The Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center

[Metro Jacksonville]

The Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center



On January 10, 2008, the FDOT hosted a public hearing to showcase their plans for a new $147.65 million transportation hub.    

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/691

[copperfiend]

This is a step in the right direction but I am not crazy about the layout. It seems a little spread out to me. We have the oppurtunity to build something that the people of Jacksonville will use for many years. Let's do it right.

[zoo]

I agree. The design still has such a "sprawl" mentality behind it. People around here need to think in the 3rd dimension -- vertical.

[billy]

Maybe they should shuck the Convention Center behind the original Beaux Arts terminal,
and use the footprint of the exhibit halls for as much of the JTA or Greyhound facilities
as possible, or shift the Amtrack layout.

Someday soon build a decent convention facility at Commodore Point and extend the Futurama train to the new site.

[thelakelander]

This city confuses me sometimes. 

The solutions for the courthouse, transportation center and convention center are all linked, in my opinion.

1. Construct new courthouse on intended moonscape on Adams Street. 

This moves the courthouse off the river, eliminates an urban eyesore and anchors the movement of government facilities near Hemming Plaza.

2. Construct new convention center facility on city hall annex/existing county courthouse site

This move would allow for the construction of a modern convention center facility in a centralized location with a convention center hotel (Hyatt) and entertainment options (Bay Street/Landing/Riverwalk) already in place.  It also rids the Northbank of an eyesore (the courthouse parking lot).

3. Convert the Prime Osborn property into the transportation center. 

There's enough space to do this, plus use a portion of the old terminal for some sort of transportation museum or a relocated MOSH.  This also returns the site back to its original use.

4. Sell/lease excess blocks north of Bay Street for private development

The land earmarked for this sprawling transportation center could be used for private infill development, such as affordable infill urban housing.  This will result in growing the downtown residential base (creates a market for retail infill) and a profit source for JTA to help pay for the operations and maintenance costs of transit systems, such as urban commuter rail or streetcars.

This four step process would result in solving the problems of several issues hampering the city and enhance the vibrancy of downtown by clusting complementing development together for a chance.

[billy]

One aspect of a convention center relocation is going to be the ability to expand in the future. A preferable, central location (like the Courthouse Parking Lot) is going to ultimately mean a cap on the square footage of the exhbition space.

That may not be a bad thing, since you will never match the size  and scale of certain venues.

[thelakelander]

If the convention center is constructed to allow for vertical expansion, then it could be doubled in size when the time comes.

[copperfiend]

This city confuses me sometimes. 

Sometimes? It confuses me most of the time.

[JeffreyS]

Lake that looks like a letter to the Editor to me. Keep it short and the TU will print it.

[raheem942]

well it have my aprovle

[Steve]

This is nuts - this is not a transportation center - this is a series of independent transportation facilities connected via a series of skywalkks.

[Jason]

The major plus side is that these proposed facilities are much less spread out than they currently are.  Blocks apart instead of miles.  I HAVE to look at the positives.... but I'm still not crazy about the layout.

BTW, does anyone know what "Phase 1" entails?

[Lunican]

At least they are not tearing down the Prime Osborne. Kind of amazing actually.

[thelakelander]

The major plus side is that these proposed facilities are much less spread out than they currently are.  Blocks apart instead of miles.  I HAVE to look at the positives.... but I'm still not crazy about the layout.

BTW, does anyone know what "Phase 1" entails?

Phase 1 is the Skyway and Transportation management office blocks between Bay and Forsyth Streets.  There's no official date for the breaking ground or completion of the additional phases.

[Webini]

What will the changes to that skyway station include, a parking lot?