Quote(https://photos.moderncities.com/photos/i-DDDz2bK/0/L/i-DDDz2bK-L.jpg)
A brief look at the status of various developments under construction in and around Downtown Jacksonville.
Read More: https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/urban-construction-update-march-2022/
I watched the Friendship Fountain rendering video and saw someone recently post a video of them testing the fountain... Call me crazy, but it didn't seem any different than what it used to do after the renovation 12 years ago. Am I missing something?
A lot of the restoration around the fountain itself was plumbing - they wanted to make the thing able to sustain if a pump failed, keep pumps from failing, etc.
I was under the impression that kids would be able to play in this latest version of the fountain.
Which building is the Blue Orchid going into at Riverside Village (#26)?
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-Zf6jWmh/0/XL/i-Zf6jWmh-XL.jpg)
The building in this image at 1551 Riverside Avenue is where Blue Orchid is going in.
Thanks - so, #1 on the plan view?
Quote from: jaxjaguar on March 24, 2022, 11:54:08 AM
I watched the Friendship Fountain rendering video and saw someone recently post a video of them testing the fountain... Call me crazy, but it didn't seem any different than what it used to do after the renovation 12 years ago. Am I missing something?
I saw the fountain running yesterday - and it did look different but still quite impressive. It the fountain is accessible to people, that will need to be areas that have low pressure.
I'm still trying to figure out the logic on the "teardrop" roundabout at Herschel/St. Johns/Geraldine. Can anyone explain that?
Are we really expecting people on Herschel Southbound or Geraldine Eastbound that need to go East on St. John's to go down to the other roundabout? Wouldn't the Herschel drivers just cut through the strip mall there?
^ teardrop, dogbone, peanut, and dumbbell are all types of elongated roundabouts - and yes, people will often go through one and around the other to make "a left turn"
That doesn't answer my question - why do this vs. a regular roundabout? Why inconvenience those drivers?
Quote from: Steve on March 25, 2022, 12:38:20 PM
That doesn't answer my question - why do this vs. a regular roundabout? Why inconvenience those drivers?
Good question.
If you think the ones there are gonna have people cutting over the median, wait until you see what's next for Edgewood/Roosevelt .If you think going across a bridge to double-back and make a turn has issues, perhaps I can interest you in some railroads.
(https://residentnews.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/US-17-at-Edgewood-Ave-CONCEPT-120221.jpg)
That truck apron is gonna take some punishment.
Ultimately, I think both of these projects improve the area, despite their issues. "Roundabout all the things" I say.
Quote from: jaxjaguar on March 24, 2022, 11:54:08 AM
I watched the Friendship Fountain rendering video and saw someone recently post a video of them testing the fountain... Call me crazy, but it didn't seem any different than what it used to do after the renovation 12 years ago. Am I missing something?
Here's the video of the fountain being tested:
https://www.news4jax.com/features/2022/03/25/vegas-or-jacksonville-friendship-fountain-shows-off-new-bells-and-whistles/
Here's the video of the renders that you probably saw:
https://youtu.be/l-ccs9LFUvo
Main differences between the new fountain and old fountain seems to be that the Bellagio-lite swirling effects, more finesse and power for the non-central spouts, and supposedly a lot more redundancy to prevent the thing from breaking down (lots and lots of individual pumps instead of just three major pumps controlling the whole thing).
Lake, hard to tell in the testing video, but there is supposed to be a splash pad for the kids to play in on the periphery, and there might be a splash zone surrounding the fountain as well.
The main element I don't see in the video and I haven't heard much about is the projection system. Original plan was to have the fountain capable of producing a wall of mist that effectively turned the fountain into a video wall that could be projected on like this:
https://youtu.be/-kCUILKYu2Q
Moment Factory is/was the partner for that aspect, and the plan was to have the projection show synched with the new node at the Times-Union Center (with a projection on the side of the CSX building).
That Related restaurant is going to be a cool spot when it opens.
Couple of interesting things to see when driving around today
The Fire Museum being moved:
(https://i.postimg.cc/QdNYzVV1/318-B81-F6-030-C-474-B-BE06-F23-A6-C72-D4-FA.jpg)
The T-U on its last legs:
(https://i.postimg.cc/TPp7RSVP/DA1-D2913-2-E52-4604-B016-493293-CA6-F54.jpg)
The USS Orleck should arrive tomorrow between 11:30am and 2:30pm.
