Urban Core Construction Update - April 2010
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/839290775_f5da4-M.jpg)
A look at the status of various projects under construction in and around Downtown Jacksonville during the month of April.
Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2010-apr-urban-core-construction-update-april-2010
I drove by the courthouse this morning - gotta say, it's looking good!
Windows are finally going in on the lower floors. It's beginning to look like the pictures finally. ;D
Courthouse looks great. I was in the current courthouse just last week, and let me tell you, this county is in need of a new courthouse. I can't wait for the new one to be complete.
i hope they have good plans for the old courthouse area
Courthouse is looking good; seems it's going up faster than I thought it would. I know the timeline hasn't changed but just my perception. Hope the economy continues to pick up pace and open up so that some of those projects that were "iced" a couple of years ago, et al residential and office towers downtown, will commence.
"HU"
Quote from: hanjin1 on April 19, 2010, 11:47:45 AM
i hope they have good plans for the old courthouse area
They do have good plans, but they don't have any money to implement such plans. I am curious as to what will happen to that parcel until the proposed convention center can be constructed.
What's up with Berkman II? I have heard rumors that it has been open to the elements so long that the structural steel is no longer safe and that after the lawsuits are over, it will be demoloished.
Anybody out there know anything?
would make a good paintball building
Please tell me Sweet Pete's is related to the truck that parks outside of SquareOne. That would be the best news I've heard, since the Jimmy Johns announcement!!
Great news for PLS and The Loft. Both great night spots. The Stockton area is gaining some momentum. Once John Gorrie opens it'll be interesting to see what follows.
What's Sweet Pete's?
What kind of clubs/bars are PLS and The Loft?
Quote from: Captain Zissou on April 19, 2010, 01:44:25 PM
Quote from: hanjin1 on April 19, 2010, 11:47:45 AM
i hope they have good plans for the old courthouse area
They do have good plans, but they don't have any money to implement such plans. I am curious as to what will happen to that parcel until the proposed convention center can be constructed.
I think MetroJacksonville has good plans for the old Court House site (move the convention center), but I don't think the City has
any plans for the site. Except perhaps sell it to a buddy for less than value.
I think that the property of the old courthouse should go to the private sector, so the city can increase it's tax revenue. Although a convention center with a waterfront view and accessibility would make an attractive temptation for more functions. But, anything's better than a surface parking lot that there now.
I think the old courthouse site should be used to build a memorial to Jake Godbold that looks similar to this:
(http://images.travelpod.com/users/washdcmike/washington_dc.1184438640.5-ww-ii-memorial.jpg)
Quote from: Keith-N-Jax on April 19, 2010, 06:27:24 PM
What's Sweet Pete's?
Sweet Pete is a chef who has a gourmet kitchen on wheels. He is parked outside of SquareOne most nights and cooks up a number of delicious treats. I got Steak and shrimp with Mac 'n chees and fries for $13 with a side salad once. AMAZING. He is half the appeal of going to Square1.
Quote from: TheProfessor on April 19, 2010, 08:19:06 PM
What kind of clubs/bars are PLS and The Loft?
The Loft is an urban looking, very industrial decor, nice bar. Low lighting, music isn't overpowering, and a number of different settings built into the space. (bar seating, tables, couches, an actual loft, dance floor). Poppy Love Smoke is a cigar and wine bar that features live jazz and other music. It has been featured on this site a number of times.
Quote from: finehoe on April 20, 2010, 02:42:30 PM
I think the old courthouse site should be used to build a memorial to Jake Godbold that looks similar to this:
(http://images.travelpod.com/users/washdcmike/washington_dc.1184438640.5-ww-ii-memorial.jpg)
no new parks. main street bum park and bumming plaza are enough
^^amen to that!
The courthouse looks nice, but it is still amazing how they managed to screw the city in the process. Every comparable city, such as Charlotte or Las Vegas, built their new courthouse as 20 story skyscrapers. This helps the skyline and takes up a minimal footprint in a prime property area. Knowing this, the idiotic leadership in Jacksonville decides to close down several city blocks and build a 5 story building that eliminates lots of prime space for private enterprise and will cost the city property tax revenues.
