowne Plaza and next to Charthouse. Furthermore, there's a garage under the Crowne Plaza and another next to Riverplace Tower.
It sure looks nice, but am somewhat concerned with the pavers and the maintnece that will be required for them. Seems perhaps would have been easier maintenance if had used concrete as primary surface. It could have been stained to achieve the various colors and then perhaps used pavers as accents between color changes. I mean it looks fantastic, but with our cities notorious neglect of maintenance it certainly is a concern.
Quote from: CG7 on February 28, 2015, 11:44:59 AM
I just came from a morning stroll and I have a question. Wher is the publis parking for the Southbank Riverwalk?
Waiting to hear back from Jack Shad about the possible free parking spots between the Penninsula and Charthouse. CG7 was the gate taken down at DCPS building?
DCPS Board meeting 3/3/15 at 6 pm. I'd give Dr. Vitti and the school board an A if they make a small hand launch at the NEW Southbank Riverwalk next to the JEA property. Why not?
Less than 12 hours to the RULES agenda meeting of the Jacksonville city council. 2014-665 Uber and Lyft still active legislation. Will there be any media there? Will any city council candidates be there? Tides are looking good. Any media outlet outside of Jacksonville want to see some of the most restricted Waterways in the state of Florida? Seriously.
Quote from: thelakelander on February 28, 2015, 11:54:06 AM
^There are a few free spaces in the back of the parking lot between MOSH and the Main Street parking lot. Most must not know about them, because I've never seen that lot completely filled....outside of free admission day at MOSH. Then there's on-street parking along most of Riverplace Boulevard. If those two spots fail, there are pay lots next to Friendship Fountain, in front of the Crowne Plaza and next to Charthouse. Furthermore, there's a garage under the Crowne Plaza and another next to Riverplace Tower.
What about that lot under the Acosta (west of the boat ramp lot, which I also assumed was public)?
There are a few free spaces in the back of the parking lot between MOSH and the Main Street parking lot. Most must not know about them, because I've never seen that lot completely filled....outside of free admission day at MOSH. Then there's on-street parking along most of Riverplace Boulevard. If those two spots fail, there are pay lots next to Friendship Fountain, in front of the Crowne Plaza and next to Charthouse. Furthermore, there's a garage under the Crowne Plaza and another next to Riverplace Tower.
Luckily I knew where to park, I only asked because when I walked past the Chart House there were a few people parking there and they asked me if it was public parking. They said the sign says for the hotel and Chart House only, so that would mean it is not public parking. When I got to the MOSH where I parked in the very back beside the Alsop (Main Street) bridge, some one asked me if it was ok to park there if they were only going to the Riverwalk The sign says MOSH parking only. The lot under the Acosta bridge west of the RCBC says something to the affect of parking only with a pass only. So it is very confusing to someone not familiar with the area where to park. It is like build it and they won't come because they couldn't find a parking space.
Yes, it would be hard to figure out for someone not familiar with the area. Unless someone has taken it down, if you drive through the MOSH parking lot, there's another sign in the back for the Friendship Fountain spaces.
Quote from: Noone on February 28, 2015, 03:37:22 PM
Quote from: CG7 on February 28, 2015, 11:44:59 AM
I just came from a morning stroll and I have a question. Wher is the publis parking for the Southbank Riverwalk?
Waiting to hear back from Jack Shad about the possible free parking spots between the Penninsula and Charthouse. CG7 was the gate taken down at DCPS building?
Somebody check out the Southbank Riverwalk at the DCPS building and not only the gate but the fence is down too. This is the most open that this Public Access spot has ever been. Dr. Vitti gets an A.
Visit Jacksonville!
^Technically, it's on private property.
Quote from: edjax on February 28, 2015, 03:18:28 PM
It sure looks nice, but am somewhat concerned with the pavers and the maintnece that will be required for them. Seems perhaps would have been easier maintenance if had used concrete as primary surface. It could have been stained to achieve the various colors and then perhaps used pavers as accents between color changes. I mean it looks fantastic, but with our cities notorious neglect of maintenance it certainly is a concern.