If the new MOSH, the Fire Museum, and the Navy Museum cooperate on a combination ticket, that should help both the Navy and Fire museums. You may not go downtown to just see one of those, but if you are going to MOSH, for "a little more" getting into the other two might be just the ticket (sorry). This assumes the two smaller venues survive until the new MOSH opens in, what, two or three years? I guess they could do a combo-ticket now, it just wouldn't be as convenient - maybe throw in a water taxi ride?
Wasn't the fire museum free?
Quote from: Charles Hunter on March 25, 2022, 09:50:27 PMThis assumes the two smaller venues survive until the new MOSH opens in, what, two or three years?
3-5 years :-X
Fire Museum is on the move today.
The Bay Street on and off ramps for the Hart Bridge are now open.
What really stands out to me when entering downtown from the Hart Bridge now is, with what the city is trying to do along the Northbank riverfront, it's just so baffling that we didn't finish the job and take down all of the elevated ramps.
Those remaining ramps create such a visual disconnect between the sports district and the CBD.
Would have been so much better to just route all traffic down a clean, open, continuous, reconfigured Bay Street into downtown.
Does the MOSH no favors as well, practically butting up against that stupid ramp.
(https://assets-global.website-files.com/5ddd33dadff6242f0f84f23a/60d6235602f01499748bec90_Shipyards%20Conceptual%20Plan.JPG)
I think money (or the lack of) had something to do with leaving those remnant ramps. With all the buildings and Hogan Creek next to, and under, the ramps it would likely be more expensive than a normal ramp demolition. Someone needs to press the City and FDOT for a Phase 2 to remove those ramps.
I agree that the whole thing should have come down. At this point it will save drivers maybe 30 seconds and it really breaks up the area.
The only business still in operation under the ramps is the sulzbacher center and I believe that is now moving. The ramp does pass very close to Intuition, but I don't think they'd mind the interruption to their business to get that ramp down. So the main obstacle to bringing the rest down is keeping debris out of Hogan's creek. Additionally, the added lanes for the future U2C route makes the area no more pedestrian friendly than it was when the elevated lanes were there. I drive that road everyday and I still can't envision what the intended final product is. It appears that the road will be 6 lanes wide when finished.
The main hidden expense is probably related to contamination. That parking lot between sulzbacher and Hogans Creek behind Maxwell House used to be a rail yard. There's no telling what you're unearthing there.
Quote from: thelakelander on March 30, 2022, 10:36:00 AM
The main hidden expense is probably related to contamination. That parking lot between sulzbacher and Hogans Creek behind Maxwell House used to be a rail yard. There's no telling what you're unearthing there.
Couldn't you just tear down the ramps and leave the parking lot undisturbed?
There are a lot of columns holding up the structure, with pilings that penetrate that area, that would have to come down as well. With that said, I'm a fan of taking the entire thing down regardless of the cost. If we're going to do raze the structure, let's raze all of it.
When (note the confidence!) the Hart Remnant Ramps are removed, will any of the existing east-west streets need upgrades east of Liberty Street? Vehicular, pedestrian, and non-motorized transportation need to be considered.
Looking at Google Maps
The Mathews Expressway has 2 lanes in each direction, with no bike or pedestrian facilities
Duval Street has three different sections:
* between Liberty and Catherine is one-way westbound, with sidewalks on both sides, and no designated bike lanes
* between Catherine and Palmetto is the bridge over Hogan Creek (and the former RR) is 1 lane each way with shoulders (which bikes could use) and sidewalks on both sides
Adams (which jogs around the Maxwell House plant) has one lane each direction, a sidewalk on the north side of the street, and no bike lanes
Bay - 2 lanes each way, with reversible lanes that can make 3/1 in the peak direction, sidewalks both sides, no bike lanes
* east of Palmetto it is 2 lanes each way with sidewalks but no marked bike lanes
Quote from: thelakelander on March 30, 2022, 01:39:27 PM
There are a lot of columns holding up the structure, with pilings that penetrate that area, that would have to come down as well. With that said, I'm a fan of taking the entire thing down regardless of the cost. If we're going to do raze the structure, let's raze all of it.
