QuoteBy Max Marbut, Staff Writer
Imagine a neighborhood where you could live, work, shop, participate in the arts and worship — all within walking distance of your front door.
That's the vision for The Cathedral District, based on a strategic plan developed by the Urban Land Institute North Florida District Council.
It's also the vision that's been held by the Very Rev. Kate Moorehead since she became dean of St. John's Cathedral nearly seven years ago.
"ULI gave us the path we can walk on. It's exactly what we need," she said.
A two-day analysis was performed Jan. 12-13 by a seven-member ULI Technical Assistance Panel of professionals in architecture, land-use planning, law and marketing.
The area defined as The Cathedral District is bordered on the north by State Street, on the east by Hogan's Creek, on the south by Adams Street and on the west by Main Street.
At its center, on what was known more than a century ago as Billy Goat Hill, is St. John's Cathedral.
Full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=547267
Looks like there's movement - maybe.
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=549906
I planned to run a brief Modern Cities article about this three weeks ago. I ended up deciding not to do it because the demolition request was pulled from the agenda. Other than what the Daily Record article mentions, the development would add over 100 residential units to the neighborhood and consist of mix of market-rate housing integrated with indistinguishable affordable units. It would also be built up to the street edge.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Cities/Jacksonville/Development/325-East-Duval-Street-YWCA-Building/i-bhp8Gjh/0/57a5ce7d/L/The-Book-April-26,-2017_Page_1250-L.jpg)
It would be a bummer to lose the YWCA. But there's nothing else on that block to save (just a suburban outbuilding, some parking, and a fenced-off playground). It's one of the few lots up there that's like that. This may be the best spot for development.
It's a cool building. On the other hand, that block is pretty horrible and infill would be a major benefit to the Cathedral district.
What remains in that area around the police evidence building should be knocked down. It is no longer a neighborhood and has absolutely no connectivity with anything in downtown at all. It would be great to see the Cathedral District extend into that area with some cool new buildings.
Tear it down already. It's not that impressive a building - brick and block-style. And it's got a suburban setback and parking lot and just looks disjointed. How are we going to get comprehensive transformation if battles like this stand in the way of more residents and more walkable designs...the lifeblood of a vibrant downtown.
It should only be knocked down IF everything is in line and proven to be in line for them to actually build this project. I do not want to see another demolished building that leaves behind a parking lot.
Quote from: jaxnyc79 on May 24, 2017, 03:14:52 PM
Tear it down already. It's not that impressive a building - brick and block-style. And it's got a suburban setback and parking lot and just looks disjointed. How are we going to get comprehensive transformation if battles like this stand in the way of more residents and more walkable designs...the lifeblood of a vibrant downtown.
Not that I disagree on the whole, but the building is in great shape, and does not have a suburban setback.
Quote from: FlaBoy on May 24, 2017, 04:36:52 PM
It should only be knocked down IF everything is in line and proven to be in line for them to actually build this project. I do not want to see another demolished building that leaves behind a parking lot.
Agree entirely.
Per the Daily Record, only the flat-roofed portion of the building will be torn down.
The remaining L-shaped piece will remain intact.
(http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/storyimages/1495722027roof2.jpg)
The Historic Preservation Commission signed off on the project yesterday.
Read about it here:
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=549920 (http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=549920)
Great job to find that common ground. Is it the whole block they will be doing over to Liberty and back to Church? I hope so because that will really look good next to the Park at the Cathedral Townhouses there.
^ that is the concept plan
Quote from: KenFSU on May 25, 2017, 12:30:59 PM
Per the Daily Record, only the flat-roofed portion of the building will be torn down.
The remaining L-shaped piece will remain intact.
(http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/storyimages/1495722027roof2.jpg)
The Historic Preservation Commission signed off on the project yesterday.
Read about it here:
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=549920 (http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=549920)
Ohhh missed that. So much the better, bring it on!
Good news. SOMETHING more going on in big Jax.