The biggest issue with a concrete top surface is the ability to get concrete to the site during construction. As there isn't a reliable access to the project from land for concrete trucks, any concrete that was cast in place had to be ferried from the contractor's lay down area at the ship yards on the north bank. 90% or more of the structure utilized precast concrete for this reason.
The beauty of pavers though is that they can be spot repaired by pulling up broken ones and replacing them with new ones. The pavers are set in a sand bed which allows drainage through joints in the precast deck below.
Thats what someone told us right around when they were closing down, they were having some structural issues etc. We used to go there quite frequently as we worked across the street.
Quote from: fieldafm on February 27, 2015, 09:47:50 AM
QuoteCrawdaddys was falling into the river and had to be torn down
Crawdaddys wasnt falling over, it was made to look that way intentionally. The restaurant closed because of debt management issues (and a host of other financial issues). It was sold to a restaurant holding company from Tampa, which had planned to reopen the restaurant under a different theme and gut the building... but they too had issues. Right before the Super Bowl, the former owner of the neigboring Raddison bought the building and tore it down because they didnt like the rustic aesthetics of the building (that owner ran into financial issues of their own with the site). There were several offers to buy the Crawdaddys site before the recession hit.
Quote from: thelakelander on March 02, 2015, 12:35:33 PM
^Technically, it's on private property.
Does that make it a Public, Private, Partnership property?
Unless they've given you permission to be in that space, it's probably trespassing.
Which space are you talking about? Did you get the pictures I sent.
The space described below:
Quote from: Noone on March 02, 2015, 12:20:30 PM
Somebody check out the Southbank Riverwalk at the DCPS building and not only the gate but the fence is down too. This is the most open that this Public Access spot has ever been. Dr. Vitti gets an A.
Visit Jacksonville!
Can you post the pictures I sent you? Then we can all get an idea of what we are talking about. Thank you.
I'll have to post them tomorrow. Unfortunately, I'm in the middle of something at the moment.
Lake, No problem. Glad you got them. The weather is finally breaking and if your game we can do another Downtown adventure in of the most restricted newly created Waterway zones in the state of Florida. Have an extra hard hat and we can easily do a Vivian Harrell KJB blue bag special and talk about some Environmental Ethics - Vince Seibold
Awesome! I remember when I explored the Southbank riverwalk about four years ago and was thinking how it could use a big upgrade; glad to see it's happened. I took a picture from almost the same spot as one in this photo thread and it gives a good before/after contrast:
(https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6025/5871617438_08331c250c_z.jpg)
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/3900394082_csKXSTz-L.jpg)
Quote from: Noone on March 02, 2015, 12:20:30 PM
Quote from: Noone on February 28, 2015, 03:37:22 PM
Quote from: CG7 on February 28, 2015, 11:44:59 AM
I just came from a morning stroll and I have a question. Wher is the publis parking for the Southbank Riverwalk?
Waiting to hear back from Jack Shad about the possible free parking spots between the Penninsula and Charthouse. CG7 was the gate taken down at DCPS building?
Somebody check out the Southbank Riverwalk at the DCPS building and not only the gate but the fence is down too. This is the most open that this Public Access spot has ever been. Dr. Vitti gets an A.
Visit Jacksonville!
I don't get it. Other than the little 10x10 grassy patch it's the same as it was before the rebuild.
Quote from: krazeeboi on March 03, 2015, 11:06:14 AM
Awesome! I remember when I explored the Southbank riverwalk about four years ago and was thinking how it could use a big upgrade; glad to see it's happened. I took a picture from almost the same spot as one in this photo thread and it gives a good before/after contrast:
(https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6025/5871617438_08331c250c_z.jpg)
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/3900394082_csKXSTz-L.jpg)
Very nice! Thanks for posting this.