How much was the ramp and reconfigure of Bay Street? Seems like that wasn't a well thought out cost. I mean without it you'd have a unused highway there but wow.
This is off-topic a bit, but what is the status of the Duval School Board relocation? Is there an outstanding RFP or a deadline of some kind? Seems like its been awhile since this was mentioned in the news.
Quote from: vicupstate on March 31, 2022, 09:26:32 AM
This is off-topic a bit, but what is the status of the Duval School Board relocation? Is there an outstanding RFP or a deadline of some kind? Seems like its been awhile since this was mentioned in the news.
DCPS partnered with CBRE on the RFP.
It was fairly complicated, with bidders being asked to take the lead in relocating DCPS into a new 100k square foot HQ (whether that be via new construction or renovation of an existing building), with the current Prudential HQ and three or four other surplus properties being offered to help fund the relocation.
Final bids were supposed to be due at the end of February, but there hasn't been much info about number or quality of bids.
Quote from: thelakelander on March 30, 2022, 01:39:27 PM
There are a lot of columns holding up the structure, with pilings that penetrate that area, that would have to come down as well. With that said, I'm a fan of taking the entire thing down regardless of the cost. If we're going to do raze the structure, let's raze all of it.
Agree. No more half-assing things. Either use your whole as or no ass.
^(https://i.postimg.cc/GhRMrd4B/262-DB802-4-A21-4117-850-D-C0-C7-E77-CFF4-E.gif)
The entire area around the stadium is not an area you want to be digging. A lot of what was left after the fire in 1901 was dumped in the area. Lot J is entirely capped and if you look it has no inlets. It drains to the pond over by the TV station. The area also had an old paint factory and they built Liberty ships in that area as well. That is why Lot J has no inlet, the soil is not something you want to be digging into.
If you look at Lot J you will see humps on the parking lot where the old rails went to the river to launch the ships. The parking lot has settled on either side of these old rails that are on piles.
COJ just didn't have the money to take down the whole thing. The Grant they received from the Feds was the only way they had enough money to do what they did.
Quote from: Ken_FSU on March 31, 2022, 09:55:10 AM
Quote from: vicupstate on March 31, 2022, 09:26:32 AM
This is off-topic a bit, but what is the status of the Duval School Board relocation? Is there an outstanding RFP or a deadline of some kind? Seems like its been awhile since this was mentioned in the news.
DCPS partnered with CBRE on the RFP.
It was fairly complicated, with bidders being asked to take the lead in relocating DCPS into a new 100k square foot HQ (whether that be via new construction or renovation of an existing building), with the current Prudential HQ and three or four other surplus properties being offered to help fund the relocation.
Final bids were supposed to be due at the end of February, but there hasn't been much info about number or quality of bids.
Update:
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/duval-schools-receive-16-bids-in-plan-to-sell-relocate-from-downtown-headquarters
Side question:
Anyone know what's going on with the San Marco Theater? Noticed today that the windows were all boarded up and it looked like it was closed down. Remodeling maybe?
Quote from: Ken_FSU on April 07, 2022, 01:52:11 PM
Side question:
Anyone know what's going on with the San Marco Theater? Noticed today that the windows were all boarded up and it looked like it was closed down. Remodeling maybe?
They closed temporarily to complete some renovations.
I hate that DCPS isn't revealing the 16 potential locations.
Quote from: fieldafm on April 07, 2022, 03:29:37 PM
Quote from: Ken_FSU on April 07, 2022, 01:52:11 PM
Side question:
Anyone know what's going on with the San Marco Theater? Noticed today that the windows were all boarded up and it looked like it was closed down. Remodeling maybe?
They closed temporarily to complete some renovations.
Thanks Mike!
Quote from: thelakelander on April 07, 2022, 03:41:29 PM
I hate that DCPS isn't revealing the 16 potential locations.
Given what I know of the FL Sunshine Laws, I found this were unusual:
QuoteAlthough the identities are public, the invitation to negotiate allows the district to keep the details of each bid out of the public record until the school board selects a winner.
