https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2018/03/28/after-delays-emerald-necklace-groundwork-jax-ceo.html (https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2018/03/28/after-delays-emerald-necklace-groundwork-jax-ceo.html)
This looks more promising than any of the previous COJ initiatives I've heard talk of on previous forum posts here. I know the Fuller Warren shared use path will be a sweet addition to the city, but a completely bikeable/walkable corridor throughout would be an awesome sight to see.
The same people that did the Atlanta Beltline makes it at least have some legitimacy. Whether they can get anyone in city hall to actually kick in the money will be interesting, but this group has credibility.
Quote from: jax_hwy_engineer on March 28, 2018, 04:37:29 PM
This looks more promising than any of the previous COJ initiatives I've heard talk of on previous forum posts here. I know the Fuller Warren shared use path will be a sweet addition to the city, but a completely bikeable/walkable corridor throughout would be an awesome sight to see.
I can't read the article because it's behind a paywall but what's changed? The Emerald Necklace concept has been around for at least 20 years or so now. Here's a quote in a 2006 Metro Jacksonville article about the Peyton Administration:
QuoteNo one is criticizing the concept of expanding our city parks. However, why don't we focus on better maintenance of current parks, or development of parks in conjunction with the current Downtown Master Plan? One such example is the Hogan & McCoy's Creek greenway, an eight mile long waterfront park referred to in the Downtown Master Plan as "The Emerald Necklace". Why don't we enhance the parks we already own before we create more?
https://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2006-apr-the-peyton-administration
I signed up for the free JBJ account a few months ago. Some articles, they make you pay for; some not. This one was a free one.
This is the text of the article. If this violates some copyright law, please feel free to delete this post.
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QuoteBy Allison Colburn – Reporter - Real Estate & Economic Development, Jacksonville Business Journal
9 hours ago
The idea to build a ring of trails connecting the neighborhoods around downtown Jacksonville is about a century old, but past ambitions to build Emerald Necklace have never quite come to fruition.
In 2014, the nonprofit Groundwork Jacksonville formed with the intention of finally seeing the project through to the end. And even though the organization has done plenty of park restoration work since then, Jacksonville has not seen much in the way of a concrete action to create the pedestrian paradise.
But with a new development partner and an $88,200 master plan on the way, Groundwork Jacksonville CEO Kay Ehas wants skeptics to have some optimism.
"What people are frustrated by is that Jacksonville is always planning and never implementing," Ehas said. "I get that, but unless you have a plan, you're not going to do anything."
Groundwork has brought on Atlanta-Based PATH Foundation to design and develop an ambitious Emerald Necklace plan over the next six months. The goal is to connect 14 neighborhoods to the S-Line, Hogans Creek, McCoys Creek and northbank and southbank riverwalks.
Full article: https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2018/03/28/after-delays-emerald-necklace-groundwork-jax-ceo.html
Here's a summary. Definitely don't want to cut and paste the entire thing since that takes readers away from them:
- The Emerald Necklace concept is roughly a century old
- In 2014, the nonprofit Groundwork Jacksonville formed with the intention of finally seeing the project through
- Groundwork Jacksonville has brought on Atlanta-Based PATH Foundation to design a plan over the next six months
- PATH's experience includes building the Atlanta BeltLine and the Island System Trail in St. Simon's Island.
- City would have to fund actual initial implementation at a cost of roughly $2 million/mile and creek restoration at $1.2 million/mile
- Community support from 14 adjacent neighborhoods is needed
- A steering committee will be formed to help plan over the next several months
I thought we already had the master plan for this years ago??
The big thing is JTC (Jacksonville Track Club) has kicked in $50k to help fund this master plan. JTC understands that this aligns with their mission and the successful completion of the system will be a huge benefit to their members, so they ponied up some cash. Not rocket science, but not common for this city.
Not mentioned is Curry's budget has over a million already earmarked for the McCoys Creek Greenway. How does this master plan incorporate or integrate with what the city is already doing?
^ COJ has been involved with Groundwork in hiring PATH - and COJ staff will be on the steering committee
This is the 3rd master plan in the past 8 years.
And, the one I'm most hopeful about.
Was there something wrong with the other 2? Were they so fundamentally flawed and off the mark that they can't be dusted off and enhanced, and instead a new master plan is required? Were they not descriptive enough to be actionable? Did the other master plans contemplate a 3rd?