^^ Yes very nice, Big Time improvement.
^^agreed!!
Just fix the riverwalk and voila, there's people!! ;)
My wife and I took a walk there on Sat. We were truly impressed. Tons of people walking around and sitting in the park.
Living on the Southbank, I am super happy that the Riverwalk is finally back open, especially since it closed about a week after I moved here. One thing that I am a bit surprised by is the galvanized steel railings. If you look at them, they are already starting to oxidize and also there are grinder marks all over them and some places have some sort of gray primer painted on them. They just look very unfinished, not sure why they didn't powder coat them. Surprised that Haskell would deliver that as a finished prooduct.
Does anyone have an opinion about the potential SUP, Wind surfer, kayak hand launch next to the 2014-190 Southbank Riverwalk at the DCPS building.
I went for a quick walk on my lunch break today. Pictures dont do it justice. It was very wide, and its extremely nice. I am actually very impressed. Given Jax's rep of not doing things right, this was definately worth the money spent.
Quote from: Noone on March 01, 2015, 09:42:56 PM
DCPS Board meeting 3/3/15 at 6 pm. I'd give Dr. Vitti and the school board an A if they make a small hand launch at the NEW Southbank Riverwalk next to the JEA property. Why not?
Less than 12 hours to the RULES agenda meeting of the Jacksonville city council. 2014-665 Uber and Lyft still active legislation. Will there be any media there? Will any city council candidates be there? Tides are looking good. Any media outlet outside of Jacksonville want to see some of the most restricted Waterways in the state of Florida? Seriously.
We have a BARGE! Does Putnam county know about this? MOU Joke.
2014-412 - We kicked out the Baltimore guys. Losers!
Now be transported from one illegal side of the St. Johns River to the other illegal side of the river.
2014-190- Check out the potential Public Access that exists right now between the JEA property and DCPS building before it is legislatively LOST.
Where is the media on this? Jack Shad the parking guy still waiting for that email back on the free parking update between the Penninsula and Charthouse.
So at the 3/6/15 Special meeting of the DIA ( Downtown Is Adrift) it was announced that a new proposal for Shipyards could be for Luxury Yachts. That is Super! Super Duper!
Visit Jacksonville!
Quote from: CG7 on February 28, 2015, 11:44:59 AM
I just came from a morning stroll and I have a question. Wher is the publis parking for the Southbank Riverwalk?
That is the $17,000,000 question.
Not only Public Parking but is there even ONE ADA handicapped Parking spot associated with this project?
Right now the answer is NO!
Had an opportunity to ask Don Redman Dist.4 and his aide now city council elect District 4 city councilman Scott Wilson at the 6/2/15 RCDPHS committee meeting after they denied Public comment on 2015-360 if they have followed up on this National embarrassment of not having ONE ADA handicapped parking spot. With smiles on their faces they remind me that after July 1. The Southbank Riverwalk is no longer in Dist. 4 because of redistricting and so the problem goes away.
Visit Jacksonville!
Quote from: Noone on June 06, 2015, 05:36:07 AM
Quote from: CG7 on February 28, 2015, 11:44:59 AM
I just came from a morning stroll and I have a question. Wher is the publis parking for the Southbank Riverwalk?
That is the $17,000,000 question.
Not only Public Parking but is there even ONE ADA handicapped Parking spot associated with this project?
Right now the answer is NO!
Had an opportunity to ask Don Redman Dist.4 and his aide now city council elect District 4 city councilman Scott Wilson at the 6/2/15 RCDPHS committee meeting after they denied Public comment on 2015-360 if they have followed up on this National embarrassment of not having ONE ADA handicapped parking spot. With smiles on their faces they remind me that after July 1. The Southbank Riverwalk is no longer in Dist. 4 because of redistricting and so the problem goes away.
Visit Jacksonville!
