The Jacksonville Landing's Redevelopment Plan

[KenFSU]

The more that I think about this proposed redevelopment, the less crazy I am about it. Even in its current state, the Landing is still one of Jacksonville's most iconic downtown destinations, for tourists and locals alike. The Landing courtyard has become synonymous with Jacksonville's biggest traditions and events, from Florida-Georgia, to the 4th of July and New Year's Eve, to the Christmas tree lighting and boat parade, to the water taxis, to the hundreds of concerts and events that are programmed there throughout the year.

What happens when you slash retail and restaurants by 70%, demo the courtyard, cut the remaining restaurants/retail in half with vehicular traffic going down the middle, cut the public greenspace off from the restaurants by another road, etc? Yes, you add several hundred new bodies to the downtown population, but what's left of the public Landing (on city-owned land) when you're done? As far as the southwest corner goes, I would hope that the city would focus on filling the existing office towers and following through on the boutique hotel at the Trio before even thinking about contributing to either at the Landing.

As Ennis mentioned, I really hope that the potential Landing and Shipyards redevelopments are being planned to complement each other. If the Shipyards will include public event space and a good deal of restaurants and retail, I would feel a lot more comfortable with the proposed plans for the Landing.

[KenFSU]

P.S. I know it's not super important to a lot of people, but it's also worth pointing out that our skyline will lose two of its most prominent features. Obviously, the copper Landing roof and its signature, lit signage will be a casualty of the redevelopment, but the proposed east building looks like it would also completely hide the flared, bottom portion of the Independent Life building.

[floridaal]

The present landing has many restaurants right on the river.  It appears to be much less than that in the new plan, as well as a much smaller event space.   I cannot see how this will bring people to that area, besides some living in condos.  Seem like a great waste of valuable riverfront.  After having visited very progressive cities like Vancouver BC  and seeing where the waterfront is a very active space used by many people, this seems like a very bad concept.

[IrvAdams]

On the positive side, extending Laura Street all the way to the river, with its associated enticing river view, is a huge improvement. If they enlarged the green-space common area and got rid of that road between the buildings and the water it could still be viable as a place where hundreds (or thousands) could gather, with plenty of room for a stage.

As pointed out, the Landing is the largest single meeting space in the city for major events. Concerts are held there all the time and it's seen as a place where the public can come for free and hang out. It needs to be large, and open, and without a street through it.

[tufsu1]

Some of us will have the opportunity to work with the former planning director of Vancouver, BC here in Jax in the coming weeks.  I'm sure the new landing plans will be a topic of discussion. 

[finehoe]

A little Las Olas-ish, right?

It should be noted that the Las Olas Riverfront "festival marketplace" is a bigger dump than the Landing.

[brainstormer]

I've spent a day pondering this proposal and I've decided I hate it. I think most view the Landing as a public gathering space. If the city wants to continue to own the land, then it should remain a public gathering space. This proposal eliminates that "courtyard" feel. If this is what Sleiman wants to build, then the city should sell him the land, put the property back on the tax roll and move on. Perhaps Khan can incorporate a new gathering space into the Shipyards development.

[floridaal]

tufsu1, as I said, Vancouver BC is a very impressive city. It is there goal to be the "greenist" city in the world.  Buildings have greenspace on the tops of them and they have a wonderful bike/walking path completely around the waterfront which, when possible, separates the two with clearly marked signage.  Many restaurants have water views. The convention center, right along the water, has the paths running under it with shops and restaurants on the lower levels.  Perhaps some of these concepts can be utilized in Jacksonville.

[thelakelander]

A gathering space should be centrally located. The shipyards isn't and never will be. We have a chance to do something really special with the existing Landing courtyard. Unfortunately, it's an afterthought in the renderings shown. The architecture ofthe proposed plan is bland and uninspiring. Nevertheless, I'd like to see more detail in what happens along the riverfront. Are the buildings set back far enough? Is there outdoor dining, interactive water features, video screens, a stage, etc. Kind of hard to tell at this point.

[Charles Hunter]

Re-establishing Coast Line Drive - no, don't even consider this, not for one minute
Reducing the open space - no; and having the same square footage spread out linearly (especially with a road along it), is not the same thing.
Architecture - boring
I am interested to see the financing for this - how much more public money is Slieman going to demand?

[jcjohnpaint]

I've spent a day pondering this proposal and I've decided I hate it. I think most view the Landing as a public gathering space. If the city wants to continue to own the land, then it should remain a public gathering space. This proposal eliminates that "courtyard" feel. If this is what Sleiman wants to build, then the city should sell him the land, put the property back on the tax roll and move on. Perhaps Khan can incorporate a new gathering space into the Shipyards development.

I very much agree.  I think I do like the idea of having more residents living downtown and the access to the river.  The rest really is pretty much a letdown.  Architecturally- this plan is beyond conservative.  This looks like the most boring infill in the periphery of downtown Atlanta.  I am sorry, I am not really into this.  Sat on it, and do not support any of it.  I am no fan of giving this man any money. 

[Fallen Buckeye]

What if the area that is to be used as the extension of Laura St. were made into a courtyard instead of a road? You incorporate some sort of stage at the end by the river. Perhaps change the facade to make it a little more interesting, and I think you could have something decent. It definitely engages Independent Dr. much better than what's there now.

[brainstormer]

What about something like this? You could double the footprint to make a half circle facing the river. Turn the road down the center into part of the courtyard and eliminate the road along the river.  It is fun, modern, mixed use, and maintains the part of the Jacksonville Landing that we actually love.  The backside of the development can go up to Independent Drive with office or retail space. Put the hotel on one end, etc. People would support something like this.  They aren't going to want taxpayer money used to support what he just proposed.

[tufsu1]

^ that's a great example.  I am hopeful that Sleiman, DIA, DDRB, and others will work to make this plan better

[thelakelander]

^That kind of reminds me of Washington Harbor in Georgetown: