Salvaging The Big Idea I: Kids Kampus & Flex Space

[Metro Jacksonville]

Salvaging The Big Idea I: Kids Kampus & Flex Space



A year ago, the Big Idea was publicly announced and went down with a big thud in the eyes of most urban oriented downtown advocates.  Although the plan presented was pretty horrible in terms of urban integration and unrealistic implementation, many of the basic concepts, such as creating flex-space and revitalizing Friendship Fountain area, are actually valid concerns.  In this installment, Metro Jacksonville will attempt to show how we can incorporate  flex greenspace  within the existing urban landscape.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/379

[Jaxopolitan]

I don't know what stadium complex is featured in the aerial photos posted above, but it is certainly not Jacksonville.

How are the baseball ground on the opposite side of the arena? Where is the retention pond and the news station building?

Where is the attention to detail?

[thelakelander]

It's definately ours.  The arena, baseball grounds, retention ponds and all are present.  In fact, the aerial was taken from www.COJ.net.

[Jaxopolitan]

I apologize - I know see what happened. Veterans Memorial Arena is mis-labeled and threw off my whole compass. It's actually the building the the left of the baseball grounds, partially cropped off the page.

[Steve]

That IS the Veteran's Memorial.  When the coliseum was demolished, they left the wall and turned it into a park.

[thelakelander]

Yes, that's the isolated Veteran's Memorial....Wall.   The arena was never labled.

This link to DVI's site, will take you to a labled map showing the existing amenities in the Sport's District.

http://www.downtownjacksonville.org/content/?page_id=42#

[Steve]

Despite the comments of the geographically challenged above, this was a great look at what the sports complex could be, with some vision.

[Jason]

Excellent article.  The simplicity of it is astonishing.  Stack the parking and use the leftovers for "flex space".  Let's hope the Mayor will take some of the ideas to the drawing board and see how they can be implemented.

[Fred]

You'd meet a lot of resistance from fans with this plan.  A parking garage would destroy the tailgating culture at football games.

[thelakelander]

Unfortunately, even with this plan, there would still be massive parking lots left all over the area for tailgaters.  Also, the actual flex "green" space itself could be designed to be a tailgator's paradise on Sundays and a vibrant park, the rest of the year.  Nevertheless, there's a strong argument to be made that downtown (including the Sport's District) should be designed for everyday use and not only for special events that happen a few times a year, while the tumbleweed blows around for the remaining months.

[Lunican]

The reason people "tailgate" is because of the simple fact that there is absolutely nothing else to do around the stadium while you are waiting for the game to start.  I think the experience would be improved by replacing the tailgates with restaurants, bars, and other attractions. Hanging out in a parking lot really isn't all that great. It's just a makeshift substitute for real entertainment.

You are probably right though Fred. People that don't fully understand the vision would oppose it.

[Damon]

The Arena District in Columbus, OH is an incredibly efficient and well-designed area. The only downside to the area is the weather.

[JJ]

The proposed parking garage sits right on top of where the Jaguars players, coaches and execs park. It is a gated lot not available to the public.

[thelakelander]

This must be new, because it wasn't gated when the pictures were taken a few weeks ago.  Nevertheless, that area is surface parking lot galore.   There's multiple options available for going vertical with a parking garage in the sports district.  Don't get caught up in the graphic, look at the concept.  

The most important aspect of this entire article is using the massive lot, just north of Kids Kampus for flex green space.  Now that's just as realistic as picking up Kids Kampus, floating it downriver and jamming it into Friendship Fountain, which is the plan currently on the table.

[John]

I can't imagine it would be very difficult to relocate where the Jaguars players park. That's not a deal breaker in the least. It's not even worth mentioning actually.