San Marco By Design

[Monarch Ridge Hill]

So nice to see the word "infill" all over this article. Understanding the need for mixed used development doesn't always mean that the developers truly comprehend the concepts of sustainability. Can't wait to see what comes out of this.

[simms3]

Best little plan going on right now.  I don't know enough to make a full on claim, but at this point it seems to me that RAP and SPAR hold back development in Riverside/Avondale and Springfield.

Also, what is "the beach?"  There were several blurbs about this "beach" and a blurb about extending the Southbank riverwalk to this "beach."

I am very impressed and very hopeful.  Also, I have never had a parking problem in 5 Points.  I usually just park behind Firehouse in San Marco because parking there is not much better, if at all.

[dougskiles]

One thing that I noticed mentioned a lot was the Kings Ave garage.  There needs to be some sort of easy access from 95NB and back on to 95SB from this garage.  Currently it's nearly impossible to get to, especially for someone unfamiliar with the area.  Until that happens I think it will be very difficult to utilize in redeveloping the Kings Ave district.

The FDOT Overland Bridge project will solve that problem with the new interchange at Atlantic.  You will be able to go north on Kings Avenue from the interchange to the garage and back.

Whats the difference?  There is a desire for a district and consensus in the community surrounding it.

The key word is definitely consensus.  And that is what we are working very hard to achieve.  We realize that it doesn't matter how great these plans are if we don't have consensus in the community.

[dougskiles]

How about a very small floating dock at the little park along Lake Marco?

One of the main themes that kept coming up in all of the meetings is connectivity.  Between parks, between business centers, between neighborhoods, and between the rest of Jacksonville.  So, yes, a small floating dock is something that I would like to see along one of our riverfront parks.  Others have shared this desire, too, so I believe it will happen, eventually.  My hope is that we can create a 'blueway' that will connect our historic neighborhoods - Riverside, San Marco and Springfield (by way of Hogan's Creek).

Also, what is "the beach?"  There were several blurbs about this "beach" and a blurb about extending the Southbank riverwalk to this "beach."

Riverfront Park is the formal name - it's just north of Landon and has apartments on the east side.  Lots of fisherman.

[fieldafm]

For example, I was just in a meeting talking to someone about creating a pedestrian/bike loop that would start at the end of the riverwalk (River City Brewing) continue around Baptist Hospital, Nemours and then through San Marco on Cedar Street, to the Kings Avenue garage, around the old JEA Southside Generating Station property to the start of the riverwalk at the School Board.  The loop would be about 3 miles - perfect for a 5k race.

Great idea Doug!

[dougskiles]

I liked it too.  But I don't want to give the impression that the idea came from me.  I am mostly a coordinator in this project.  We have been fortunate to have the participation of many creative minds - and are looking for more - so if you have any ideas, send them to me.

[dougskiles]

The community workshop is this coming Saturday from 9:00 to 11:30 am.  All are welcome, you don't have to live or work in San Marco to participate.

[Tacachale]

Doug, will there be more meetings?

[dougskiles]

Yes - but they have not been planned yet.  The next step is for the city to assimilate the information into a draft code and bring it back to the neighborhood for review.

But we are always having informal meetings, so if you would like discuss it, please send me a PM.

[JBTripper]

Not sure how long this document has been published, but it's fairly new judging by the photos that show Hollingsworth in the old Peterbrooke facility.

Link: http://smpsjax.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/SMPS-Action-Plan-FINAL.pdf

Highlights include:
Shared-use path connecting Fuller-Warren (and Riverside) to Kings Avenue Station and The District along Nira
Proposed Skyway extension (at grade) at Atlantic Blvd, across from East San Marco
Proposed streetcar/trolley service connecting North San Marco to the JTA Skyway
Fishing pier and floating dock in Riverfront Park connecting to RAM via Water Taxi
Dog park along the east side of the railroad track, south of Atlantic Blvd.
Sensory park beneath I-95 at the Fuller-Warren
Redesign of LaSalle with "complete streets" infrastructure

A lot of this stuff is very "pie-in-the-sky," obviously, but given the momentum in North San Marco and the Downtown Southbank... I suppose anything is possible. It's certainly encouraging to see such a bold vision for the area immediately surrounding my house.