As I'm sure many of you know, John Gorrie Middle School has been sold to the Weavers. Plans are to convert the facility into either residential or Magnet School uses. Those interested in discussing the future of the former John Gorrie Middle School can come to a community meeting on Monday, March 16th, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, at the Church of the Good Shepherd. Call the RAP office for more information.
That building would be awesome as lofts/apartments. Something similar to The Lofts San Marco, I hope.
Adding residential to that corner would be a real shot in the arm for that part of Riverside.
From what I heard, they are asking folks to look at what Landon became (The Lofts) to get a good idea. Also a slight possibility of some retail on the first floor, but not in the initial plan.
I'll keep an ear out as well, since my boss is on the RAP board.
Do you mean South Jacksonville Grammar School?
Quote from: billy on March 17, 2009, 03:45:36 PM
Do you mean South Jacksonville Grammar School?
Yes, thanks.
I don't know what's wrong with my bearings today. :P I've got a lot of schools on the brain with a work-related project.
So what happened in the meeting?
I heard it was well-attended, largely by people who live in the immediate area. The Weavers will likely develop the property as apartments, possibly with the option of later conversion to condos. They will have to seek a rezoning of the property (currently public school), and will need to seek high density. The odd little (non-contributing) band building will stay for now, as it makes a good staging area for construction supplies. Construction is slated for the fall, after market analysis is complete. From what I heard, it was a very positive meeting, with the Weavers voicing a commitment to the 'hood.
Will more than likely tie in some retail spaces as well, since the shops to the South are doing very well, especially 13 Gypsies.
per The Resident.....
the demo portion of the project should just finished up (end of November), construction will begin in early 2010, and the renovations should be complete by Spring 2011.
68 effeciency units and 1&2 bed room condos, with retail and commerical space to be addded after the living areas are complete.
One thing that caught my eye.....68 effenciecies? good golly. How is that going to impact the relatively quite, lower traffic streets around it? that's at least 68 people, plus the condos.....so i'm thinking close to 90 additional people or so.
FSU, there's lots of parking on that site and the neighborhood already has densities like that. Because things are so close, a lot of us walk and bike anyway. I don't think there will be any bad impacts on the neighborhood traffic. Both streets are through streets too.
It will be good to see the ugly, modern brick boxes that obscure the school come down, too. I think the one on Stockton was the band room or something since it has no windows.
It should be less of an impact on the community than when it was operating as a school. The street network is also a grid, so traffic should disperse instead of being confined to a single arterial.
I lived most of my life 2 blocks from John Gorrie, on Myra. My family still lives there. It's going to be a big change having 100 new neighbors, plus businesses. The Weavers have a sterling reputation though, so i'm sure it will be done right.
I would think that the streets that would see the biggest increase in traffic, foot and car, would be Stockton (obviously) and Myra & College (which border John Gorrie).
Should be interesting, looking forward to it.
Quote from: fsu813 on December 06, 2009, 11:34:10 AM
per The Resident.....
the demo portion of the project should just finished up (end of November), construction will begin in early 2010, and the renovations should be complete by Spring 2011.
68 effeciency units and 1&2 bed room condos, with retail and commerical space to be addded after the living areas are complete.
One thing that caught my eye.....68 effenciecies? good golly. How is that going to impact the relatively quite, lower traffic streets around it? that's at least 68 people, plus the condos.....so i'm thinking close to 90 additional people or so.
Are you sure that doesnt mean a total of 68 units in the building? The school is pretty big, but it doesnsnt seem big enough to have that many efficiencies plus enough 1 and 2 bedroom condos for it to be a cost worthy project.
agreed AmyLynne...I read that as 68 total units, comprised of efficiencies, 1 bedrooms, and 2 bedrooms
"efficiencies" can't be 2 bedrooms, can they?
That's a great idea, i hope they stick to it. It would be nice to have another option other than The Villas for something updated.
I have a question, where will the occupants of 68 units park? Perhaps the basketball courts? Is there a parking deck there? I don't remember one.
That is good news. Looking forward to this getting underway.
Parking will be to the left of the buildings (when facing College) and on the right side of the main building (facing Stockton). This parking will be hidden from Stockton Street by the commercial building (to be built by someone other than the Weaver's in the future). They have enough parking and it will be landscaped.
i still don't think you can count a 2-bedroom apartment as an "effeciency". =P
I don't think multiple bedrooms can qualify as efficiencies either, but as you already pointed out, I'm sure the Weavers will do a positive to the neighborhood. Glad to see this project. Good luck to the Weavers & to the residents in and around the project! Placing additional living spaces in close proximity to downtown and increasing our core is a great thing for all of us!
I know, I'm speaking to the choir on that one.
Quote from: fsu813 on December 07, 2009, 07:36:10 PM
"efficiencies" can't be 2 bedrooms, can they?
