Mayor Questions Validity of JTA's Transportation Center

[Tacachale]

JTA's already getting the parcels between Adams and Houston. Even if Brown puts the brakes on the rest of the project, the Greyhound station's still going between Adams and Houston, over three blocks from the train tracks.

Stopping the rest of the project would be pointless if the Greyhound station isn't moved. Is there anything that can be done to that end? Also, we need to keep in mind that the Prime Osborne isn't actually up for grabs now; it's currently the convention center. And I for one am skeptical that they'll be moving the convention center out any time soon.

[Bativac]

What's the deal with the office building? Is that REEEALLY necessary?

Also doesn't it seem kind of ass backwards to have that many parking spaces at a public transportation center? Isn't the goal to use public transportation to get there?

Could the city perhaps find someplace to fit in the demolition of a few historic structures? I hear there are still a couple left downtown.

[copperfiend]

They need a better design.  It is horrible looking.

Dear JTA Transportation Center,

U-G-L-Y, you ain't got no alibi. You ugly!

[Ralph W]

JTA's already getting the parcels between Adams and Houston. Even if Brown puts the brakes on the rest of the project, the Greyhound station's still going between Adams and Houston, over three blocks from the train tracks.

Stopping the rest of the project would be pointless if the Greyhound station isn't moved. Is there anything that can be done to that end? Also, we need to keep in mind that the Prime Osborne isn't actually up for grabs now; it's currently the convention center. And I for one am skeptical that they'll be moving the convention center out any time soon.

Wouldn't that be up to Greyhound?

I mentioned that in a previous post when it was suggested that the folks over at Greyhound were spoon fed the reasons that would be the best location for a new bus terminal. My belief is that no competent operations manger would agree to a site without making his/her own on-site evaluation and looking at ALL the information, especially that of the MJ contributors.

Ock or the Lakelander posted back that the information was forwarded to Greyhound.

Just because JTA now has a remote parcel of land doesn't mean that Greyhound is locked in to the location. I sincerely hope their management is not on the same page as JTA.

[fsujax]

The office building is dead or at least pushed back indefinately. it is also important to remember that FDOT is the lead agency for this whole project. JTA is responsible for the Greyhound piece. Sometimes this gets lost with all the focus being on JTA.

[Tacachale]

Does JTA currently control any other adjacent land where Greyhound would potentially go? If not, we run the risk of them choosing to stay where they are.

[thelakelander]

JTA's already getting the parcels between Adams and Houston. Even if Brown puts the brakes on the rest of the project, the Greyhound station's still going between Adams and Houston, over three blocks from the train tracks.

Someone still has to magically come up with the money to build Greyhound's new terminal. 

Stopping the rest of the project would be pointless if the Greyhound station isn't moved. Is there anything that can be done to that end?

This thing is $180 million.  Greyhound or not, it would not be pointless to attempt to trim the overall costs to make this a financially viable project in addition to a more efficient one for the everyday user. 

If the office building is no longer a part of the plan, it still makes all the financial sense in the world to combine the local bus and BRT terminals, eliminate the structured parking and place those facilities around the existing skyway station and office building site.  That will leave the Greyhound building a block north of the rest of the facility but that block is an existing paved lot that can be used for parking for the terminals. 

Also, we need to keep in mind that the Prime Osborne isn't actually up for grabs now; it's currently the convention center. And I for one am skeptical that they'll be moving the convention center out any time soon.

I'm skeptical we'll get $180 million for a transit center.  For proof, I offer up +25 years of this thing being discussed by JTA and its still sitting on paper.  Nevertheless, regardless of what happens with the convention center, it seems like there is opportunity to reduce the costs and increase the efficiency.

[duvaldude08]

They need a better design.  It is horrible looking.

Dear JTA Transportation Center,

U-G-L-Y, you ain't got no alibi. You ugly!

Ha! Ha! you seen that movie too huh? LOL

[thelakelander]

Does JTA currently control any other adjacent land where Greyhound would potentially go? If not, we run the risk of them choosing to stay where they are.

I'm not sure that's even a bad thing.  The Greyhound block is about the only thing alive in that section of DT 24/7.  This is for another thread, but a fear of mine is the Greyhound block becoming another dead space or surface parking once they relocate.  The future of that property (and its impact on DT) is also something that should probably enter this JRTC discussion at some point or at least in JTA's official response to the Mayor's office.  Anyway, the JTA and the city own every parcel between I-95, Adams, Lee and Bay Street and their all dirt or surface parking.  Other communities have overcome more significant land ownership, design and urban contextual situations.  If JTA/Jacksonville really wants too, we can do the same much easier.

[Tacachale]

This thing is $180 million.  Greyhound or not, it would not be pointless to attempt to trim the overall costs to make this a financially viable project in addition to a more efficient one for the everyday user. 

If the office building is no longer a part of the plan, it still makes all the financial sense in the world to combine the local bus and BRT terminals, eliminate the structured parking and place those facilities around the existing skyway station and office building site.  That will leave the Greyhound building a block north of the rest of the facility but that block is an existing paved lot that can be used for parking for the terminals. 

I can agree that. Still, it would just be a waste for the Greyhound terminal to be so far north of everything else.

I'm skeptical we'll get $180 million for a transit center.  For proof, I offer up +25 years of this thing being discussed by JTA and its still sitting on paper.  Nevertheless, regardless of what happens with the convention center, it seems like there is opportunity to reduce the costs and increase the efficiency.

Good point, especially looking at the mayor's proposed budget.

[Lunican]

Great article. The JTA and FDOT concept looks like a carrier battle group invading other cities.



It makes no sense at all.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

hahaha, Lunican, you're right.  The aerial pictures looks like my normal setup for a game of battleship.

Always turn the destroyer 90 deg. to confuse your enemy.

[Jaxson]

I would like to know why we have to reinvent the wheel with a transportation center in Jacksonville...  IMHO, it is a waste of money for us to create new buildings from scratch when we could do a much better job integrating existing structures into the complex.  It seems like the JTA has misplaced priorities.

[duvaldude08]

Here are my thoughts, Operate Amtrack and Greyhound out of the Prime Osborn (which we own), and let them keep the land weve granted them for possiable commuter rail stations, street cars, Brt, etc. Completey stracth the other building all together and let the DOT be housed in a building already downtown. (this will also help fill up vacancies in DT)

[exnewsman]

JTA's Steve Arrington talking about why the JRTC was designed as it was. The story starts about 4:45 into the show, right after the land swap story for Greyhound. Interesting.

http://www.jtafla.com/vid/makingMoves/MakingMoves-July2011-web.wmv