Metro Jacksonville

Quote(http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/articles/11_18_09/5a.jpg)

by Max Marbut
Staff Writer

Everything is on schedule for the Laura Street improvement project to begin in earnest Jan. 2. The Jacksonville Economic Development Commission is accepting bids on the project until Dec. 2 and the contract will be awarded about two weeks later. Following that will be a public meeting between City officials, the contractor and property owners and tenants on Laura Street. Construction of the first phase of the project, the block south of Bay Street, is set to begin the day after the Konica-Minolta Gator Bowl game. It includes a new roundabout and the relocation of the statue of Andrew Jackson astride his horse that’s been tucked away next to the Landing since the riverfront retail and entertainment center opened.

That phase is expected to take about 90 days and the entire project about a year to realize Laura Street’s improvement from the Landing to Hemming Plaza.

A new element has been added to the original concept of wider sidewalks and more shade to improve the pedestrian experience. The JEDC has enlisted the expertise of the City’s Historic Planning Commission and the Jacksonville Historical Society to create a series of historical markers that will be installed in the sidewalks on Laura Street. The intent is to tell how the street is such an important part of the city’s history.

JEDC Executive Director Ron Barton said the historic markers will be a valuable enhancement because, “This project goes beyond wider, more aesthetic sidewalks and shade trees. Laura Street is more than just a streetscape project. We’re creating an experience and there’s no better way to tell the story than through the history. The historic sites on that street are some of our greatest assets.”

Less than a block east of Laura Street on Adams Street, there’s a plaque on The Carling that indicates the building is where the Jacksonville Historical Society was founded more than 80 years ago.

“This is an exciting project that will allow people to learn more about the historic buildings on Laura Street,” said Emily Lisska, executive director of the society. “We think the stories behind those buildings are something people would like to know.”

Even the street’s name has history behind it, said Historic Preservation Planner Joel McEachin.

“The street was named after one of Isaiah Hart’s daughters,” he explained.

Hart was Jacksonville’s founding father and one of the people who tied a rope around a bay tree near the Courthouse Annex on Bay Street (hence the name) in 1822 to lay out the first streets.

“Laura Street wasn’t on the original plat,” McEachin added. “But it wasn’t very long after.”

McEachin said Laura Street was relatively unscathed during the Great Fire of 1901 but that catastrophic event began a series of changes to Jacksonville in the early 20th century. The commercial district shifted from Bay Street to Forsyth Street. The Atlantic National Bank Building on Forsyth Street near Laura Street was one of the first high-rises in the Southeast. Henry John Klutho, an architect who came to Jacksonville soon after the fire, designed the 10-story Bisbee Building on Laura Street, which McEachin said may have been one of the first framed concrete structures in the South.

Hemming Plaza is at the north end of the Laura Street improvement project and McEachin said it too has quite a bit of history behind it.

“Shortly after the Civil War the Hart family donated the land for a public park. Soon it was surrounded by big resort hotels like the Windsor and the St. James. Tourists walked down Laura Street to visit shops and restaurants on Bay Street. Laura Street is like a journey through time,” he said.

The project will also create some of its own history when next year’s Jacksonville Jazz Festival will be affected by the project. Last year moving the event from Metropolitan Park into the heart of Downtown, specifically Laura Street from Hemming Plaza to the Landing, proved to be a hit with audiences, performers and vendors. The 2010 JJF will remain Downtown, but will have to be relocated due to the construction that will be underway Memorial Day weekend.

“The business and property owners on Laura Street are eager for this project,” commented JEDC Deputy Director Paul Crawford. “Some inconvenience is just part of the process. We have to earn a great street.”

Moving the festival a few blocks away could actually be an advantage said Barton, who added, “What we have is a great opportunity to take something that was successful and make that same thing happen in another part of Downtown.”