I believe there are two ADA handicap spots in the lot next to the museum. The two are away from the other spots and all the way down next to where the old steps led up to the Main Street bridge sidewalk. At least they were there a couple of months ago when I took my mom down there.
Yes, saw those 2 spots when I went to the dedication of the Riverwalk mural a few days ago.
Quote from: edjax on June 06, 2015, 08:21:39 PM
Quote from: Noone on June 06, 2015, 05:36:07 AM
Quote from: CG7 on February 28, 2015, 11:44:59 AM
I just came from a morning stroll and I have a question. Wher is the publis parking for the Southbank Riverwalk?
That is the $17,000,000 question.
Not only Public Parking but is there even ONE ADA handicapped Parking spot associated with this project?
Right now the answer is NO!
Had an opportunity to ask Don Redman Dist.4 and his aide now city council elect District 4 city councilman Scott Wilson at the 6/2/15 RCDPHS committee meeting after they denied Public comment on 2015-360 if they have followed up on this National embarrassment of not having ONE ADA handicapped parking spot. With smiles on their faces they remind me that after July 1. The Southbank Riverwalk is no longer in Dist. 4 because of redistricting and so the problem goes away.
Visit Jacksonville!
I believe there are two ADA handicap spots in the lot next to the museum. The two are away from the other spots and all the way down next to where the old steps led up to the Main Street bridge sidewalk. At least they were there a couple of months ago when I took my mom down there.
Public, Private, Partnership?
School Board meeting tonight.
An ADA dedicated handicapped parking spot at a Waterfront Public Access street end at the end of 2014-190. Why not?
Visit Jacksonville!
Now the the Southbank Riverwalk has been open for 5 months, it is great to see all the people using it on a regular basis. For leisure, exercise or getting form one place to another, the Riverwalk has been a great addition to our lifestyle.
However, the recent use of the East End as a Shrimpers' paradise is disturbing. I'm wondering why the city allows this. In the past week, the area near the Duval County School building is being used for Shrimping, and the people using it feel that because it is a public space, they have no responsibility to clean up after themselves. Dead shrimp and river dirt litter the bricks causing a sticky smelly mess which the flies and other insects just love. It is very unpleasant to walk in this area.
Why is shrimping and fishing allowed on the Southbank Riverwalk? Are we just going to have to put up with it, or is there anything that can be done to keep the Riverwalk safe and comfortable for all?
Quote from: HeyNancJax on July 17, 2015, 01:43:56 PM
Now the the Southbank Riverwalk has been open for 5 months, it is great to see all the people using it on a regular basis. For leisure, exercise or getting form one place to another, the Riverwalk has been a great addition to our lifestyle.
However, the recent use of the East End as a Shrimpers' paradise is disturbing. I'm wondering why the city allows this. In the past week, the area near the Duval County School building is being used for Shrimping, and the people using it feel that because it is a public space, they have no responsibility to clean up after themselves. Dead shrimp and river dirt litter the bricks causing a sticky smelly mess which the flies and other insects just love. It is very unpleasant to walk in this area.
Why is shrimping and fishing allowed on the Southbank Riverwalk? Are we just going to have to put up with it, or is there anything that can be done to keep the Riverwalk safe and comfortable for all?
Call 630-CITY to file a blight complaint. It should be the first thing they ask you before even presenting you with the rest of the options on the line.
Seriously, if any city request can be tailored to somehow involve "blight" nowadays, it will be treated like an absolute emergency.
Another option would be to report it to one of the local news stations since they gobble that kind of thing up.
Quote from: Josh on July 17, 2015, 03:06:05 PM
Call 630-CITY to file a blight complaint. It should be the first thing they ask you before even presenting you with the rest of the options on the line.
Seriously, if any city request can be tailored to somehow involve "blight" nowadays, it will be treated like an absolute emergency.
Another option would be to report it to one of the local news stations since they gobble that kind of thing up.
Even better...if you can put some love locks on top of the trash it will all be gone by sunrise.