What To Do With The Shipyards?

[ralpho37]

Not a fan of the park idea either.  This is a perfect place for our new convention center.

Yeah, I know the economy's bad, but it won't be bad forever.  And since it will take forever to build something like a convention center there, we may as well start on it now.  By the time it's done we should be in a better economic state.

[BridgeTroll]

It is a horrible place for a convention center... Might as well leave it at the Prime O.

[904Scars]

It is a horrible place for a convention center... Might as well leave it at the Prime O.

Agreed, still no hotels no restaurants... the only thing going for them down there are the Bay St bars, haha. Not to change subject but no matter where the convention center is placed it needs to be around other things to do. At first I was against the park idea, however I now agree that a temporary green space is better than nothing, at least until somebody has a great idea and a great amount of cash.

[CS Foltz]

Shipyards is not big enough for a Convention Center..........old Court House and Annex combined is! Ship Yards need to be developed for the public use  or a combination of public/private enterprise! I would like to point out that they don't make anymore water front property so we need to use it with a long range point of view!

[Captain Zissou]

The Hart Bridge viaducts kills any possibility of that area ever really being that vibrant, so I say they should maximize private development whether residential or commercial while maintaining public accessibility to the river/riverwalk.  Also, I wish they'd build some sort of office building on the parking lot fronting Bay in front of the jail to completely block its view.

For now, I say mow the grass, remove any hazards, extend the riverwalk with a clay or gravel path, and improve the area around the creek.

[Jason]

What would be wrong with making it a passive green space?  A simple grass lot with a few trashcans and a completed riverwalk would be done on the cheap and would allow the property to at least be used until it can be developed.  One perk would be to include the original peir in the reverwalk portion making it available for fishing or relaxing.  Don't need structures or other maintenance intensive components.  Just grass seed, a dirt lot for some parking, and an expanded riverwalk/peir (which is going to be done anyways).  I'm sure some money could be pulled from the Metro Park plans....

[Captain Zissou]

Doesn't Jax have like an 'Arbor Alliance' or something??  Could they plant a couple trees along the riverwalk so it's not a total desert?  Nothing huge, just something pleasant during the interim.  I say a few benches, a few trashcans, a couple trees, and a clean grassy area would be great.

[north miami]

The Hart Bridge viaducts kills any possibility of that area ever really being that vibrant

No,I respectfully disagree.
I have spent many hours next door to the property during boat show events and other format and have pondered the property.
It beckons as Urban Open Space.

[buckethead]

I like those last two ideas.

I went to the last Jags game and parked at the courthouse to benefit from the free parking there. I walked along the river up to Berkman Plaza II where the riverwalk ends. Then by the beautiful jailhouse to my left and a 6' chain link fence to my right. If not for the lovely smell of roasting coffee beans, it would have felt like a death march.

If the city owns the shipyard properties, then why do the people of Jacksonville not have access to those spaces?

It doesn't require a fortune spent to make those piers an enjoyable space.  

Take down the fences.

Mow the grass.

Catch a fish.

[north miami]

Park in the shade under the viaduct............

[buckethead]

I must say that I did appreciate the viaduct for that particular walk. The rain was relentless.

[904Scars]

The question is who do we email/mail/call about this getting underway and how many of us will it take to get any sort of ball moving on this possible passive green space?

[Coolyfett]

The current economy will not support hotels, restaurants and high-rises of any kind.

I agree with creating temporary green space including extending the Riverwalk through the entire site to Metro Park.  A continuous Riverwalk from the Hart Bridge to Five Points would be a big draw for recreational joggers and marathons.   

No no temp stuff, and no stupid park. Jeez Jax! If they cant make a power move, leave it alone. No more small fry decisions for Northbank....but that stuff out in the burbs.

[Seraphs]

The current economy will not support hotels, restaurants and high-rises of any kind.

I agree with creating temporary green space including extending the Riverwalk through the entire site to Metro Park.  A continuous Riverwalk from the Hart Bridge to Five Points would be a big draw for recreational joggers and marathons.   

No no temp stuff, and no stupid park. Jeez Jax! If they cant make a power move, leave it alone. No more small fry decisions for Northbank....but that stuff out in the burbs.

Coolyfett, Question-Yes or no, usable greenspace nice urban park or present blight?

[thelakelander]

The current economy will not support hotels, restaurants and high-rises of any kind.

I agree with creating temporary green space including extending the Riverwalk through the entire site to Metro Park.  A continuous Riverwalk from the Hart Bridge to Five Points would be a big draw for recreational joggers and marathons.   

No no temp stuff, and no stupid park. Jeez Jax! If they cant make a power move, leave it alone. No more small fry decisions for Northbank....but that stuff out in the burbs.

What Columbus is doing is a power move and a strong one at that.  That project is a redevelopment project that will be centered around an urban park.  Regardless of market conditions, they've moved forward on constructing that central permanent park.  However, they have left parcels for private development without specifying what the private development will be.  As time goes on, the free market may decide what the highest and best uses for the adjacent parcels will be.  This flexibility leaves room for the mix of uses you mention and more while allowing the public to benefit from the site short and long term.


Left: permanent public space at center and future mixed use development sites as temp greenspace surrounding the park.  Right: permanent urban park with a mix of urban uses surrounding it.