A Closer Look at the Transportation Center

[Charles Hunter]

Hells bells, they might as well bring in the house trailers.

I think that's in Phase 2! 

Ock, you've been there, do the tunnels go all the way out to the new main lines?  I was one of those folks that visited that visiting commuter rail car - and it seems like the new tracks are lower than the old level. Even thought I could see the end of the tunnel poking out of the embankment.

By the way, if you raise the Lee Street Viaduct, to allow trains underneath, you will cut across the view of the grand front of the Terminal (which is why Godbold cut it back, to give a view from downtown).

[thelakelander]

I would not worry about a grand view.  The Acosta Bridge ramps and skyway killed that.  Instead of preserving a not so grand view with no function, at the base, its better to design to make sure transportation works.

[thelakelander]

Ock, even using a traditional style doesn't have to be bland and boring.  This will be a gateway public structure.  It should be designed as one.



Nothing about this compliments the grand old architectural style of the terminal across the street.

[Charles Hunter]

Oh, lake, I concur, but I'd be willing to bet that "issue" would come up in opposition to Ock's Raise the Viaduct plan.  On a more transportation note, it could eliminate the connection to Water Street from the Lee Viaduct.  So, make Bay 2 ways, at least extend the 2-way another block from Lee to Davis.

[thelakelander]

My take on the viaduct, is that it was originally built the way it was for a reason.  That reason should be exposed and equally vetted along with the non-functional 80's idea of preserving a three block view corridor between the viaduct and the Acosta Bridge ramps.  Whichever one makes the transportation network more viable and efficient should win out.

[CS Foltz]

My take on the viaduct, is that it was originally built the way it was for a reason.  That reason should be exposed and equally vetted along with the non-functional 80's idea of preserving a three block view corridor between the viaduct and the Acosta Bridge ramps.  Whichever one makes the transportation network more viable and efficient should win out.

lake..........I agree! Particularly your last sentence "Whichever one makes the transportation network more viable and efficient should win out"!

[Dog Walker]

What blocks the view mostly is that godawful Federal Reserve fortress in front of it.  The Fed is moving out (fewer checks to process) and it's going to be another vacant deteriorating building downtown.

[fsujax]

The view looking straight down Water St to the front of the Terminal is one of the best views in the city. You can also see it from the corner of Hogan St and Water St pretty much unimpeded.

[CS Foltz]

Bulldoze the Fed Bldg............chances of it being used by someone else, nil!

[Captain Zissou]

It looks like a middle school.

[CS Foltz]

Captain Zissou............the more I look at it, the more I agree! No panache, no clean elements of design and it is not timeless and 5 years down range .....it will look like a Hokey Poky Dance Studio! This can not be the best that we can get for just a little money (60 Million for phase one) or is it! This allmost looks like something designed by committee rather than a single individual guiding things through! Infact this reminds me of the current Administration.........no vision and no plan!

[JaxNative68]

when did an RFP get put out for this design?

[tufsu1]

when did an RFP get put out for this design?

I believe this contract was given to one of JTA's General Consultants....the RFP for the GC contract was out several years ago.

[JaxNative68]

the design drawings I saw had RS&H's logo on them.  shouldn't this project be to large in value to be able to just hand it out?  After all, it is taxpayer dollars supporting it.

[tufsu1]

RS&H is one of their General Consultants....while it is common for large jobs to be bid separately from GC contracts, it is by no means required....remember that the GC contracts were advertised and as long as the max. value on them isn't exceeded, it should be ok.