No. It sounds like there will be a total of 68 residential units in the building. The number of efficiencies, 1 and 2 bedroom apartments will add up to 68 residential units.
It should be interesting to see what security measures will be implemented.... locked gates and a guard shack arent very historic or "Community" for that matter.
i always thought an efficiency was a small 1 bedroom apt.
Excluding the bathroom, an efficiency is a space with no rooms. Its all open. You use your furniture to separate the room into actual usable spaces.
Example:
(http://www.parthenonproperties.com/images/stories/cv/crestview-efficiency-bedroom-floor-plan.jpg)
Quote from: thelakelander on December 09, 2009, 06:55:52 PM
Excluding the bathroom, an efficiency is a space with no rooms. Its all open. You use your furniture to separate the room into actual usable spaces.
Example:
(http://www.parthenonproperties.com/images/stories/cv/crestview-efficiency-bedroom-floor-plan.jpg)
Seriously? lol.. i would hope everyone here knows what an efficiency looks like.
QuoteParking will be to the left of the buildings (when facing College) and on the right side of the main building (facing Stockton). This parking will be hidden from Stockton Street by the commercial building (to be built by someone other than the Weaver's in the future). They have enough parking and it will be landscaped.
So.....no covered parking, a walk of 100 feet to the doors from College....I think the Weavers need the sun to shine down 24/7 to make it safer to walk there after the sun goes down. Nothing covered from College to the doors, sure, that sounds good, until you get dumped on or someone jumps out from the shadows.
Just north of there on Stockton, the Gate station has been the scene of some pretty good shootouts.
maybe it will have security?
I recently moved to this area (Stockton/Gilmore) and you can tell that it's improving. I believe the John Gorrie Conversion is going to help move that improvement along.
Also I walk up to that gate station regularly and have never had a problem.
Just don't cross Stockton the the station on the other corner!
Indeed. The Gate station is well lit and clean. The BP across the street, on the other hand...
While it's true this area of Riverside has had more trouble recovering than other areas, there have been a number of positive developments there in recent years (LOVE me some 13 Gypsies!). What the Weavers are proposing is exactly what's needed to bring a boost to the Stockton corridor. The pending city-sponsored Stockton Street improvements will help as well. From what I understand, this will include better (and historic looking) lighting, repairs to pavement, medians, etc., nice landscaping . . . .
Brian, you are SO right about that area! King Street between Park and the Interstate has seen the same improvement.
Now if we could just get the minute market at the corner of Ernest and Stockton closed, that would go a long way toward cleaning up the street and reducing questionable activities.
I refer to my prior post about the guard shack and gated security.
I think this block that the school is on can be a real positive addition to the Stockton bordered neighborhood...but not if it gets finished in gated exclusivity. If the original plan to have retail out front is being stuck with maybe this wont happen...it would have to have access to the living areas.
Maybe excessive flood lighting is the answer...and at least a couple of "Rent-A Cops" (even though Barney isn't taken seriously anymore).
There is a lot of parking space back there, but near the fringes of the schoolyard.It's too bad Acosta st or whatever doesn't run through there making a square block.
Ideas anyone?
Quote from: thelakelander on December 09, 2009, 06:55:52 PM
Example:
(http://www.parthenonproperties.com/images/stories/cv/crestview-efficiency-bedroom-floor-plan.jpg)
Where's a place for a PC? ;/
Ernest,
I dont forsee 'serious' crime being a huge problem there.
If 80 new people move in to a nice, decntly lit and active building.....that will curtail crime more than spawn it.
So not to bring this thread back from the dead but has anyone seen or heard of further progress? I see the outside being worked on consistently but I'm curious at to the inside setup... anyone have pictures?
Quote from: stephendare on August 24, 2010, 07:48:27 AM
904 check out todays front page article. there are tons of photos.
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2010-aug-urban-core-construction-update-august-2010
Ya I took a look at the pictures earlier, that's what made me ask. Any proposed floorplans etc?
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All the new apartments/condos and new rental over retail in the district still cannot compete with the tiniest of oversights which left unaddressed will continue to contribute to the breeding ground for decay via sketchy perception of the surrounding region.
The underside of the four US-17 to I-10 related overpasses north of Ortega need to be wired for lighting.
Over Rosselle near CenterSt and Cherokee. between McDuff and BoldCity Brewery.
Over McDuff near Willowbranch and RR.
Over Hamilton St. and @ LakeShoreBlvd near the pier near Chamblin's bookmine.
When you compare the lighting provided for most everyother underpass- these 4 spots are far darker than the law should allow. Thesedays with solar technology!!?
Try it out on a bike at night.
RAP?, RADO?, MHPA? and LAPS? must align for the sake of squeaking loudly enough!
You can not over state the impact of proper lighting.