Metro Jacksonville

Urban Parks: Metropolitan Park

(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/550189494_ti83J-M.jpg)

Metropolitan Park is the centerpiece of Mayor Peyton's plan to add flex green space and revitalize the urban riverfront.


Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-jun-urban-parks-metropolitan-park

...and?

No commentary.  Just images of another park space to go with the overall Urban Parks photo series.

And again, I say:
Extend either the Skyway or a trolley down to that area, and *really* realize the "flex"ibility of that space.

$0.02

Perhaps it's being featured because of the Mayor's new park plan?

This might seem weird but when I first drove by the place, something about the configuration of the grounds (when viewed from the elevated highway) led me to believe there was a putt-putt golf course there.

Why are there so many chain link fences in this park?  Whenever I go to a Jaguars game, I always feel like they want people to stay out of there because of all the dang fences.

Since it is a performance Park, they have to have a way to control how people get in and out and make sure that people don't sneak in. I am not sure how they can correct this except with temporary fencing for events.

How about the let more local events happen and just take a cut of the proceeds? (ie local bands, theater, speakers, etc.)

5PointsGuy:

I'm 4 tickets in 441

I love that picture of the northbank.  That has always been my favorite angle for viewing the skyline. 

I remember when this property was an oil tank farm/terminal.  My parents used to worry about one of the tanks blowing up during a sold out game at the Gator Bowl.  :D  Across the street, where the some of the stadium parking is was a Benjamin Moore paint factory.  All gone in the name of progress.

Below:  Benjamin Moore Paints is the complex between the original Gator Bowl pictured and the Hart Expressway ramp.  Early Metro Park is between the ramp and the river.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2119/2086579241_8975d7b7b8.jpg?v=0)

Photographer: "I took this shot back on June 12, 1993 shortly after receiving my private pilot's license, while flying over the Gator Bowl Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida." From: http://www.flickr.com/photos/slimeface/2086579241/

From the  http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=52545

Quote$20M in renovations proposed at Met Park
Jacksonville Business Journal - by Lauren Darm

Proposed renovations to Metropolitan Park in downtown Jacksonville include some adjustments to the area around the amphitheater to help it compete with another venue on the First Coast.

“The St. Augustine Amphitheater is stealing a lot of our business,” said Ron Barton, executive director of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission during its meeting last week. “These are events that could easily be booked here as well.”

The only plan for the amphitheater at Metro Park is downgrading the slope of land surrounding the theater to make more room for people attending the events there, and it should make them more competitive, Barton said. But this is the last stage of the renovation project for the Jacksonville park.

Other renovations include an expanded children’s playground and discovery area, a new entry plaza and covered picnic pavilions along the sides of the green at Metro Park. The entire project should cost around $20 million, and they hope to get it started by the first of the year, Barton said.

“A good park like this could be just as effective as a good arena,” he said.

When former mayor John Delaney tried to renovate Metro Park and the amphitheater during his term, the Jacksonville community raised red flags in fear they would lose some access to the park.

In addition, many residents across the river were afraid of the noise the amphitheater would produce, especially on week nights, but they aren’t as concerned now.

“The problem last time was that the city wouldn’t be over the amphitheater anymore, but as long as the city continues to run it, that would be fine,” said former Jacksonville city council member Suzanne Jenkins, who chaired the movement against the amphitheater during Delaney’s administration. “They do a really good job.”

Last time they were worried they wouldn’t get a response if they filed noise complaints to a different company, Jenkins said, but they know the city will respond.

She even admitted that they like attending events at the amphitheater in Metro Park.

“I can understand. I’ve been to some things there, and the whole community across the river is used to it by now,” she said. “I think this is definitely a dialogue worth having.”

QuoteThe only plan for the amphitheater at Metro Park is downgrading the slope of land surrounding the theater to make more room for people attending the events there, and it should make them more competitive

$20 million - seriously?  + some new monkey bars & an upgraded entrance?  $20 million?  I still don't see that as being on par with St. Augustine. $20 million.  Really?