Reading the whole article, it seems like the entire decision making process is in the hands of staff except for a school board vote up or down on the final decision.
QuoteWright said the six school district employees on the selection committee do not have a deadline to score the bids.
This makes me nervous. How can there not be a deadline? Is this going to drag out for months?
Quote from: Captain Zissou on April 08, 2022, 03:48:40 PM
QuoteWright said the six school district employees on the selection committee do not have a deadline to score the bids.
This makes me nervous. How can there not be a deadline? Is this going to drag out for months?
Does this answer your question?
QuoteThis marks the closest the district has moved toward its goal of moving from the St. Johns River since making it a priority nearly two decades ago.
That is from the Daily Record article [emphasis added]
FANTASTIC to see a new LGBTQ bar/club coming to the Elbow.
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/proposed-hardwicks-bar-seeks-dollar145-000-in-dia-incentives
That said, as a marketing guy, I do worry about brand confusion and the SEO/SEM/navigation confusion of having a bar called Hardwicks located a block from a (proposed) new development called The Hardwick.
Quote from: Ken_FSU on April 08, 2022, 09:11:20 PM
FANTASTIC to see a new LGBTQ bar/club coming to the Elbow.
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/proposed-hardwicks-bar-seeks-dollar145-000-in-dia-incentives
That said, as a marketing guy, I do worry about brand confusion and the SEO/SEM/navigation confusion of having a bar called Hardwicks located a block from a (proposed) new development called The Hardwick.
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/dia-committee-advances-dollar145-000-incentives-deal-for-hardwicks-bar-project
QuoteDIA CEO Lori Boyer told board members April 13 that the city agency hopes to resolve any naming conflicts that arise between Hardwicks Bar and Atlanta-based developer Carter's $140 million mixed-use residential high-rise proposal The Hardwick, expected to be built Downtown on Bay Street.
One project that hasn't been tracked here is the new Industry West headquarters on the Southbank. Looks like they're coming along.
Was leaving lunch and noticed a new book/coffee shop going up on Main in Springfield (between Crispys and Springfield Scoops).
(https://snipboard.io/QzNvdf.jpg)
Due to the angle, and font, I can't read the name - what is it?
Quote from: Ken_FSU on March 29, 2022, 02:52:30 PM
The Bay Street on and off ramps for the Hart Bridge are now open.
What really stands out to me when entering downtown from the Hart Bridge now is, with what the city is trying to do along the Northbank riverfront, it's just so baffling that we didn't finish the job and take down all of the elevated ramps.
Those remaining ramps create such a visual disconnect between the sports district and the CBD.
Would have been so much better to just route all traffic down a clean, open, continuous, reconfigured Bay Street into downtown.
Does the MOSH no favors as well, practically butting up against that stupid ramp.
(https://assets-global.website-files.com/5ddd33dadff6242f0f84f23a/60d6235602f01499748bec90_Shipyards%20Conceptual%20Plan.JPG)
The Emerald Trail will also be coming through that area at some point so the ramps don't do it any favors either. Looks like the trail is actually planned to go around the ramps, not along Hogan's Creek and under them. Maybe some new options would open up if the ramps came down - subject to cleaning up the suspected debris and contamination.
(https://dp887453iv47f.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/ET-OVERALL-MAP-NUMBERS-LEGEND-3.2.21-800-600x464.jpg)
I saw the "AVAILABLE" sign go back up at corner of St Augustine and Phillips Hwy vacant parcel. Did that fall through? Perhaps Capt. Z knows.
Quote from: Charles Hunter on April 14, 2022, 05:28:15 PM
Due to the angle, and font, I can't read the name - what is it?
Wasn't much more legible from the front ;D
I *think* Me Shall Reads?
Anyone else hear anything about Snyder Memorial being sold by any chance?
Was told by someone who works nearby today that the city sold it to a guy interested in opening a wine bar.
Zero clue if this is actually true, and I thought the city tabled selling it after the last RFP to potentially hold as a Civil Rights Museum, but also a weird thing for someone to totally fabricate as well.
Quote from: Ken_FSU on April 20, 2022, 06:21:45 PM
Anyone else hear anything about Snyder Memorial being sold by any chance?
