New transportation center planned for downtown Jacksonville

[ralpho37]

You know, it might be worth considering NOT placing a commuter rail station on the Southbank.  If the only downtown station was at the Prime Osborn Center, it would promote ridership on the Skyway. 

[stjr]

You know, it might be worth considering NOT placing a commuter rail station on the Southbank.  If the only downtown station was at the Prime Osborn Center, it would promote ridership on the Skyway. 

No, it would promote NOT taking commuter rail if the $ky-high-way is made a part of its intermodal chain.

[thelakelander]

The funny thing is, according to the study Gannett Fleming did last year, a Southbank commuter rail station would attract more use than one at the transportation center.  Probably because it would be within a block of Baptist Medical, Prudential and Aetna.

[stjr]

The funny thing is, according to the study Gannett Fleming did last year, a Southbank commuter rail station would attract more use than one at the transportation center.  Probably because it would be within a block of Baptist Medical, Prudential and Aetna.

And, add Interline.  Steinmart, Riverplace/Wachovia Tower, and all the Southbank hotels, condos, and a few restaurants would be just another few walkable blocks.  A looping street car through the Southbank and San Marco would seal the deal.

[thelakelander]

A streetcar won't work because you can't get it over the railroad tracks or across the river.  That leaves you with the skyway, as your best option, if your goal is to connect San Marco with high frequency transit not impacted by freight train schedules.

[CS Foltz]

Gentlemen...............we are busy trying to make chicken soup out of chicken s***! Nothing has been planned for this kind of conglomeration from the beginning and we are busy trying to make sense of it. I don't think that this layout is optimal nor is it user friendly.......just makes it easier for big brother to watch over! Gee I wonder what kind of "FEE" Mayor Johnny will come up with to fund this fiasco! I mean we are building a white elephant Court House that we will have to cough up $350 Million dollars for (anyone want to take a bet that it will run over?) just because Judge Moran wants a new office and Johnny can't run the City like a business. Whopee....can't wait till the next shoe drops!

[tufsu1]

whether you like the plan or not, you can't honestly say that "nothing has been planned..."

As for the courthouse, maybe you should read the article in today's paper....Angela Corey is asking for a bridge and Judge Moran ius saying no.

[ralpho37]

stjr:  I'm a little lost, explain to me how implementing the Skyway would deter riders.

[brainstormer]

yes, tufsu1, hop on over to the "bridge vs. dome" thread and have at it.  There is no way you can win an argument in support of Judge Moran and his influence over the $350 million dollar project.  Are you really that gullible?  I doubt it, because you come across as a pretty intelligent guy when you post.  You just have to be more skeptical.  There is always an angle with these folks.  They can't be trusted so easily.

[CS Foltz]

brainstormer.........I'm with you! tufsu1 can say what he wants, I won't tell him he can't.....but to go from 190 Million which was the original voter approved scenerio to the current 350 Million white elephant (I still say it will be more .....any takers?) and people wonder why no one trusts Government? I don't trust Judge Moran any further than I can throw him down the road...............and Mayor Johnny went right along! Gee it is too bad he won't be paying for it!

[tufsu1]

Brainstormer...believe it or not, I am quite skeptical and very aware of the GOB network....I just get bit annoyed at how some on this site always jump to conclusions with little factual information.

CS...Mayor Johnny is likely paying more for it than you are.

[CS Foltz]

Well tufsu1......leme paint a picture for ya.....Prime Osburn Center! Railroad Square Inc bought it from the railroads then sold it to the Jacksonville Convention Center Joint Venture for $3.9 Million. The Venture Group then sold to the City for $5.8 Million (Note profit of $1.5 Million) That's money the City could have saved dealing directly with the railroads. But the real kicker was that the Venture Group was handed the contract to convert the terminal into a Convention Center without public bids as required by Law! The project was over Budget, late and had leakage problems that did damage to the insides! All of this information is out there .....you just have to find it..........but I vear off subject.....The New Transportation Center is going too be a picture image of the same scenario with the only difference Eminent Domain being used to  acquire about 3 square blocks and JTA can not afford to spend much money on what is being proposed so they must have an alternate plan probably based on new "Fee's". Better Jacksonville had the Courthouse cost's locked in and voter approved at $190 Million and current cost is projected at $350...........I say it will be doubled in reality! I would also say that there will be no Audit to verify just what the total cost will come out to! Now you can call whatever but the handwriting has been there for all to see for a number of years.........GOB Network is hard at work lining their pockets with my money and I am getting tired of it!

[tufsu1]

well CS...let me lay these three things out for you

1. I don't really care what happened 20 years ago....we need to respect history (otherwise doomed to repeat it), but it has nothing to do with the current administration or my tax dollars today.

2. JTA isn't funding the transportation center....it was/is to be funded with FDOT transit money...unfortunately, project costs around he state have risen and revenues have gone down so the money isn't in the 5-year work program....the only thing that changes this is the potential for federal stimulus money through the TIGER grant program

3. As stated above, project costs all over the state (and country) go up...this is especially true for a courthouse that had a placeholder number in the BJP even though no design work had been done.....that said, the contractor agreed to a maximum upset limit that won't have the total costs coming in at more than $350 million....I would say to you that there is 0% chance that the project would cost $700 million

[stjr]

stjr:  I'm a little lost, explain to me how implementing the Skyway would deter riders.

Ralph, see the numerous $ky-high-way threads under this Forum ("Transportation, Mass Transit, and Infrastructure") at the MJ tab "Forums".  The easiest way to find the biggest threads is to open the Forum, click on the "Views" column twice (the first will list threads from least to greatest, the second, from greatest to least).  You will see the threads discussing the $ky-high-way appearing frequently in the most viewed threads.  If you still  need me to provide links, just repost and I will get them for you. 

If I explain it to you here, there will be an instant 100 posts or more rehashing the whole subject over the next few months.    Happy reading!

[CS Foltz]

Well tufsu1 unless the citizens take heed, history will repeat itself. FDOT transit money comes from the public does it not? I mean that is our money at work unless FDOT has a money tree in its backyard! Let me fill you in on the CURRENT ADMINISTRATION: Super Bowl Host Committee promised the city's financial risk would not exceed the budgeted $8.3 Million Dollars! In the end the city spent $11 Million Dollars but no one seems to know where the money went.....The Host Committee declined to make expense records and invoices available to the Council Auditor. I still have not figured out just why we had to pay anything  much less $8.3 Million Dollars. How many Millions was spent on the "Shipyards" and I might add......nothing to show for it! How about contracts awarded to company's not qualified to get awarded those contracts(Scott Teagle) or how about sole-source purchases made without legally required public bids (don't have enough time to list all of those occurrences) All I know is you can go back 40 years from today...........business as usual, GOB Network hard at it lining their pockets......I plan on doing my part, no incumbent to be reelected unless they have proven beyond doubt they represent the people who voted them into office. I can't wait for the current Administration to leave but I have to!