Coming Soon to DT Jax: Lofts at LaVilla

[Metro Jacksonville]

Coming Soon to DT Jax: Lofts at LaVilla



Jacksonville-based Vestcor Companies proposes to build a $22 million, 120-unit affordable housing development at Bay and Lee Streets.

Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2016-apr-coming-soon-to-dt-jax-lofts-at-lavilla

[Captain Zissou]

Sounds pretty expensive for 20 units.  I'm guessing that's a typo.

[thelakelander]

Typo. It should be 120. Fixing it now.

[Captain Zissou]

Typo. It should be 120. Fixing it now.

That still seems pretty pricey.  I don't mind the lack of street level retail, because it would struggle for the first few years at least.  The aesthetics aren't my favorite, but they will tie in with the Brooklyn buildings.

[Steve]

I know Vestcor didn't do great with their retail in 11E and The Carling, but I don't love not having anything. I also don't love the superblock development, although the blocks to the north and south already do this (although to the south of the Federal Reserve you have a rail anyway. Since it looks like they are closing a street now, could they just move the street to the east end of the development, so if something comes on the parcel to the east it doesn't create a ridiculous block?

On that topic, I'm not sure I get how that will look at the end.

[thelakelander]

It appears the street is moved slightly east:

[Steve]

Is that actually a street? They list it as a service drive on rendering 18. Is it covered by the building or clear to the sky?

[Steve]

To that point though, if it's uncovered perhaps they change that to make it a legit street with proper sidewalks, etc and we go from there.

[fieldafm]

To that point though, if it's uncovered perhaps they change that to make it a legit street with proper sidewalks, etc and we go from there.

I'd make the assumption that whatever TCEA money they are required to contribute would be credited the towards landscaping, sidewalks, street reconfiguration on this project.

You won't hear me say this often, but I'm 100% ok with no street level retail on this project. There are lots of ways you could configure pedestrian-oriented streetscapes and retail opportunities if future development happens in this area over the next 10-15 years. Forcing this developer to do so surrounded by miles of empty lots, simply isn't realistic.

I'm a big fan of this project. Vestcor is taking on a BIG risk.

[FlaBoy]

To that point though, if it's uncovered perhaps they change that to make it a legit street with proper sidewalks, etc and we go from there.

I'd make the assumption that whatever TCEA money they are required to contribute would be credited the towards landscaping, sidewalks, street reconfiguration on this project.

You won't hear me say this often, but I'm 100% ok with no street level retail on this project. There are lots of ways you could configure pedestrian-oriented streetscapes and retail opportunities if future development happens in this area over the next 10-15 years. Forcing this developer to do so surrounded by miles of empty lots, simply isn't realistic.

I'm a big fan of this project. Vestcor is taking on a BIG risk.

Even though it is right by the convention center? Wouldn't you want to set the foundation for a corridor of retail on Water St.?

[hiddentrack]

Judging by the trees on both sides of the entrance to the service drive, it seems like it will be uncovered, however it also looks like the entrance may be gated (if that's what those dark lines are halfway across each side's entrance).

I can't imagine the current street is used often (except when the empty lots are used for parking), so it doesn't seem like a huge loss to me. There's an intersection just a few hundred feet away if you're going west.

[Steve]

I can't imagine the current street is used often (except when the empty lots are used for parking), so it doesn't seem like a huge loss to me. There's an intersection just a few hundred feet away if you're going west.

Of course it isn't used often - there are no buildings there that necessitate its use.

My complaint is more about pedestrians than cars. Cars can go down to Broad (Remember, Jefferson is one way South), make a left on Broad, make a left on Bay at that ridiculous intersection there, go through Jefferson and come back around. A headache, but at least it's 72 degrees and dry inside your car.

Obviously, if nothing is built people will walk through the grass. I'm assuming that something gets built eventually. A pedestrian obviously can walk up Jefferson and come back around, but superblocks aren't great for people walking. I'm hoping that we can just make that a regular street, with sidewalks and everything, and call it a day.

[Gambit80]

Judging by the trees on both sides of the entrance to the service drive, it seems like it will be uncovered, however it also looks like the entrance may be gated (if that's what those dark lines are halfway across each side's entrance).

Those dark lines halfway across each side's entrance are painted stop bars.

[acme54321]

Other than the road questions, I have zero problems with this.  That area needs all the help it can get.

[Tacachale]

I would rather we get the ball rolling again on residential development in the northbank core than waiting for longer for projects that are perfect. Hopefully this inspires more development, for which we can insist on ground floor retail.