More infill housing underway in Jax's urban core

[thelakelander]

There's a good article about this on the Jax Daily Record. In regards to design, as long as the DDRB follows the rules on the books, this development should integrate well into the surrounding environment. When variances start getting approved is when we end up with projects that don't seamlessly fit in or assist in the long term realization of a pedestrian scale community.

[jaxnyc79]

There's a good article about this on the Jax Daily Record. In regards to design, as long as the DDRB follows the rules on the books, this development should integrate well into the surrounding environment. When variances start getting approved is when we end up with projects that don't seamlessly fit in or assist in the long term realization of a pedestrian scale community.

So 390 new units in LaVilla...how many LaVilla residential units were razed during River City Renaissance?  Vestcor's efforts certainly seem restorative.  I'd hope that JPD is strategizing around downtown's resurgence.  Crime is probably fairly low downtown because criminals have few people at night to target.  As the area starts to bustle again and enters a fragile stage of resurgence, few things will damage the branding of this resurgence more than widely-publicized criminal pestilence.

How to get out in front of this - Bright Lights?  Surveillance Cameras on every corner?  Officers on foot patrol?  Or we just have to hope and pray?

[jaxjaguar]

^lighting downtown has always been an issue. This is something the city has said they're working on several times, but I haven't noticed any results. The Northbank riverwalk desperately needs new lighting as well. There are several sections that are completely dark at night.

[exnewsman]

Maybe the added residential will eventually encourage the JTA to run the Skyway later and open on weekends.

[thelakelander]

Jaxnyc79, Lavilla had over 3,000 residents when it was annexed by Jax in 1887. At its height, it was probably double that. If we get any where close to its past population, it would easily be the most dense neighborhood in the city. So bring them on. The more residences, the better. Pack it with people and the rest will come.

[jaxnyc79]

thelakelander - I'm a big believer in density, as long as there's contextualism, walkability, and transit-orient design.  The Vestcor projects appear to more than accomplish this.  I'm rooting for their success.  I regret that smart growth and new urbanism aren't guiding every project (especially infill) in Jacksonville (including outside the urban core...like in Arlington, around Regency, etc.) 

Does JTA have any sort of T.O.D. initiative to partner with developers considering dense, affordable housing developments around bus stations (even well outside the urban core)?

[JeffreyS]

Could we get a little map with this projects location highlighted?
Thanks in advance.

[Jim]

Could we get a little map with this projects location highlighted?
Thanks in advance.

Blue = Lofts at La Villa and the lot to the right is the new development.

Red = Houston Manor.

[thelakelander]

There's also the Lofts of Monroe. That project is under construction on the block bounded by Lee, Monroe, Davis and Ashley. It looks like they pulled up the long demolished Flagler Hotel's foundation in October. Also, I believe the proposed Vestcor project extends all the way to Jefferson St.

[Jim]

There's also the Lofts of Monroe. That project is under construction on the block bounded by Lee, Monroe, Davis and Ashley. It looks like they pulled up the long demolished Flagler Hotel's foundation in October. Also, I believe the proposed Vestcor project extends all the way to Jefferson St.

I wanted to add Lofts of Monroe but couldn't recall exactly which block it was going in.  Ashley is a few blocks north of that.  Is it supposed to be Adams?

As for Vestcor's second project, to extend all the way to Jefferson suggests they plan either 2-3 floors or a lot of parking/green space.  It's the same number of units as Lofts of La Villa but that's twice the lot size.  Have they provided any details on that yet?

[thelakelander]

My bad. Adams, not Ashley. I haven't seen any preliminary plans. I suspect there will be some surface parking, given the total amount of units vs the amount of land left on that block. Either that, or some limited amount of retail could be included.

[FlaBoy]

My bad. Adams, not Ashley. I haven't seen any preliminary plans. I suspect there will be some surface parking, given the total amount of units vs the amount of land left on that block. Either that, or some limited amount of retail could be included.

Some retail maybe on the corner would be nice. A lot of traffic by there going onto Riverside. I am happy that it is extending all the way to Jefferson though. Also, you can get a decent lunch crowd with the Fed across the street, CSX close by, and a lot of the law firms close by that aren't served by anything within walking distance except food trucks.

[ProjectMaximus]

These projects haven't been heralded as much and yet I think they could prove to be a true turning point for downtown. TAD/TOD and a new infusion of real living/breathing people...ground level retail would be icing on the cake.

[thelakelander]

So Vestcor's third LaVilla project probably won't have retail. Today's Jax Daily Record article about LaVilla with a Vestcor representative saying they don't do retail.

[Wacca Pilatka]

^ I saw that too, but it confuses me, given that 11E and the Carling have retail.  Do they just not add retail components to new construction projects?