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/downtowntoday.php

We have been very involved with this project thanks in large part to Paul Crawford with the JEDC.  Once completed, Laura Street will become the epicenter for downtown Jax and add a new "connective" feel between The Landing and downtown Jax.  It's no secret that we were pretty much built with our arms open to the river and our backs facing downtown.  For years we have wanted to change that by actually cutting through the center of our building at the end of Laura Street.  The "cut through" would allow people to see the river from as far north as Hemming Plaza (maybe even Union Street).  Until we own the land that our building sits on, the cut through isn't feasible.  So until then, we are excited with the Laura Street improvements.
Obviously, certain changes do bring some heartache.  We are concerned with our Loading Dock and how we will be able to get our merchants' truck deliveries in and out.  We are also concered (just like any business dealing with construction) that customers will have a hard time getting to us, or basically think the difficulty isn't worth it.  We all shall see, right?

(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa111/Ocklawaha/HISTORY%20%20and%20War%20Yankee%20Aggression/HemmingPlaza.jpg)(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa111/Ocklawaha/HISTORY%20%20and%20War%20Yankee%20Aggression/HemmingPlazaconnection.jpg)
Notice anything? Hum? in the SAME SPOT? TALL. 

BTW, did you know our "Confederate" on top of the obelisk is a common mass produced soldier statue that was available from just after the war until today? TRUE, however a little known fact is EVERY SOUTHRON MONUMENT built across the land, from Arizona to Richmond FACES SOUTH! Fact.

So we will tell the tale that Hemming Plaza came about AFTER the War of Yankee Aggression? WRONG. The plaza was a military base and several photos of it are available. It was part of a system of towers erected by the Confederate Signal Corps.

Another story that usually goes UNTOLD. The six bravest soldiers in American History climbed down from that tower after signaling the alarm of invasion. When General Seymour's 15,000 toops started forming up on the wharves downtown, "THE LANDING", the six signal corps men marched into the street and fired into the blue mass. Brave? Crazy? Maybe, but in so doing then scattering into the town, Seymour was deprived of the 54TH MA INF. (Movie Glory) which he detailed to capture them. It took so long that they arrived at Olustee too late to save Seymour's army from a crushing defeat.

Come on folks, my ancestors didn't wear the red shirts and fight under a black flag for nothing! I'm willing to bet yours didn't either.

Will we tell the fantastic story of the Streetcars? The Trolley Park? Will we even tell the story of that arched entry sign? (Kudos on that BTW). Sure some designer just came up with it, however, it's a MATCH for the one that stood there, in front of the ferry landing for 70+ years.  


OCKLAWAHA
DEO VINDICE Y'ALL!

Thank you for the history story of courage under fire, Oklawaha.  Every monument except one faces south, maybe...unless I have my sense of direction wrong (and I may, Main St. may bend there) the Woman of the South monument to the Women of the Confederacy in Confederate Park faces west. :-)  It was built with money raised by Confederate Veterans at a Reunion in Springfield. I think the year was 1914, and the name of the park was changed from Dignan Park to Confederate Park. It's a Newman monument, and perhaps his only woman...or rather women...because there are two...the main character and the woman on top holding the furled banner.  The magnificent monument and sculptures were cleaned and restored by the Springfield Woman's Club in 2008.

But...I digressed off the subject...I love what's happening with Laura Street downtown.

The historical additions are a great idea. JaxLanding thank you for your perspective and I love the idea of the cut through.

Quote from: Debbie Thompson on November 19, 2009, 12:33:58 AM
Thank you for the history story of courage under fire, Oklawaha.  Every monument except one faces south, maybe...unless I have my sense of direction wrong (and I may, Main St. may bend there) the Woman of the South monument to the Women of the Confederacy in Confederate Park faces west. :-)  It was built with money raised by Confederate Veterans at a Reunion in Springfield. I think the year was 1914, and the name of the park was changed from Dignan Park to Confederate Park. It's a Newman monument, and perhaps his only woman...or rather women...because there are two...the main character and the woman on top holding the furled banner.  The magnificent monument and sculptures were cleaned and restored by the Springfield Woman's Club in 2008.

But...I digressed off the subject...I love what's happening with Laura Street downtown.

Yes, I understand the brave woman faces the interior of Florida where most of the working farms of the Confederacy were located, burned out, robbed, murdered etc.

