Southbank Riverwalk Plan Unveiled

[urbaknight]

So is this a done deal or does the city need funding still??  I hope they create some innovative designs instead of copying other existing designs.

the funding was set aside last summer...split between this ($15 million), the fountain (approx. $3 million), and Met Park (approx. $4 million)

Nothing's ever a "done deal" in Jacksonville until it's completely completed to the very end.

[Bativac]

So is this a done deal or does the city need funding still??  I hope they create some innovative designs instead of copying other existing designs.

the funding was set aside last summer...split between this ($15 million), the fountain (approx. $3 million), and Met Park (approx. $4 million)

Nothing's ever a "done deal" in Jacksonville until it's completely completed to the very end.

Exactly. Funding set aside or not. I'm waiting 'til the citizens of Jax hear tell that fifteen million of their tax dollars are being used to improve the Riverwalk. Dump it back into the general fund!

Plus I recall the original Southbank Riverwalk plans being far grander than what we ended up with...

[tufsu1]

Plus I recall the original Southbank Riverwalk plans being far grander than what we ended up with...

true..and I would expect the same to happen here...the sketches are just that....actual design and procurement will decide what can be built for the budget.

[hightowerlover]

im excited about that lookout tower it's like our own white trash eiffel tower

[fsujax]

I dont suspect there will be any loookout tower.

[iMarvin]

Apparently, there will be a pergola added to Friendship Fountain park to provide shade and seats under it for a front row view.

[dougskiles]

Exactly. Funding set aside or not. I'm waiting 'til the citizens of Jax hear tell that fifteen million of their tax dollars are being used to improve the Riverwalk. Dump it back into the general fund!

Yes - those cries will be heard for sure.  What they don't realize is that these are capital improvement funds and cannot be used for the general operating fund.

I am a big fan of Chris Flagg's work and if I thought an ocean/beach theme was the best choice for a downtown park, I would think that he did a very good job.  But...  I don't like the ocean/beach theme for downtown.  The patterns on the pavement remind me too much of the Seawalk in Jacksonville Beach.

Nautical yes, but perhaps more toward the maritime/naval theme.  Perhaps even some railroad elements?  Or something to connect to the history of the southbank and the City of South Jacksonville.

[Bativac]

Exactly. Funding set aside or not. I'm waiting 'til the citizens of Jax hear tell that fifteen million of their tax dollars are being used to improve the Riverwalk. Dump it back into the general fund!

Yes - those cries will be heard for sure.  What they don't realize is that these are capital improvement funds and cannot be used for the general operating fund.

I am a big fan of Chris Flagg's work and if I thought an ocean/beach theme was the best choice for a downtown park, I would think that he did a very good job.  But...  I don't like the ocean/beach theme for downtown.  The patterns on the pavement remind me too much of the Seawalk in Jacksonville Beach.

Nautical yes, but perhaps more toward the maritime/naval theme.  Perhaps even some railroad elements?  Or something to connect to the history of the southbank and the City of South Jacksonville.

I agree. Frankly, aside from the awnings (that will surely wear out and be done away with after a couple years... if they ever go up in the first place) and the amphitheater and everything else, I'd love to just have the deadly dangerous "rotting wood" feature of the current Riverwalk to be replaced with brick or concrete or something less likely to break the fragile ankles of our beloved councilmen. That and I'd like it to extend further past that Escape From New York setpiece. Can we not drape a gigantic tarp over that thing?

[thelakelander]

I'd like to see more focus on improving the riverwalk's access with the Main Street Bridge and Riverplace Drive.  In the future, I would also like to see a cafe added to MOSH, that would face and open up into the Friendship Fountain area.  As for the fabric awnings, they can be replaced with shade trees, imo.

[jcjohnpaint]

Yeah I went for a walk on the SB river walk the other day and aside from my fear of being stuck by a splinter the size of a broadsword, I really do feel the walk needs better access points to the Main Street Bridge with proper lighting etc.  I feel that overall the Main St Bridge is a wonderful centerpiece of both river walks and entry to the city.

[dougskiles]

I would like to see the Main Street Bridge closed for pedestrians on weekends...

[tufsu1]

I would like to see the Main Street Bridge closed for pedestrians on weekends...

they could actually close one lane all the time for bikes and then leave the sidewalks for pedestrians...I would reduce the bridge to 2 travel lanes (1 in each direction) with a middle lane that could be reversed in the AM and PM peak hours.

[acme54321]

I would like to see the Main Street Bridge closed for pedestrians on weekends...

they could actually close one lane all the time for bikes and then leave the sidewalks for pedestrians...I would reduce the bridge to 2 travel lanes (1 in each direction) with a middle lane that could be reversed in the AM and PM peak hours.

Yes the lack of a safe transit for bikes across the river is a big problem with DT if you ask me.  I think possibly widening at least one of the existing walkways would definitely help.  I believe they are cantilevered off of the bridge and I would assume that they could be made larger.  I don't know if closing lanes would be the best thing to do.  If/when the core comes back all travel lanes of that bridge will probably be needed.

[tufsu1]

I don't know if closing lanes would be the best thing to do.  If/when the core comes back all travel lanes of that bridge will probably be needed.

there is more than enough bridge capacity on the Acosta...plus, in the peak hours you would still have 2 lanes on the Main St bridge in/out of downtown....imagine a lane reserved for bikes or a lane reserved for transit (like streetcar)....plus the remaining lanes could be widened slightly, which would make them safer.

[Noone]

So is this a done deal or does the city need funding still??  I hope they create some innovative designs instead of copying other existing designs.

the funding was set aside last summer...split between this ($15 million), the fountain (approx. $3 million), and Met Park (approx. $4 million)

Nothing's ever a "done deal" in Jacksonville until it's completely completed to the very end.

A part of the funding is the River Accord. I was on the barge on the Southbank when it was signed and replacing the wood with pavers was a highlighted amenity. Did anyone reach out to the residents of the Peninsula? Just curious. I'd also be concerned about the active access component to the river as to the passive access component.