Quote from: DemocraticNole on April 20, 2010, 06:25:26 PM
The courthouse looks nice, but it is still amazing how they managed to screw the city in the process. Every comparable city, such as Charlotte or Las Vegas, built their new courthouse as 20 story skyscrapers. This helps the skyline and takes up a minimal footprint in a prime property area. Knowing this, the idiotic leadership in Jacksonville decides to close down several city blocks and build a 5 story building that eliminates lots of prime space for private enterprise and will cost the city property tax revenues.
While I agree that this may be the common approach for most cities, I think that we can all agree that JAX is a different animal. In many ways, the occupancy of several blocks may be a good thing in JAX because, let's face it, most (if not all) of the blocks that the courthouse is sitting on was blank earth.
Currently, LaVilla doesn't have much prime space, and I think it just might be a good thing that the courthouse is going to take over such a blank part of downtown.
I do hope that several of the other empty lots around will later be filled with the type of private enterprise that you are hoping for.
I agree that it is probably good that it takes up 4 blocks since there is a dearth of building activity in LaVilla. I wish that the grid of the city had not been disturbed, but since it has been I also wish that the curved portion of road were not in front of the courthouse, so that the park could be larger in front of it. I hope that the city does something great with the public space in front! Also I think that Porland, Oregon's "Pearl District" is a good expample of what could happen with LaVilla. The Pearl District is all new buildings in an area adjacent to Downtown Portland with great small parks.
Where is The Loft? Is it open yet?
925 King Street in Riverside. Its between Walker's and Kickback's.
Stupid City.....they did not have to spend money they don't have on a design that is substandard! Leave it to the Pay-a-ton bunch to flub one more thing! I have they dock Johnny's pay for that $350 Million! I did not approve that much so I guess I should ask .............Just who the hell did?
CS...the community approved a sales tax increase...not any given project or project cost.
tufsu..........I may be wrong but that "Better Jacksonville Plan" was approved by voters when Delaney squeezed it through in an off election year referendem.......right? In the same slate offered to the voters was $190 Million Dollars for a new Courthouse.........right? So like I said, I did not approve $350 Million Dollars for a new Courthouse just because Judge Moran wanted new offices! If I remember right there was a proposal for an enclosed elevated walkway for the lawyers to transit from one government bldg to the new courthouse and that was shot down as "Too Costly" so where is the difference? I did not approve of either and if voting was allowed, the general public would more than not say NO! So may I ask just where in heck that money is going to come from? Federal Funds..........my tax dollars again! Local matching funds........my tax dollars one more time! It is past time for some fiscal common sense from government at any level don't you think?
Look...the project list was supplemental material to the sales tax question itself...now it may have played a role in how folks voted, but they weren't offcially voting for any projects.
That said, remember that the $350 million includes land acquisition, renovation of the old Federal Courthouse and space in the Ed Ball Building (not a bad thing), etc....the new building itself is $224 million (that's pretty close to the $190 million froim 10 years ago, inflation notwithstanfing).
btw...the elevated walkway has been approved and is included in the plans.
If the project list was not part of the referendum, why does City Council have to approve any changes to the project list? If it is just a list of "gee we might do these projects" why can't the Mayor or Public Works Director just swap projects around? We were voting for specific projects. That is why there were projects scattered all over town, and some that most people would not vote against - libraries, new ball park, etc.
I understand that the list was used to garner support....and as in many communities, a safeguard was put in place to ensure the projects listed got done.
But as you said, a change to the list can be made by City Councl...without public referendum.
Is it just me or did the Construction Updates seem to end? they used to be the first few days of the month then they started trailing through the month and now it seems they have stopped? even though i am in london now (maybe i should change my name from dub to ldn) i still enjoy seeing what is going on in Jax!
They're still around. The rollout depends on when I can free up enough time to take the images. This month's images were taken last weekend. They're scheduled to run this upcoming Monday.
oh good i cannot wait - i am in the office anxiously awaiting the update :) just didnt know if there was a decision to change it to bi-monthly or something so i didnt want to get my hopes up! thanks for the continued effort in updating everyone!