Residence Inn by Marriott's revised plans for Brooklyn

[thelakelander]

Full article: https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/residence-inn-by-marriotts-revised-plans-for-brooklyn/

[jaxnyc79]

Few Questions - perhaps covered previously:
Why can't the structural footprint abut the Magnolia Street sidewalk? 
Does the site plan do away with a portion of Dora Street and instead turn it into yet another surface parking lot? 
Why does Oak Street terminate as a cul-de-sac, instead of connecting with Forest Street? 
Is Forest Street on a priority list for a Road Diet?

[Charles Hunter]

Until the people who Know What They Are Talking About show up:
1. Good question, seems that row of parking could be on the north side of the building, once it is shifted to front Magnolia.
2. Looks like another block of Dora is gone.  Do they have to pay the City for it?
3. I think Oak is currently a cul-de-sac to limit the number and spacing of intersections with Forest.  Looks like this plan reconnects it, as a right-in/right-out.
4. No idea on road diets.

[thelakelander]

1. I don't see why it can't. Utilities in Price Street aren't a factor in incorporating their off-street parking into Magnolia, allowing for an urban street edge facing Magnolia and Unity Plaza. Other than a sidewalk having to be rebuilt, with the parking lot design and fences, it appears like they're concerned about security.

2. Dora stays. See site plan image above.

3. FDOT converted Oak into a cul-de-sac when it widened Forest to 6 lanes. The proposed plan shows Oak being reopened.

4. Yes, Forest is one of the streets COJ is looking to diet. I'm not sure about funding or timeline to actually do it though.

[Charles Hunter]

Does Dora remain a public street, totally surrounded by the hotel property?  I can't imagine the COJ wanting to maintain it, especially with what appear to be nice pavers, instead of asphalt.

[thelakelander]

Dora is northeast of the hotel property. I think the street being confused with Dora is a parking lot and drive they're planning to build in the middle of the block.

[jaxnyc79]

1. I don't see why it can't. Utilities in Price Street aren't a factor in incorporating their off-street parking into Magnolia, allowing for an urban street edge facing Magnolia and Unity Plaza. Other than a sidewalk having to be rebuilt, with the parking lot design and fences, it appears like they're concerned about security.

2. Dora stays. See site plan image above.

3. FDOT converted Oak into a cul-de-sac when it widened Forest to 6 lanes. The proposed plan shows Oak being reopened.

4. Yes, Forest is one of the streets COJ is looking to diet. I'm not sure about funding or timeline to actually do it though.

I'd strongly encourage extending the building footprint to Magnolia Street.  I'm not sure what the security concerns are, but if they have to do with cars driving into the building, well sturdy sidewalk barriers can be used.

As for the triangular surface lot created with Forest/Oak/Price, all I can say there is that hopefully, one day, if Forest Street ever gets "reduced," some creative plan can occur with that triangular lot, something engaging for pedestrians walking along Forest - perhaps even a food truck or two - a jump rope station (think Richmond's Upswing Stations) - whatever.

In reality, I don't find Forest Street to be all that pedestrian friendly at present.  It needs a ton of work, and a Marriott site plan alone won't do much to correct the lack of pedestrian-orientation of this 6-lane boulevard lined with retention ponds (yes, I consider Unity Plaza a retention pond with a name).   

[jaxnyc79]

Concerning the bit of property that hasn't been sold to Marriott, given its context after the hotel's construction, what likely uses remain for its landowner?  Is it enough space for a parking garage?  For anything mixed-use?  Or more like a standalone diner or restaurant?

[Steve]

Approved today by DDRB. Not surprising. I feel like the time to stop this was the Conceptual approval, not the Final approval.

[Charles Hunter]

Dora is northeast of the hotel property. I think the street being confused with Dora is a parking lot and drive they're planning to build in the middle of the block.

Well, if I could read a map ... I confused Price with Dora.  One block of Price looks like it will be closed.

[thelakelander]

Yes, they proposed closing Price in the original concept and the utilities under Price has been the reason why the building can't be closer to Forest Street. If they left Price in place and added their parking to Price and Magnolia, the site plan would be fine.

[jaxnyc79]

Yes, they proposed closing Price in the original concept and the utilities under Price has been the reason why the building can't be closer to Forest Street. If they left Price in place and added their parking to Price and Magnolia, the site plan would be fine.

So what in fact was approved in final form by the Board?  Will Price stay open? 

[thelakelander]

No. The board approved Price becoming a part of their surface parking lot.

[jaxnyc79]

No. The board approved Price becoming a part of their surface parking lot.

Well, I guess nothing more to discuss on this.  I don't understand the big deal on extending the building footprint to Magnolia.  I've seen Marriotts abutting the sidewalk in cities all over the country - why this could not have been done here is utterly baffling to me.  On the one hand, I want to excoriate both the City and DDRB for being weak-willed, on the other hand, perhaps the city needs to focus less on architectural details and more on the perception of safety in the core.  The city seems riddled with violence, and more must be done to make downtown a daily draw for the region.

[bl8jaxnative]

"
I don't understand the big deal on extending the building footprint to Magnolia.
"

And apparently the same with the owners and architects.  Whatever value that could bring, they don't view it as being worth more than it's costs.