City looking at more two-way streets downtown

[uptowngirl]

^FDOT road.  Going two-way on that one is a much more difficult process because that road is not the city's.

I *heard* there was money available for this, but it had not been done.

[stjr]

Lake, Adams and Clay is still a full block to the entrance at the former Monroe and Clay.  A building like the Courthouse is sure to have more than its fair share of handicapped visitors and this will be an issue if its the only solution.

By the way, it's not as bad, but the Arena has the same issue with its extended front entry plaza.  I once had to drop someone off on crutches there and it was very strenuous to make it that far, especially if its raining. It doesn't help that the City closes off the front street during events as well.  Needed to clear a police line just to reach the plaza curb.

All buildings should have a doorway close to the curb for such drop offs.

[thelakelander]

How about adding a circular drop off that ties in with Clay Street?  It could be integrated into some sort of entry plaza in the middle of the green that could include fountains and outdoor seating areas.  This solution would get the physically challenged near the entrance without requiring spending extra money on a full block of road infrastructure.

[JaxByDefault]

^FDOT road.  Going two-way on that one is a much more difficult process because that road is not the city's.

I *heard* there was money available for this, but it had not been done.

I heard from someone with the city, that the city had received approval from FDOT to two-way Main St. between State and Union, but that the city did not want to spend money (about $100,000+, I believe) on redoing the signals at those intersections.

Even making Main two-way between State and Union would allow people to turn left from Union onto Main to head into Springfield. Of course, now, people have to do that weird jog around Ocean and Orange to head north.

[Jameson]

Heights Unknown, I am with you, make them all two-way. I know a lot of people who avoid Downtown because they get confused/frustrated with the traffic patterns and are scared of turning the wrong way down a one-way street after dinner and a few drinks.

Also, why does this "study" cost $200,000? Do we really need a study? Isn't there a better way to do this like maybe having some townhall style meetings with residents and downtown business leaders, sending out mailers/surveys, etc.? It just seems excessive and wasteful. Especially at a time when the city is having trouble with its budget.

[ChriswUfGator]

This is a positive step in the right direction. Speaking realistically ALL the streets downtown need to be put back to 2-ways. As Metro Jacksonville discovered when it wrote the series of articles on the destruction of our urban core, the "loop" systems of 1-way streets were only enacted to support the development of pedestrian shopping districts, elevated walkways, etc., none of which ever came into existence. There is no reason whatsoever for this bungled system to remain. It confuses visitors and stifles business development.

[videojon]

Heights Unknown, I am with you, make them all two-way. I know a lot of people who avoid Downtown because they get confused/frustrated with the traffic patterns and are scared of turning the wrong way down a one-way street after dinner and a few drinks.

OK everybody, we need to keep this in perspective. We act as if this is a Jacksonville problem. There are many successful big cities with an abundance of one way streets. The reason why downtown currently isn't successful IS NOT because people want to avoid one-way streets.

[JeffreyS]

^It is one reason however. No one is touting this as a cure all just an improvement.

[uptowngirl]

^It is one reason however. No one is touting this as a cure all just an improvement.

Agree, and in some cases it is a large one, such as Main, State, and Union. These streets are used to get people THROUGH town, not into town. That is a big killer.

[ChriswUfGator]

Heights Unknown, I am with you, make them all two-way. I know a lot of people who avoid Downtown because they get confused/frustrated with the traffic patterns and are scared of turning the wrong way down a one-way street after dinner and a few drinks.

OK everybody, we need to keep this in perspective. We act as if this is a Jacksonville problem. There are many successful big cities with an abundance of one way streets. The reason why downtown currently isn't successful IS NOT because people want to avoid one-way streets.

We have this well in perspective, and the 1-ways are definitely not helping things down there.

[tufsu1]

We have this well in perspective, and the 1-ways are definitely not helping things down there.

from a development and urban livability perspective, you are correct...but the folks interested in moving traffic (or as they like to call it, "commerce") would disgaree

[CS Foltz]

We have this well in perspective, and the 1-ways are definitely not helping things down there.

from a development and urban livability perspective, you are correct...but the folks interested in moving traffic (or as they like to call it, "commerce") would disgaree

tufsu If BRT is going in downtown as supposed, what commerce are you refering to? With no parking on street available where would a possible customer park at?

[JeffreyS]

^ Commerce outside of downtown.

[rainfrog]

from a development and urban livability perspective, you are correct...but the folks interested in moving traffic (or as they like to call it, "commerce") would disgaree

tufsu If BRT is going in downtown as supposed, what commerce are you refering to? With no parking on street available where would a possible customer park at?

Duh! They would take the BRT!

[tufsu1]

the term "commerce" in this case means freight and goods being moved....I'm not saying that downtown is the place to be worrying about moving traffic....but State & Union might qualify given that they connect I-95 with the Mathews Bridge