THIS is an amphitheater btw (The Ford Amphitheatre, Tampa), & it's total cost was ~$23 million.
(http://dansmark.com/past_current_projects/Tampa_amphitheater1.jpg)

Check out the sound wall that THEY built - could be a nice remedy for the folks across the river, too.
(http://www.dsisteel.com/projects/gallery/photo/16.jpg)

$20 million? :o

Again.  Seriously?

the noise wall in Tampa was added later...because the roof was built higher than the permit allowed and noise readings were far higher than were originally predicted....and since it was added later, it was in addition to the $23 million for the ampitheater itself.

OK fair enough - but look what $23 million DID get them.  We're talking about $20 million JUST to move dirt, add playground equipment & tables, & upgrade the entrance.  All things being equal, that would have left Tampa with $3 Million to aquire the land, build the core structure, sound stage, seating, et al...........

QuoteAnd again, I say:
Extend either the Skyway or a trolley down to that area, and *really* realize the "flex"ibility of that space.

I totally agree, even though I am not in town, I am glad they moved the Jazz fest from this park, Treaty Oak Park gets more play from me than this one. It has train access, even with it being a smaller park. I also feel they need to change the name, when you google "Metropolitan Park" the Jax park should be the first to come up, but it isn't. They need to figure a name that lets people know "The Park in Jax on the River" that name is too generic.

$20 million is obviously for more than just the ampitheater area of Metro Park...for example, it includes renovations to the Kids Kampus space, the on-sitebuildings, a new entrance to the park, and possibly even some rehab of the riverwalk/dock areas.

I think that's what blizz01 said, tufsu1.  Tampa got a really great amphitheater for $23million.  We get a reworked entrance and some water spritzers for the kiddies (which is good, now we don't need them at Friendship Fountain).

Quote from: Charles Hunter on June 16, 2009, 09:49:10 PM
I think that's what blizz01 said, tufsu1.  Tampa got a really great amphitheater for $23million.  We get a reworked entrance and some water spritzers for the kiddies (which is good, now we don't need them at Friendship Fountain).

and what I'm saying is we also get rehabbed buildings, a redone ampitheater space, and refurbished riverwalk/dock space

What I'm saying is that for $20 million, you should be able to raze & rebuild - NOT refurbish.  It just seems so blatantly disproportionate when compared to other recently completed venues (The Cruzan @ West Palm, St. Augustine, The Ford Amphitheatre).  I understand that the whole of the $20 million is not entirely for the amphitheater, however the article at it's core suggests that St. Augustine is stealing business & the goal is to compete for better bookings.  That said, the amphitheater at Metro Park won't be touched until the end of the "project".  Dave Matthews won't be making a tour stop in Jax because we upgraded playground equipment & added picnic tables.  What supplemental buildings are to be refurbished?  Restrooms?  Concessions?  Permanent seating?  In addition, the article makes no mention of a refurbished riverwalk/dock space.  Sorry, but $20 million seems grossly exaggerated...................... 

If the concerts are going to Suwannee and to St. Augustine DUH, SMG you freakin idiots, that is telling you that you need a better pavillion. SMG is a joke. They should be fired and the city should sue them for the millions they cost the city in fees.

Level Met park, start over, the grass is great, but dig out the front area for premium seating and sell it as the best outdoor area, south of Chastain park. For 20 million we can do that, to heck with Kids Campus, this new park is about the ADULTS!!!!!

um...SMG just manages the facilities...the City built them!

Quoteum...SMG just manages the facilities...the City built them!

You obviously have not been to the Arena in a very, very, very long time. As a matter of fact, we have more graduations at the arena, than we do concerts......

http://jaxevents.com/calendar.php

Sadly, we only have 5 events, yes ONLY 5 events planned the remainder of this year in the arena. After we had no less than a dozen graduations in spring of local high schools.

SMG = High school management of the future. City - fire them, put the contract out for bid.

