Chick-Fil-A and Public Improvements Coming to Southbank

[JaxNative68]

do any of these streetscape plans deal with getting around the trains that block the ability to get on campus several times a day?

[Charles Hunter]

Trebuchets.

[thelakelander]

do any of these streetscape plans deal with getting around the trains that block the ability to get on campus several times a day?

No.  However, it would be nice if some sort of public/private partnership could be established to connect the campus with the nearest skyway station via a pedestrian overpass over the tracks and Acosta Bridge.

[Overstreet]

.....do any of these streetscape plans deal with getting around the trains that block the ability to get on campus several times a day?....

Not for the $100k or $15k mentioned.

[stjr]

The $$$$ for the street improvements and some other pieces mentioned here sound quite low for the project descriptions provided.

Here is just one example:

Estimated annual operating cost for the parking lot is $69,600 and for the provision of the shuttle service is $25,000.

200 parking spaces x 250 weekday (allowance for some holidays) workdays/year = 52,000 parking days.  $69,600/52,000 days = $1.34/day!  In a garage for 8+ hours?  Is JTA this desperate?  That doesn't even pay for turning on the lights.

And, $25,000 for a shuttle?  If it runs 10 hours a day x 250 days a year, that is 2,500 hours.  You are telling me you can pay a driver, depreciate and maintain a shuttle bus, and pay for gas and insurance for all of $10/hour?  I don't think so.

These numbers are far lower if weekends and holidays are to also be covered and if the shuttle runs beyond 10 hours, which I would imagine it might.

What gives? 

P.S.  I mentioned this once before, Baptist should reconsider the 4 story building when that day comes.  Given the land squeeze they have, they need to build higher in my opinion.

[Overstreet]

.........And, $25,000 for a shuttle?  If it runs 10 hours a day x 250 days a year, that is 2,500 hours.  You are telling me you can pay a driver, depreciate and maintain a shuttle bus, and pay for gas and insurance for all of $10/hour?  I don't think so...........

The problem with looking at things is one has to make assumptions in the lack of real detailed information. For example, you assume this is an additional shuttle and not a partial time/milage addition to existing routes. There are three shuttles already in operation.

You assume that it runs 10 hours a day. They don't. They run during shift changes only. 

I couldn't run it for that but they have their ways and press releases always sound sunny.

[stjr]

The problem with looking at things is one has to make assumptions in the lack of real detailed information. For example, you assume this is an additional shuttle and not a partial time/milage addition to existing routes. There are three shuttles already in operation.

You assume that it runs 10 hours a day. They don't. They run during shift changes only. 

I couldn't run it for that but they have their ways and press releases always sound sunny.

Interesting points, Overstreet. Still, $25,000 seems awfully cheap.  I would imagine they would have to have a system to deliver/pickup employees to their cars at anytime but maybe they run a will-call service for that.  It's still a cost and a driver, but maybe it serves all their lots at once.

If they run 24 hour shifts for many of these employees, that does add another dimension.  But, maybe the late nighters park on the property.

Care to offer any other explanation for the bargain parking lot garage rates?

[tufsu1]

Baptist already runs a shuttle...the $25,000 is likely the extra to extend the service over to Kings Ave garage.

[Seraphs]

What's the projected finish date of this project?

[thelakelander]

Chick-fil-A coming soon to Jacksonville's Southbank

Submitted by Gary Mills on June 28, 2010 - 3:00pm

Office and hospital workers on Jacksonville's Southbank soon will have a new spot to grab a quick lunch.

Chick-fil-A is set to open in the coming weeks in the 800 block of Prudential Drive near the Baptist Women's Pavilion at the Baptist Health complex. A corporate spokeswoman said the restaurant is slated to open in August.

The fast-food chicken restaurant will be accessible from both inside the medical building and from the street.  

A recent peek inside shows a smaller space than a typical standalone Chick-fil-A, this one having around 30 tables and seating for at least 60.

The menu will be smaller, too, offering fewer items than the nearly 50 on a typical menu that includes breakfast items, salads and wraps in addition to the core chicken offerings, the spokeswoman said.

The Southbank eatery will be a licensed location similar to those Chick-fil-A outlets on college campuses and other hospitals, including one at Shands in Gainesville.

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/423471/gary-mills/2010-06-28/chick-fil-coming-soon-jacksonvilles-southbank

[floridaforester]

It is fitting that Baptist would choose to partner with such an over-the-top, let's shove our religious beliefs down your throat corporation as Chick-fil-A.  The last time I had the pleasure of dining there, I couldn't get over the selection of songs of praise & worship that everyone was forced to listen to.  I guess that godless secular music just isn't acceptable in one of these holy restaurants.

Just don't go looking for a chicken sandwich if you happen to be visiting a patient there on a sunday.

[fsujax]

^^Good Lord....Well, then DONT eat there! It seems their business model works very well, even being closed on Sunday's doesnt hurt their bottom line.

[danno]

^^Good Lord....Well, then DONT eat there! It seems their business model works very well, even being closed on Sunday's doesnt hurt their bottom line.

+1

[Joe]

This anti-Chick-fil-a stuff is crazy.

I'm not christian and I freaking love Chick-fil-a. I wish they were open on Sunday, but that's life. I can either deal with it or go to Zaxby's.

(By the way, I'm not Hindu or Sikh either, yet I absolutely love the area's Indian restaurants despite them "shoving their religious beliefs down my throat" with their dining rooms full of religious decorations and their refusal to serve beef on religious grounds.)

[billy]

I stopped at a Chick Fil A in Perry on the way back to Atlanta.
I try to avoid fast food generally, but that limits your ability to eat along I-75.
There was a Mennonite/Amish family, three generations, Gingham long dresses and bonnets,
it was like a cast party for Witness dining at Chick-Fil-A.
If that's not a ringing endorsement when people who live like some past century eat your stuff...

I understand all the chickens used have accepted Christ as their personal saviour....