Was told by someone who works nearby today that the city sold it to a guy interested in opening a wine bar.
Zero clue if this is actually true, and I thought the city tabled selling it after the last RFP to potentially hold as a Civil Rights Museum, but also a weird thing for someone to totally fabricate as well.
There have been no open RFPs on that property for some time, nor is it currently offered in DIA's property disposition list, so it has not been sold. There may be someone that wants to buy it. If that's the case, then good luck to them. The engineering reports aren't exactly clean, even after COJ spent money to stabilize the foundation issues about 8 years ago.
Quote from: acme54321 on April 13, 2022, 09:42:45 PM
One project that hasn't been tracked here is the new Industry West headquarters on the Southbank. Looks like they're coming along.
Here's an update!
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/dia-advances-dollar1-23-million-in-incentives-for-1001-kings-ave-renovation
Not sure if anyone has noticed but Broadstone Riverhouse has some serious issues due to what ultimately looked like seawall failure. It's been going on for some time but they are currently doing major work behind the building to remedy it.
Quote from: acme54321 on April 26, 2022, 01:02:33 PM
Not sure if anyone has noticed but Broadstone Riverhouse has some serious issues due to what ultimately looked like seawall failure. It's been going on for some time but they are currently doing major work behind the building to remedy it.
I believe there was a defect when they built the pool, which resulted in a leak that eroded the backfill behind the seawall.. ultimately leading the entire bulkhead to sag and fail.
They had been trying to make repairs since last summer, and then finally had to pursue a more comprehensive fix, which resulted in the barges and cranes currently on site. The pool has been closed since maybe May of last year(?)
Stumpy's in Springfield is opening on May 5th.
Something that hasn't been mentioned: the property at 1610 N. Main Street is being renovated to use as a cafe. Years ago, it was Kool Beans Cafe for a short time.
Times Union is down to the elevator shaft.
(https://i.postimg.cc/DztkmmWV/image.png)
Whole Foods will be the grocer at the T-U site development. Will be interesting being across from Fresh Market.
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/whole-foods-market-to-anchor-one-riverside-in-brooklyn
Quote from: Steve on March 25, 2022, 08:29:17 AM
I'm still trying to figure out the logic on the "teardrop" roundabout at Herschel/St. Johns/Geraldine. Can anyone explain that?
Are we really expecting people on Herschel Southbound or Geraldine Eastbound that need to go East on St. John's to go down to the other roundabout? Wouldn't the Herschel drivers just cut through the strip mall there?
Every time I go riding down Woodmere on the bike, I either have to take the fenced off sidewalk across the water or cut through all the lanes to go across into the Northbound Herschel and every time I do, I shake my head and wonder how many people they expect to turn right, go around the round-a-bout and come back the way they need to go. Also, the bike lane seems to cut off and not continue so that anyone on a bike will need to cut into traffic to go southbound on Herschel. What. A. Headache.
Panera signage up in Brooklyn.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Qt2kVqR8/0-F1470-DA-7-A38-4-E93-AC08-5-E962-EFF2167.jpg)
Bishop Classic Motors is now renovating 305 East 1st Street, a property it purchased sometime ago. It'll be a show room - they restore classic cars.
Looks like a tower crane has finally made an appearance at the Doro.
What is the new construction at King St and Forbes? On the west side of King.
Quote from: Captain Zissou on May 12, 2022, 12:04:44 PM
What is the new construction at King St and Forbes? On the west side of King.
New bank branch for SoutthState Bank. They are finally going to come off that overly huge parcel for redevelopment once the new, smaller branch, is built.
Wasn't the original idea of an apartment complex disapproved?
Quote from: riverside_mail on May 12, 2022, 03:06:49 PM
Wasn't the original idea of an apartment complex disapproved?
RAP discouraged a local developer's design that didn't include a lot of retail. They went ahead and found a different site, and already built a complex nearby with apartments and retail (none of which has been filled). That particular project was never formally submitted through the Planning Dept, and the site hasn't been formally marketed to a wide range of prospective buyers.
Large crawler crane currently being assembled at the new apartments going up at Hendricks/Nira. I assume that means the garage is going to start going up shortly.
Just broke ground on hotel in Brooklyn