Updated renderings for JTA's transit center
(https://photos.moderncities.com/Cities/Jacksonville/Development/Jacksonville-Intermodal/i-B3Zbrmm/0/fa678f37/L/20180419%20DDRB%20Agenda%20Packet_Page_148-L.jpg)
With the relocated Greyhound terminal nearing completion, the JTA is moving forward with the second phase of its long proposed Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center.
Read More: https://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2018-apr-updated-renderings-for-jtas-transit-center
Love the landscaping, though I'm a bit disappointed (but not entirely surprised) to see some of the more dramatic design elements removed.
In particular, I really liked the original design where the entire building was elevated, with a bus passthrough underneath, that nice sloping plaza, and the main entrance elevated to Skyway height.
(https://snag.gy/2FLcXz.jpg)
Looks like everything is ground level now, with the buses passing behind the building.
(https://photos.moderncities.com/Cities/Jacksonville/Development/Jacksonville-Intermodal/i-5ftbpTC/0/20ac5212/L/20180419%20DDRB%20Agenda%20Packet_Page_171-L.jpg)
Per the JBJ, the new design was approved by the DDRB.
The pedestrian bridge was not.
They called it an eyesore.
https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2018/04/20/downtown-housing-projects-gator-bowl-blvd-marquee.html
I can't help but feel disappointed.
The original concept was what we were all sold on. We proudly supported Pond not only because the building looked nice, but because of the stylish and urban manner in which the surrounding land was integrated. The way the busses traveled under the building and this great big gorgeous plaza stood in front as the centerpiece of a future transportation district, with a gorgeous pedestrian bridge that could (eventually) be expanded to Union Terminal. We supported Pond because that's what we wanted, and they presented it as if it was buildable.
And yet, now they're coming back, hat in hand and saying they can only half-ass what they promised this city. And we're supposed to just be okay with this?
I honestly don't mind the new design update. The Skyway Plaza area is still elevated with a public sitting area.
Very Sad that they dumped the Pedestrian Bridge. We just returned from Europe and outside of Amsterdam there is this cool bridge with people's faces etched into the Steel that goes over the bridge. It was made for those who impacted the life in the City of Hoofddorp, where it is located. http://www.zja.nl/en/page/2339/steel-faces-bridges-hoofddorp (http://www.zja.nl/en/page/2339/steel-faces-bridges-hoofddorp).
I can see why the ped bridge was called an eyesore. Here's the most recent version. It's significantly valued engineered over what was shown originally during the conceptual planning phase.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Cities/Jacksonville/Development/Jacksonville-Intermodal/i-QqK9Crk/0/b17377d8/X2/JRTC%20Pedestrian%20Bridge%20Night-X2.png)
Most recent version of the office building:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Cities/Jacksonville/Development/Jacksonville-Intermodal/i-N2LJgNB/0/c8f903a6/X2/JRTC%20Rendering%20April%202018-X2.png)
What the hell is this? For the love of God, don't tell me that taxpayers are spending $50 million on that. That can't actually be the most recent version? Or at least not the one they're building?
How could we go from this: (https://snag.gy/2FLcXz.jpg)
To this? (https://photos.smugmug.com/Cities/Jacksonville/Development/Jacksonville-Intermodal/i-N2LJgNB/0/c8f903a6/X2/JRTC%20Rendering%20April%202018-X2.png)
How could we go from "Gateway, Iconic, Catalyst" to "An office building from the 1980s, but bent?"
Was the original concept completely unbuildable?
Is the Rosa Parks bus station closing?