The actual CIP for the City includes $25.9 million for contruction.  You can look at the Master Concept Plan at the following link

http://www.coj.net/Departments/Jacksonville+Economic+Development+Commission/Downtown+Development/Downtown+Parki.htm

Looks great, for once I would like to see them stick to a plan, implement it and get the job done.

So, we only have 2 events left. 2 are country music's hot ticket concerts that are always sold out. Another is a very popular R&B artist and will likely draw a huge crowd. The last is a likely to be well attended NBA game,

Also, don't forget the XMAS themed stuff that takes place at the Arnea, they're just no posted on the events site.

Overall it looks like a good proposal.  I'm not too keen on the complete removal of Kids Kampus but in the end I think that this proposal is a better use of the site.

I also like that the alcove between the existing Met park and kid kampus is being filled in to expand the available space. 

I just really hope that more trees are included where appropriate, perhaps along the riverwalk and entire perimeter of the park.  Shade is never a bad thing.

Any idea of how this project will better integrate the park with its surroundings (for example, the stadium, arena or baseball grounds)?  Will infill development be encouraged along Bay Street, where Jax Municipal Stadium's parking lots currently stand?  Will the park expand its borders to acutally reach Bay Street?  If you drive down Bay Street, will we be able to even tell that there is a park on the other side of the Hart Bridge ramps? 

I bring these points up because they are more important that what type of fountain goes in or what type of sod is planted for the flex green space.  If no real attention has been given to integration, all we'll end up with is a pretty, isolated park that fails to make a significant impact on the surrounding area.  A nice space, but no Central Park, Boston Commons, Lake Eola Park or Millenium Park (which is what it is being talked up to be).

^ So what you're saying is, without careful and thoughtful planning we could be dealing with another Main Street Pocket Park, but on a much larger scale?

Because of it's isolation, the homeless situation may not be what it is on Main Street.  However, because of its isolation, it will not be what many hope it will become. 

For 20 million, they had better create the best kids park in all of north america!!

The current park created for what - 4 million - is laughable. What is that traffic grid thing there - a tribute to JTA and jax roads??

Where is the GIGANTIC FRONTIER FORT with WATER CANNONS, REAL CAROUSEL, BUMPER CARS, CLIMBING WALL, etc. A SKATE PARK.

the overall project is estimated at $22 million, but the first phase of the Mayor's plan was a $9 million makleover....but $3 million was moved to the Landing to buy a parking lot, leaving $6 million for Metro Park

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=546623


Thoughts on what the city should do with Metro Park to make it something worthwhile? It is certainly has some beautiful views of the skyline on the river.

I say it's a perfect spot for the proposed aquarium and the ship/museum. That, or convert it into a large public green space. We're long over due for one of those in the downtown area.

Metro Park had a good run, but it's time to think of a use that'll serve us more than a concert venue for a limited number of events a year. It could be a really nice park tying the Shipyards to the stadium district.

Combined with the Shipyards, that looks like about 60 total acres on the river that can be developed.  I would say that the city should do some remediation on the western portion and parcel off the land for development.  They can still get the mega-project that they want on the eastern portion once the area gets more densely developed.

What's more likely to happen:  The city puts a giant wall around the whole thing and turns it into a waterfowl hunting ground for the rich.

I agree with the comments in the article that it should be repurposed into a recreational park for the north bank.  Jacksonville does not have any other riverfront parks downtown and it is the "River City."  The public should have spaces to enjoy the river and its natural beauty.  All of the buildings on the north bank essentially cut the river off from the public except for a teeny tiny little spot by the Landing.  That's not good enough for the "River City."  I think we need to keep Metro Park a park and spruce it up a little.  Looks like no maintenance has been done in the last three decades.  I'd rather see development take place on some of the surface lots west of the stadium and keep lots of green space along the river.  I do agree though that if any buildings went in the aquarium and ship museum were good ideas . . . . but with lots of open shared green space!!!  How cool would it be to have one continuous actual riverwalk all the way from Riverside to the Stadium with small to medium sized parks along the way.