A Public Square for San Marco

[Captain Zissou]

Since there's already going to be a great call of work on the area, why not also close Balis Steet and make San Marco eastbound only to Hendricks?  Would be smoother flow than the proposal, and allow the district to extend the green area a little more.

and how would you propose people go west?

I'm assuming they would take Hendricks up to Atlantic and turn west.  After mulling it over, it's not crazy, but I don't think it will fly.

[tufsu1]

having run some traffic models for the square, it would add significant delay for westbound travelers as well as those travelling north on Hendricks (for 2 blocks)...and while delay might not be a bad thing, one of the selling points on this happening so quickly was that it actually reduced travel time.

[dougskiles]

Another reason to keep Balis open is that it provides better access to the shops on the north side of Square.  Without which, we wouldn't have received their support and assistance to make this project happen.

Glad to see the ideas, though.

[thelakelander]

Update....

After streetscape, park renovation, San Marco Square 'will be amazing'

By Beth Reese Cravey

Sometime in May expect to hear loud hosannas from San Marco Square.

Ground was broken Friday on an $80,000 donor-funded renovation of Balis Park, which, with its signature white bandstand and three bronze lions, is the centerpiece of the square.

In about six weeks, the park will have more green space, a new traffic pattern through the square that eliminates the existing traffic signal, on-street parking and safer pedestrian crossings.

Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2013-04-05/story/after-streetscape-park-renovation-san-marco-square-will-be-amazing#ixzz2PdBNsmAK

[tufsu1]

the roadway reconstruction is already underway....Balis has been rebuilt and new medians on Atlantic are going in

[ProjectMaximus]

awesome!! now let's just get that east san marco project going and a skyway extension...fifteen years from now it's gonna be great! 

[acme54321]

I'm sitting in the square right now and I couldn't even remember what it used to look like so I had to dig this up.  What an improvement, a huge win for the neighborhood.  Game changing I dare say...