Or when you don't have the funding to actually clean up toxic creeks and really make this a reality, you try and get funding for studies and master plans to at least keep some attention on the issue?
Quote from: jaxnyc79 on April 01, 2018, 02:47:17 PM
Was there something wrong with the other 2? Were they so fundamentally flawed and off the mark that they can't be dusted off and enhanced, and instead a new master plan is required? Were they not descriptive enough to be actionable? Did the other master plans contemplate a 3rd?
Or when you don't have the funding to actually clean up toxic creeks and really make this a reality, you try and get funding for studies and master plans to at least keep some attention on the issue?
That's all we did for my 30+ years in education up in Michigan. Every three-ish years, we would have a new direction, one that we were all supposed to be gung-ho over and buy into. Then, when you invested all of that time, a new plan would come down that was going to fundamentally change the way we did things. Makes the public think things are happening!
anyone have any thoughts about what the plans are to ensure safety along that entire route, 24/7?
adequate lighting is about all you can do, but for some of those stretches of long bike trails between intersections, I'd imagine it would be a bit of an ask. Likely best suited as a daylight-use facility unless a big lighting plan gets implemented
We have biked through several urban pathways, including Columbus and Ft Wayne. Definitely some sketchy neighborhoods passed through, but never had an incident. As mentioned, it's a daytime thing and the more people there are using the trail, the less likely it is that there will be problems. Far more concerned about my health from the asses in vehicles than I am on criminals preying on me.
I think it will take more than lights and bikes to get people to be comfortable. Did some demo research on some of the neighborhoods, and it will require a pretty high level of comfort and safety in my view.
Quote from: downtownbrown on April 03, 2018, 10:27:20 AM
I think it will take more than lights and bikes to get people to be comfortable. Did some demo research on some of the neighborhoods, and it will require a pretty high level of comfort and safety in my view.
I think you'll be surprised who will be willing to use the path. Not least of all would be the people from the "unsafe" neighborhoods who walk or ride bikes currently to get between these areas, without the benefit of dedicated infrastructure.
I hope so, and I hope taxpayers are comfortable with the spend.
^If taxpayers are comfortable using capital improvement dollars to build a dorm for a private college because the president of the school supported Curry's pension reform, I'd hope we'd be comfortable funding a much-needed publicly amenity like this.
Quote from: TimmyB on April 03, 2018, 09:38:59 AM
We have biked through several urban pathways, including Columbus and Ft Wayne. Definitely some sketchy neighborhoods passed through, but never had an incident. As mentioned, it's a daytime thing and the more people there are using the trail, the less likely it is that there will be problems. Far more concerned about my health from the asses in vehicles than I am on criminals preying on me.
I'm a jogger and I can say the same for Atlanta, Minneapolis and Indy.
Quote from: downtownbrown on April 03, 2018, 11:00:10 AM
I hope so, and I hope taxpayers are comfortable with the spend.
No issues from my perspective. This is a hugely important project. I think something like this would be a great use of bike cops, etc.
$10.6 million in the mayor's draft budget for the McCoy's Creek portion of the Emerald Necklace.
http://www.jacksonville.com/news/20180626/uf-health-emerald-necklace-and-hart-bridge-ramps-highlight-draft-capital-plan
To be honest, I'm most happy to see the restoration of the Moncrief Cemeteries District in this. Kudos to the mayor's office. That's impressive.
Great news!
From the TU article, "The second phase of the Hart Bridge demolition project would involve making improvements at ground level to Bay Street." Does that mean the plan is to remove the ramps, then, sometime in the future, come back and add the 2 lanes to Bay / Gator Bowl Blvd. needed to handle the traffic?
And I agree, good news on the Moncrief Cemeteries.
I'm actually pleasantly surprised at the amount of capital in the budget for these projects - that's REALLY awesome to see. I'll reserve full judgement for when the budget is presented to Council in July (And then obviously if and when the Council chops, but this is a GREAT start.
Agree about the Cemetery restoration too!
^Agree with all.
Seems like a responsible, fair budget when it would have been pretty easy to go flashy.
Quote from: Charles Hunter on June 27, 2018, 09:08:12 AMDoes that mean the plan is to remove the ramps, then, sometime in the future, come back and add the 2 lanes to Bay / Gator Bowl Blvd. needed to handle the traffic?