The Soldiers are the ones who ALWAYS face south, you make an interesting point with the woman statue, something worth chasing the symbolism.

So how about it Jacksonville? Do we tell these unique urban story's too?

OCKLAWAHA

This looks great.  Finally an iconic street downtown.  I hope this does wonders for the businesses located in this area. 

Quote from: JaxLanding on November 18, 2009, 09:13:09 PM
We have been very involved with this project thanks in large part to Paul Crawford with the JEDC.  Once completed, Laura Street will become the epicenter for downtown Jax and add a new "connective" feel between The Landing and downtown Jax.  It's no secret that we were pretty much built with our arms open to the river and our backs facing downtown.  For years we have wanted to change that by actually cutting through the center of our building at the end of Laura Street.  The "cut through" would allow people to see the river from as far north as Hemming Plaza (maybe even Union Street).  Until we own the land that our building sits on, the cut through isn't feasible.  So until then, we are excited with the Laura Street improvements.
Obviously, certain changes do bring some heartache.  We are concerned with our Loading Dock and how we will be able to get our merchants' truck deliveries in and out.  We are also concered (just like any business dealing with construction) that customers will have a hard time getting to us, or basically think the difficulty isn't worth it.  We all shall see, right?

No worries, regular Jax Landing patrons know they can enter from the river side of the complex.  Most of us are use to renovations and construction, I don't see you having any real problems.

Quote“Some inconvenience is just part of the process. We have to earn a great street.”

This is so true, and no one knows it better than the merchants on Main in Springfield. But Main from 1st-12th is now earned, and hopefully Springfield will be able to better connect with Hemming/Landing via Laura St soon after the southern portion of this project is complete.

Entrepreneurs, Springfield is open for business. Jacksonvillians, come check it out!

Front page of todays TU...

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-12-27/story/work_to_start_on_27m_project_for_walkable_laura_street

QuoteConstruction will begin next month on a $2.7 million project Jacksonville officials hope will give people a glimpse of what downtown can be, sparking a renaissance in the struggling city core.

By the end of 2010, a four-block stretch of Laura Street from Monroe Street to The Jacksonville Landing will be converted to the pedestrian-friendly corridor Mayor John Peyton envisions as the cornerstone of a walkable, vibrant downtown.

Improvements include opening Laura Street to two-way traffic, adding a roundabout to replace a traffic light where Laura dead-ends at the Landing and more inviting, wider sidewalks....

Speaking of the history of street names. What about Market St. Was there a Market of some kind on it and if so were. The city could recreate a historic market like they have in Charleston.

No, no, no ... a colony of meerkats used to live there, but the early settlers of Cowford couldn't spell so good, and "Market" was as close as they could get!  :D

If I don't know the facts, I make them up!

LOL

Quote from: stephendare on December 27, 2009, 11:46:01 AM
You would think the TU would have mentioned the genesis of the project.

The readers are predictably off the chain in the comments.

I'm sure you'll let them know  ;)

How long will Laura Street be screwed up. The few stores open on Laura have got to be saying "Oh Sh@#"! Will most of the work be done after 6pm? How many of the few parking spaces will be shut down? I have been away I'm sure some if not all of these questions have been asked or answered I just don't have the time to check. Could someone answer these for me thanks. ;)

Quote from: stephendare on December 27, 2009, 11:46:01 AM
You would think the TU would have mentioned the genesis of the project.

The readers are predictably off the chain in the comments.

I usually don't even waste my time reading them. Mostly paranoid racists on the T-U and FCN comments section.

The comments from our fellow citizens in the Times-Union article are indicative of the general feeling around town about downtown Jacksonville, I think. Unfortunately, the mindset here is (and has been, for as long as I can remember) "tear down that old junk and build something new." Then, the new stuff sits until it BECOMES "old junk," and the cycle continues.

One way of putting the local mindset: Why spend money revitalizing downtown when there is still space on Beach Blvd available for strip malls??

(One commenter had a good idea - incentives for small businesses willing to move downtown. I know a half dozen would-be entrepreneurs who would jump at such an opportunity.)

