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On September 12, 2024, the Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department will present the park plans to the Downtown Development Review Board for feedback. Here is a look at the latest design for the park surrounding Friendship Fountain.
Read More: https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/new-plans-for-friendship-fountain-park/
There is no world where the COJ will properly maintain the gardens shown in that plan.
Love the inclusion of both restrooms and concessions.
I can't tell from the plans, did the water features/splash pad get cut from the new design?
I am not a fan of the architectural style proposed - it seems in conflict with the original design of the fountain, as well as the update.
Quote from: tufsu1 on September 10, 2024, 11:17:09 AM
I am not a fan of the architectural style proposed - it seems in conflict with the original design of the fountain, as well as the update.
I agree. Seems like a really odd fit for that location. Looks like something that belongs in a state park campground. If they were finished in revival tabby or something like that I would be a little more on board.
Quote from: acme54321 on September 10, 2024, 01:12:35 PM
Quote from: tufsu1 on September 10, 2024, 11:17:09 AM
I am not a fan of the architectural style proposed - it seems in conflict with the original design of the fountain, as well as the update.
I agree. Seems like a really odd fit for that location. Looks like something that belongs in a state park campground. If they were finished in revival tabby or something like that I would be a little more on board.
Agreed. This is our post card view shown on TV, and we want this out of place building and ship there? Maybe put it on the other side away from the bridge and closer to the restaurant that's supposed to go in.
For what its worth, I too do not like the design. Agree that the style is more befitting a campground than something in the middle of the city.
Quote from: Fallen Buckeye on September 10, 2024, 02:27:16 PM
Quote from: acme54321 on September 10, 2024, 01:12:35 PM
Quote from: tufsu1 on September 10, 2024, 11:17:09 AM
I am not a fan of the architectural style proposed - it seems in conflict with the original design of the fountain, as well as the update.
I agree. Seems like a really odd fit for that location. Looks like something that belongs in a state park campground. If they were finished in revival tabby or something like that I would be a little more on board.
Agreed. This is our post card view shown on TV, and we want this out of place building and ship there? Maybe put it on the other side away from the bridge and closer to the restaurant that's supposed to go in.
I'm less worried about the ship playground than the actual buildings' styling. If the architectural styling was something that resembled colonial Florida (Not that Jax as around then, but still) with the ship and all it might be kind of cool. Something like St Augustine's fake colonial buildings.
Either way, the KOA cabin aesthetic ain't it.
Here is a link the DIA Agenda. You can zoom in and see the plans a little better. They are on pages 137-147.
https://dia.coj.net/getattachment/8d130edc-05a3-44aa-ba21-159c50185f20/.aspx
It seems like they are going for a historical theme. The concessions are "Timucuan themed" and there is a "Jean Ribault themed playground". The restroom building is somewhat of a Florida Cracker/Florida Vernacular design. The design might turn some people off, but I will give them credit for trying to generate revenue and stimulating activity. The restrooms have a separate bridal preparation room, which is next to a wedding plaza. The concessions and wedding venue should be able to make a killing.
The Bartram's Garden looks amazing in the rendering, but includes 1,000+ annuals. A lot of the plantings are native, but it will still take a lot of effort to maintain. We all know this is a huge problem for COJ. I would love to see all of the revenue generated by concessions and the wedding venue pumped right back into a downtown parks maintenance fund. Hopefully that is the plan with all of the new downtown parks.
New design (top image) vs. previous design (bottom image) below.
Tastes are obviously subjective, but looks like a slightly larger garden with the new/final design, the removal of the splash pad, and the decision to break the concession and restroom building into separate structures.
Looking forward to it, should be pretty rad.
Anyone know if the projection show is still a go for Phase 2?
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Quote from: acme54321 on September 10, 2024, 08:44:48 AM
There is no world where the COJ will properly maintain the gardens shown in that plan.
Agreed. As a native plant nerd that is an extremely impressive plan for the garden, but the city hasn't proven they can manage a green space even a fraction as complex as that.
Quote from: Josh on September 11, 2024, 08:09:36 AM
Quote from: acme54321 on September 10, 2024, 08:44:48 AM
There is no world where the COJ will properly maintain the gardens shown in that plan.
Agreed. As a native plant nerd that is an extremely impressive plan for the garden, but the city hasn't proven they can manage a green space even a fraction as complex as that.
I believe the Riverfront Parks Conservancy was established with this issue in mind. A conservancy is a tool used for significant parks and public spaces around the US.
https://riverparkjax.org/
Couldn't get a photo without causing a five-car pileup, but the ship looks like it's nearly done. Looks fantastic when crossing the Main Street Bridge. IMO, looks much bigger/cooler than I imagined from the sketch.
Also noticed on the other side of the Main Street Bridge that the shell of the cafe building looks nearly complete at Riverfront Plaza.
Not sure what the mayor's office is doing differently, but it's really encouraging to see these public projects looking like active, major construction zones moving along quickly, versus the glacial one man in a Bobcat (if that) pushing dirt for 3 years approach of the previous administration.
I didn't even know they started on the restaurant. I see work down there when going over the Acosta, but can't see much.
Quote from: jcjohnpaint on February 04, 2025, 05:51:53 PM
I didn't even know they started on the restaurant. I see work down there when going over the Acosta, but can't see much.
To be clear, was referencing the cafe (with the playground above it) at Riverfront Plaza, not the restaurant. Initial design ideas for the Friendship Fountain restaurant were just released maybe two weeks back, and I believe the Riverfront Plaza restaurant is still in the initial concepting phase as well.
Love the idea of restaurants at both, and also think there's a lot of opportunity to create synergy between Riverfront Plaza, the Main Street Bridge, and Friendship Park.
Will never replace what we lost on the Northbank with the Landing, but hoping for some decent mixed use on the private pad at Riverfront Plaza and cultural use when MOSH leaves to tie it all together. Not sure if it's still in play, but also loved the idea of the evening light/projection show spanning both the fountain and the face of the CSX building.
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