Sounds like it.
Not necessarily ideal, but I like the fact that we're prepared to action here.
Although, it might give a real-world look at whether the additional lanes are needed, instead of projections. The max load will be when there are multiple events at the sports complex during a weekday evening, mixing multiple event traffic with evening commuters. Now, the commuters can get on the Hart Ramps, and never mix with sports complex traffic; once demolition begins, that won't be an option. On the other hand, you don't build roadways for The Worst traffic day, but something less than that (typ. 30th highest hour).
Current concept is retain 2 lanes each direction on to and off of the Hart and on to and off of to the ramps near Intuition. Between those areas (which is currently called Gator Bowl Blvd) there will be 3 lanes each direction with 7' bike lanes. The curve along Gator Bowl Blvd will be cut off and become a signalized intersection, as will the intersection of A Phillip Randolph and Bay Street.
Concept is subject to change.
JHE - is the six-lane section possible with the $25 million Phase 1 budget in the Draft CIP?
Also, since a PD&E has not been done, is the proposal to just cut off the bridge pilings, to avoid disturbing potentially (very) contaminated soil?
Quote from: Charles Hunter on June 27, 2018, 03:38:49 PM
JHE - is the six-lane section possible with the $25 million Phase 1 budget in the Draft CIP?
Also, since a PD&E has not been done, is the proposal to just cut off the bridge pilings, to avoid disturbing potentially (very) contaminated soil?
Unfortunately both those questions are above my paygrade or out of my technical field, I only do roadway design, not contract management/negotiation or structural work. I believe I read a preliminary structural recommendations list that mentioned NOT pulling the existing pilings for that reason, but I could be misremembering.
Could an Admin snip these Hart Ramp comments over to the Hart Ramp thread?
Design contest for McCoys's Creek:
https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2018/06/27/site-design-selected-for-mccoys-creek.html
City of the future
In March, Groundwork announced it brought on Atlanta-Based PATH Foundation to come up with the master plan to connect 14 neighborhoods to the S-Line, Hogans Creek, McCoys Creek and the Northbank and Southbank riverwalks. A draft of that plan will be unveiled on July 24.
From the article
Quote from: KenFSU on June 27, 2018, 10:05:52 PM
Design contest for McCoys's Creek:
https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2018/06/27/site-design-selected-for-mccoys-creek.html
I know *someone* who will be
very excited about the plans for a kayak launch.
Quote from: vicupstate on June 28, 2018, 04:42:58 AM
In March, Groundwork announced it brought on Atlanta-Based PATH Foundation to come up with the master plan to connect 14 neighborhoods to the S-Line, Hogans Creek, McCoys Creek and the Northbank and Southbank riverwalks. A draft of that plan will be unveiled on July 24.
From the article
from what I understand, there is still much work to be done before the July 24 meeting
More details:
QuoteMcCoys Creek part of Emerald Necklace could get nature-based makeover
Groundwork Jacksonville, a nonprofit whose mission is urban renewal by rejuvenating waterways, has come forward with a plan for a "natural channel" design that the group says will bring out McCoys Creek's beauty and also enhance flood control.
The concept picked up financial support this week from the Jacksonville Environmental Protection Board when it approved up to $84,600 in city dollars for Groundwork to move forward with design.
"It would become more of a natural water body again," board member Michelle Tappouni said at the Monday meeting. "It's a very intriguing concept."
She pumped her fists in celebration when the board agreed to the funding, which Groundwork will supplement with $109,780 it is raising from other sources.
Mayor Lenny Curry is considering a plan for a large chunk of spending over a four-year period for McCoys Creek. At a June meeting of the Mayor's Budget Review Committee, a draft report for the city's next five-year capital improvement program showed $56 million over four years along McCoys Creek on activities such as raising bridges, restoring channels, creating greenways, building kayak launches, and in some cases, removing bridges and building a new pedestrian bridge across the creek.
The first year would authorize $10.65 million in the 2018-19 budget for McCoys projects. Curry will deliver his proposed budget to City Council on July 23.
"If you've spent time in natural forest streams, it's going to present a very familiar feel and viewscape that you would see in your typical Florida, mid-sized meandering stream's channels and floodplains," Kiefer said.
