Shipyards

[north miami]

I probably just missed it somewhere, but why not a marina for private recreational power and sailboats?  Boats make a waterfront more interesting.  The city marina is located on the narrowest segment of the river and suffers from the problem of strong tidal currents. The shipyard site has less current and more space.

Here's Gothenburg, Sweden's, city marina;

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/74/Lilla_Bommen_in_Gothenburg.jpg/800px-Lilla_Bommen_in_Gothenburg.jpg

It is surrounded by restaurants, shops, the opera, and is the origin point for sightseeing boats, and is the home of Sweden's largest sailing vessel (now a restaurant).  

Just a thought.

I have been employed in the Jacksonville pleasure boat industry since 1984, 'Jacksonvillemarinamile" was my brainchild (see www.jacksonvillemarinamile.com)

I would down play a marina concept.
The River City Marina is in a state of disrepair.Emphasis should be on existing facility.

Most importantly- we need boating and cruising DESTINATION,a place to go.

Again-the Shipyards property is too valuable,too distinctive for private vessel long term mooring or any other standard 'marina' or any typical commercial venture which would likely flop anyway.

[CS Foltz]

north miami...........you have very valid points and there is merit to what you have posted! I can understand your reservations and do agree that a marina type enviroment may not be the best use for the Ship Yards. Right now we are just discussing things and all viewpoints are welcomed! Since the City still does not have that property back into the City fold, all is speculation! I still think there is a back room deal that has been struck without taxpayer knowledge or consent! Time will tell!

[north miami]

north miami...........you have very valid points and there is merit to what you have posted! I can understand your reservations and do agree that a marina type enviroment may not be the best use for the Ship Yards. Right now we are just discussing things and all viewpoints are welcomed! Since the City still does not have that property back into the City fold, all is speculation! I still think there is a back room deal that has been struck without taxpayer knowledge or consent! Time will tell!

Most masterful CS Folz, indeed I have made a note of your possibly prophetic post on this thread of August 17,2010 4:21 PM.

-N.M.

[north miami]

I still wonder if there has not been a back room deal allready made! The reason being, neither Gaffney nor Redman have come forth with an amendment reserving that part for the public! A lack of interest from the Council bodes not well to me!

***

[JeffreyS]

How about akin to Pier 39, San Francisco?

Don't mean to be a negative nanny, but wouldnt that just be recreating the Landing at a spot 8 blocks down?

That does not have to be a negative. If you have too much competition in an area it can hurt existing retailers and restaurants etc. Until you get to the point where you have enough going on that it now attracts enough people to shop, visit, eat, do business and and live in the area to now support all of the businesses by achieving critical mass.

[simms3]

I know I've mentioned this before, but in Columbus there is a project underway to convert the now defunct City Center Mall to a park space that will eventually be converted to various uses. This seems like a good place to do the same thing. Create temporary park space which will later be developed.

Here's more info.

The Project:
The Columbus Commons takes 1.2 million square feet of dead urban space and turns it into 9 live acres of inviting green space with trees, flowers, grass and walking paths.
That’s the future for the central parcel of property upon which City Center once stood. This Capitol South property will continue in its proud tradition of creating a space that draws people inside. This time, instead of concrete walls, the community will be drawn inside the beautiful natural surroundings of the Columbus Commons.

Capitol South surgically dismantled the entire mall from September 2009 into mid 2010, at which time construction began on the creation of a community park with one-third of the entire site reserved for market-driven development.  By late fall 2010 park construction will be complete and the park will open in spring of 2011.
Over time, the spot will help support the development of walkable neighborhoods that integrate residential living with retail, office and entertainment space.

http://www.downtowncolumbus.com/progress/columbus-commons


Initial phase


Next step


Final Product

Rehash: great points Fallen Buckeye!  I agree that private developments should be phased in.  Shipyards is too isloated for a major public use like a convention center and right now is also too isolated for glitzy hotels and condos (will always be too isolated for office towers, I think).  I say there should be a private-public partnership to develope the shipyards in phases, starting with making at least the western half public park space to start off with, and then as the economy and things pick back up start rolling in the big guns/buildings.

[CS Foltz]

Gentlemen........... a phased developement make sense looking at this from a long range point of view! There is not enough private/public funding available to do much of anything! One small step at a time makes sense from a money stand point but there really should be an overall picture or vision. I am not sure that the Council would have that vision............maybe this is something that should be discussed with the Mayoral Candidates? They all should have some kind of idea...........granted this is only one issue, but I think should be included in all of their platforms!

[urbanlibertarian]

Several small developments would be preferable to one big one, IMO.  The big ones tend to be dependent on bank financing and take longer to design and permit.

[Noone]

UL, I agree. Several small developments would be preferable to one big one. and CS, I agree that this should be one of the biggest city council and Mayoral campaign issues. Not just on the 44 acres but also should the 680' Promised Downtown Public Pier be sparate.

Remember. We are getting this 44 acres back. Not skill, just dumb luck.

Right now there are numerous pending legislative actions that can insure that the people of Jacksonville get back the Promised Downtown Public Pier.

2010-604 the legislation that is paving the way for regaining full city control of the former Shipyards/Landmar will soon be voted on by our city council. With no amendments.

Downtown Vision has a boundry. The boundry stops at Berkman Plaza or Plaza at Berkman. Should legislation be introduced that would extend the boundry of Downtown Vision to include the 680' Promised Downtown Public Pier? I'd say yes