It is probably the same mindset around most of the country regarding urban settings. People that get excited about a Chili's opening next to the new Wal-Mart are everywhere in the southeast. We need more young professionals.

Quote from: If_I_Loved_you on December 28, 2009, 10:47:46 AM
How long will Laura Street be screwed up. The few stores open on Laura have got to be saying "Oh Sh@#"! Will most of the work be done after 6pm? How many of the few parking spaces will be shut down? I have been away I'm sure some if not all of these questions have been asked or answered I just don't have the time to check. Could someone answer these for me thanks. ;)

since they will do the project one block at a time, most businesses will only be affected for 2-3 months...and the inconvenience to drivers shouldn't affect business much, as most of these shops are dependant on foot traffic.

Anything NEW downtown is progress with this administration. Bring on the new new!

City Begins Overhaul Of Laura Street

POSTED: Wednesday, February 10, 2010
UPDATED: 4:20 pm EST February 10, 2010


JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Get ready for a big mess downtown while the city tries to make Laura Street friendlier for walkers.

Mayor John Peyton, City Council members and other officials broke ground Wednesday on a nearly $3 million renovation of the street.

The sidewalks will be widened and cobblestone pavers will be used to create a café atmosphere.

"We believe this public realm initiative will pay for itself in economic growth in downtown Jacksonville by attracting more capital investment and encouraging workers, residents and visitors to locate in this great area," Peyton said.

Where Laura ends at Independent Drive, a traffic circle will be built to accommodate two-way traffic. The Andrew Jackson statue now at the Landing will be moved to the center of the roundabout.

The project will close down Laura Street near the Landing for 90 days, but it will take about a year to complete all the improvements on the road. Officials said most of the construction will take place between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. and will be completed one block at a time to minimize disruption.

http://www.news4jax.com/news/22524602/detail.html

“This is an exciting project that will allow people to learn more about the historic buildings on Laura Street,” said Emily Lisska, executive director of the society. “We think the stories behind those buildings are something people would like to know.”

I like the project, but the excitement about "signs of old buildings" is just laughable!! As if tourists or even new residents would even be interested in that. Meh. Go ahead and make them, but do it inexpensive.

Change happens slow in Jax, and that's fine. I like the A Jackson statue move - brings a focus to the origins. Tell HIS story more. What about a couple FREE HORSE AND CARRIAGE RIDES going up and down the street starting at the landing?

QuoteWhat about a couple FREE HORSE AND CARRIAGE RIDES going up and down the street starting at the landing?

I like it!!

Quote from: rjp2008 on February 10, 2010, 05:05:28 PM
“This is an exciting project that will allow people to learn more about the historic buildings on Laura Street,” said Emily Lisska, executive director of the society. “We think the stories behind those buildings are something people would like to know.”

I like the project, but the excitement about "signs of old buildings" is just laughable!! As if tourists or even new residents would even be interested in that. Meh. Go ahead and make them, but do it inexpensive.

Change happens slow in Jax, and that's fine. I like the A Jackson statue move - brings a focus to the origins. Tell HIS story more. What about a couple FREE HORSE AND CARRIAGE RIDES going up and down the street starting at the landing?

Well...speaking as an out-of-stater with a lifelong love for Jacksonville, my interest in the city really escalated to a new level when I got Jacksonville's Architectural Heritage 17 years ago and started learning the stories behind the city's buildings.  I really like the plaque idea.  I even wrote to CSX corporate giving about a year ago to ask if it would be interested in sponsoring something like that.

The horse and carriage idea is a great one.  One of these days I swear I have to come up with an idea to not only do historical tours of Jax but make them a major attraction...the story is far more interesting than most realize.

Took some snaps of the construction yesterday...



(http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/6246/picture003ir.jpg) (http://img15.imageshack.us/i/picture003ir.jpg/)

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I'm starting to get a picture of the roundabout and I think it will be a wonderful addition.  With the statue in the middle and some nice flowers, the aesthetic appearance of the intersection will be greatly enhanced.  Now just picture being able to see the statue against the backdrop of the river (with an opened up Landing).    Get rid of the Main Street Bridge entrance ramp next to the landing, a little high density infill as well as opening stores to Laura street and finally we might have a walkable destination area with some potential.