He said some parts of McCoys Creek don't have enough "stream power" for a meandering channel, so in those places, there could be ponds that would be linked by stream channels. In that respect, he said, McCoys Creek would be similar to the St. Johns River, another slow-moving waterway referred to as a river of lakes.
Kiefer said researchers have found that the kind of ponds envisioned for McCoys Creek can support snook and bass, which would make them fishing holes.
That is the kind of attraction that Groundwork Jacksonville, which is affiliated with a national organization, wants for McCoys Creek to reconnect it with neighborhoods. The meandering channels would be bordered by landscaped green space, kayak launches and walking trails.
Kiefer said McCoys Creek has the potential to draw people from across the region.
"I think this will be a magnet for the city," he said. "I really think it has the potential to be something fantastic."
Full story, potentially behind a paywall (I can never figure out what the Times-Union is doing with their subscription policy):
http://www.jacksonville.com/news/20180711/mccoys-creek-part-of-emerald-necklace-could-get-nature-based-makeover
1. NO ONE knows what the T-U is doing with their paywall.
2. I'd like to see the whole plan to understand the vision. Not that anything listed above sounds bad though.
Say what you want about Jax's progress compared to other cities but this is something everyone should rally around and cheer for. I for one am super excited to see this project come to life.
Groundwork Jax awarded $250,000 federal grant for McCoys Creek rehab:
https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2018/11/23/groundwork-jacksonville-awarded-250-000-grant-for.html
That's great news! I'll be excited to follow the development of this project as it becomes more realistic. Looks like it even includes the demo of the Times Union building, but I haven't heard many rumblings beyond seeing that on this proposal graphic.
Cool visionary graphics. If you read them closely, you'll see there's still a lot to be worked out from a technical standpoint. Basically, property acquisition in Brooklyn, freight access from closing McCoys Creek Boulevard limiting active heavy industrial site traffic to residential streets, demolishing the Times Union building, etc. Assuming these items can't be accomplished as dreamed, then there may be some modifications. With that said, congrats to Groundworks for winning the grant. That's an awesome accomplishment.
This guy:
QuoteFormer Mayor John Delaney and urban planner Ennis Davis joined the board of Groundwork Jacksonville. Davis is senior planner with Alfred Benesch & Company. Delaney is a shareholder in the Rogers Towers law firm and specializes in government relations, land use, higher education and general civil litigation. He served as mayor from 1995-2003, then led the University of North Florida as president until retiring in May 2018.
Congrats man!
Two awesome gets for Groundwork Jacksonville.
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/photo-gallery/people-on-the-move-sapienza-promoted-delaney-davis-to-groundwork-jacksonville
Thanks! I'm looking forward to the challenge of assisting in helping get a quality product quickly off the ground and into reality.
Wow, while still reeling over the crazy news of Dane Gray joining JEA's board (I'm sure he doesn't have his mind made up about JEA privatization), this is awesome news. Additionally it looks like Brian Wolfburg (VyStar CEO) and David Miller (Brightway founder) joined as "champions". While it sounds like the latter role will be that of cheerleaders, those are two good names to sign on.
This is the first time I believe that groundwork will actually get something done. Congrats Ennis and let's get this show on the road!
Amazing News! Congrats Congrats
Congrats! Looking forward to seeing it done.
Quote from: Captain Zissou on November 13, 2019, 10:27:38 AM
This is the first time I believe that groundwork will actually get something done. Congrats Ennis and let's get this show on the road!
Ennis was on the Emerald Trail steering committee and provided valuable insight (and practicality) in that group. GW Jax has been impressive building its leadership and momentum.
Quote from: Steve on November 13, 2019, 10:14:14 AM
Wow, while still reeling over the crazy news of Dane Gray joining JEA's board (I'm sure he doesn't have his mind made up about JEA privatization), this is awesome news. Additionally it looks like Brian Wolfburg (VyStar CEO) and David Miller (Brightway founder) joined as "champions". While it sounds like the latter role will be that of cheerleaders, those are two good names to sign on.
"Champions" could also be great fund raisers and donors. Vystar in particular seems focused on downtown. If I remember correctly, Groundworks can get matches for donations, so if a couple of corporations step up this could snowball.
Congrats Ennis!
Should you need more cheerleaders you have the whole Jaxson blog on here to support the initiatives!