south Liberty Street Drama

[jaxjaguar]

So in two weeks they will vote on a bill to appropriate money for the assessment of the damage.

Or in other words, what we like to call a "study". Lol

[downtownbrown]

This is going to be pretty tedious for a while.  The BIG DAY will be when the comprehensive assessment of the whole structure is released.  That's when I hope to hear it is all beyond repair and must be demolished.  But first they have to get money to do the 2nd hole demo, bid that out, do the work, and clear the way for the divers...

[UNFurbanist]

So this is just a thought. They should destroy the parking lot and use the crushed concrete to create oyster beds in the river. MOSH can have a exhibit set up and someone can open a little seafood cafe on the water that uses a percentage of the oysters for food. The rest will simply sit in the water and filter the river, allowing COJ to take at least one baby step towards actually meeting river quality standards because oysters are EXTREMELY good at cleaning water. Maybe this could even start our own billion oyster project like NYC https://www.billionoysterproject.org/

[UNFurbanist]

I think it would for anything bigger than a kayak or paddle boat. But maybe that's a good thing. Plus I'm sure you could set the beds in such a way that you could provide channels for recreational boating.

[downtownbrown]

That's a good idea for inshore.  Jacksonville Municipal Marina for where it gets deep.  And don't forget, the courthouse footprint is big enough for a very significant development.

If they just fix Liberty and reopen the roads and parking lot, that will set development back years.  It's a fugly structure, and of almost no utility for downtown.

[Tacachale]

So this is just a thought. They should destroy the parking lot and use the crushed concrete to create oyster beds in the river. MOSH can have a exhibit set up and someone can open a little seafood cafe on the water that uses a percentage of the oysters for food. The rest will simply sit in the water and filter the river, allowing COJ to take at least one baby step towards actually meeting river quality standards because oysters are EXTREMELY good at cleaning water. Maybe this could even start our own billion oyster project like NYC https://www.billionoysterproject.org/

I really like this. We need our oyster beds back!

[UNFurbanist]

I agree downtownbrown, I personally think that the courthouse spot would be a prime location for a new convention center that connects to the Hyatt via a sky bridge. Having a well designed and inviting river space right next to it would be even better.

[I-10east]

A FCN report: Broken Below the Surface. City knew about the northbank roads' weaknesses, e-mails show.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/story/news/local/2015/04/20/city-had-hints-about-road-weakness-emails-show/26089691/

[Tacachale]

Not surprising, but sad.

[thelakelander]

Glad to see they believe the best option going forward is to tear it down.

[downtownbrown]

Glad to see they believe the best option going forward is to tear it down.

absolutely.  But I seriously doubt City Council will approve the $8 million.  They should immediately begin the RFP process to redevelop the courthouse.  Maybe they can tie in the two projects.  Anyone know why the city takes so much time to do the obvious?

[Tacachale]

Lack of leadership and a mismanaged budget. Election Day is May 19.

[tufsu1]

Lack of leadership and a mismanaged budget. Election Day is May 19.

I am completely confident in Lenny Curry's ability to lead and manage the budget all without raising taxes on anyone

[Tacachale]

Lack of leadership and a mismanaged budget. Election Day is May 19.

I am completely confident in Lenny Curry's ability to lead and manage the budget all without raising taxes on anyone

Actually, Curry isn't supporting a tax increase at a time that there's been a "gross mismanagement of the city's tax dollars". We'll see what happens when he gets in and actually has to clean up Brown's mess.

We already know what Brown will do.

[downtownbrown]

What's going to happen on July 4th when thousands of people breech the barriers around the parking lot and Coastline?  How many cops will be deployed to protect the city against the potential exposure of another pier failure?

This is officially a mess, and will continue to be a mess until the place is torn down.