Other than Friendship Park, San Marco Square, and River Road, can anyone recall any public fountains in this town?

A fountain in that circle or one like it or in a pocket park downtown would be a nice addition.

I remember walking by a really neat pocket park in Manhattan (seems like it was in the high 40's or low 50's) and the park, wedged between buildings featured ivy covered trellises, small trees, little round tables and chairs, and water running over the entire back wall of the lot into a trough at the wall base.  The sights and sounds of running water provided a real oasis of peace in the midst of all the hustle and bustle.  In fact, here are some  photos and some comments on it I just found on the internet...

(http://www.soulofthegarden.com/Images/NYPaleyParkWide.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2155/2275143935_2436da9072.jpg)

(http://static1.px.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/JY8KH_2KSBHz9BhYJ4QeSg/l)

QuoteThis is Paley Plaza, described as a "vest pocket" park, it is a tiny oasis in the Midtown area, the densest part of the city. I first saw this park when I passed by it many years ago when I was a child,  even then it struck me as an extraordinary space. It consists simply of a waterfall/fountain, locust trees, and moveable seating. The sound of the water masks the noise of the street and draws visitors inside. It is a brilliant  piece of landscape architecture. A world-class park that could fit in most Austin backyards!

http://www.soulofthegarden.com/dailymuse0703.html

QuoteSamuel Paley Park, designed by Robert Lewis Zion of Zion & Breen on the site of the former Stork Club on the north side of East 53rd Street between Madison and 5th Avenues, opened on May 23, 1967 as the first vestpocket park. The 40-by-100-foot urban oasis, named in honor of former CBS Chairman William S. Paley's father, contains 12 honey locust trees planted in modified quincunx pattern, and a 20-foot-high waterwall, vertical lawn side walls adorned with ivy, and cobblestones set unevenfly to slow pedestrian traffic. The waterfall, flowing 1,800 gallons of water per minute, creates a backdrop of grey noise masking the sounds of the city.

William Paley commissioned the park--part of his proposal for a vestpocket park for each midtown block in Manhattan. Zion designed prototype for park for 1963 Architectural League exhibition

The Stork Club was one of the most famous nightclubs in New York during the 1930's-1950's. Owned and operated by Sherman Billingsley, a former bootlegger from Oklahoma, the club was a symbol of Café Society drawing celebrities and power brokers among its clientèle.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wallyg/2275143935/

Here are a few other fountains in the downtown area.

The Landing
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-7993-p1160952.JPG)

The Peninsula and Strand
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/471904905_ocyPL-M.jpg)

(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/471905080_9kr8Z-M.jpg)

Stein Mart headquarters
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/471904131_ygtc2-M.jpg)

There's one in front of the Haskell building on Riverside Ave.  Aren't there fountains in Hemming Plaza?

^Yes.

When mentioning fountains, how can we forget friendship fountain?  :o
(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/149/392681921_502e1b0a32.jpg)

Quote from: coredumped on May 04, 2010, 12:17:45 AM
When mentioning fountains, how can we forget friendship fountain?  :o
(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/149/392681921_502e1b0a32.jpg)

I think it was the first one mentioned...but the pic sure looks nice!

Just imagine if all of the spouts worked & the BOA tower was lit up (again).  Someone needs to sneak a pond pump in there!

I was in Charlotte NC two summers ago and I loved the fountains they had there.  I think Trade and Tryon streets is the main intersection in their core, which has public art on all 4 corners and fountains on 2 of them.  We don't really have any art of that scale in our core.  I was with 4 twenty year-olds and we played in the fountains for a good half hour.  Imagine the amusement it would bring to children.

Sorry for the thread hijack.  Laura Street.

Quote from: Charles Hunter on May 03, 2010, 11:28:36 PM
There's one in front of the Haskell building on Riverside Ave.  Aren't there fountains in Hemming Plaza?

yes there are

The rotary is about finished. Does anyone know when the city plans to move the Andrew Jackson statute?