Deciphering JEA's Search: What's Best For Downtown?

[FlaBoy]

My map has #2 and #3 reversed from the text, so I'll have to revise a little later.

With that said, only the Church Street and Adams Street sites provide max economic benefit downtown. Both keep JEA in the core and allow a new dense reuse of the existing JEA Tower. Consider it a two-for-one economic jolt. You don't get both with demolishing and rebuilding at the same site or relocating to Lot J or San Marco.

100% the choice should be the the site on Adams which will create will create some uninterrupted density from the Courthouse on to Main St. that the city can be proud of. There must be some retail on Adams with a nice cafe or something right on the green space with a nice view of the Courthouse and on down.

[marcuscnelson]

I don't really have a problem if it goes at Lot J. Yeah it would reek of a backhander, but someone else on here put it aptly. Brooklyn and the Sports Complex are each side of the "dumbbell" and as a result I think that'll fuel growth in the middle of the urban core more organically.

I recall someone else here saying that just hoping the space between is eventually filled in is a silly idea. In a way, Jax already tried something similar to this by razing Lavilla and turning Union Terminal into a convention center. In that way, the dumbbell should have had the urban core on one end and Prime Osborn on the other. If you haven't noticed, that didn't exactly pan out, until maybe recently with things like the Vestcor projects.


Urban revitalization requires a real plan to both activate existing space and build new space. There is an enormous amount of empty land between Lot J and Brooklyn, even more now with the Annex and Courthouse demos. If you think that's all just going to fill in by itself, as we already near the end of a bull market, then you've got another thing coming.

[thelakelander]

I don't really have a problem if it goes at Lot J. Yeah it would reek of a backhander, but someone else on here put it aptly. Brooklyn and the Sports Complex are each side of the "dumbbell" and as a result I think that'll fuel growth in the middle of the urban core more organically.

The problem is that's a lie. Neither Brooklyn or the Sports Complex represent each side of a "dumbbell". There is no "dumbbell" of development. That quote comes from those with a vested interest in that story line.

[Steve]

I don't really have a problem if it goes at Lot J. Yeah it would reek of a backhander, but someone else on here put it aptly. Brooklyn and the Sports Complex are each side of the "dumbbell" and as a result I think that'll fuel growth in the middle of the urban core more organically.

The problem is that's a lie. Neither Brooklyn or the Sports Complex represent each side of a "dumbbell". There is no "dumbbell" of development. That quote comes from those with a vested interest in that story line.

Agreed. If that was true then Downtown would already be in a great place thanks to the Convention Center and Sports Complex

[KenFSU]

I don't really have a problem if it goes at Lot J. Yeah it would reek of a backhander, but someone else on here put it aptly. Brooklyn and the Sports Complex are each side of the "dumbbell" and as a result I think that'll fuel growth in the middle of the urban core more organically.

The problem is that's a lie. Neither Brooklyn or the Sports Complex represent each side of a "dumbbell". There is no "dumbbell" of development. That quote comes from those with a vested interest in that story line.

Don't be such a downer. I actually think it'll bring a lot of synergy with the lateral pull down strategy that Balanky is developing with the air gondola, Lori Boyer's kettle bells along the river, and Curry's clean and jerk approach the old Courthouse site. I think it'll encourage so much infill that, within a year, we'll see John Peyton doing squats on the Main Street Bridge while the Landing is imploded.

[vicupstate]

I think it'll encourage so much infill that, within a year, we'll see John Peyton doing squats on the Main Street Bridge while the Landing is imploded.

I'm not sure if Peyton would be doing squats but I can see him buying a Hot Dog on the Main Street bridge.

[Jagsdrew]

Would love to gauge how the DT employees at JEA feel about each location. 

Working at the Jags for 5 years, I got frustrated with all the extracurricular events around the sports complex which made it a hassle to get in and out of work. From concerts at the arena/amphitheater, charity runs, civic events at Met Park, etc.,

My perception is JEA wants to have a site that it easy for their employees to get in and out without pulling their hair or sitting at intersections/streets being told by law enforcement where to turn and park. Not to mention, JEA's office is a 24-hour facility so there are always going to be people coming in and out.

[marcuscnelson]

Would love to gauge how the DT employees at JEA feel about each location. 

Working at the Jags for 5 years, I got frustrated with all the extracurricular events around the sports complex which made it a hassle to get in and out of work. From concerts at the arena/amphitheater, charity runs, civic events at Met Park, etc.,

My perception is JEA wants to have a site that it easy for their employees to get in and out without pulling their hair or sitting at intersections/streets being told by law enforcement where to turn and park. Not to mention, JEA's office is a 24-hour facility so there are always going to be people coming in and out.

Based on that, the Southbank proposal would make the most sense, followed by the Ryan plans. Much less likely to get disrupted by events when you're either distant from them or close to the highway to get in or out.

Don't be such a downer. I actually think it'll bring a lot of synergy with the lateral pull down strategy that Balanky is developing with the air gondola, Lori Boyer's kettle bells along the river, and Curry's clean and jerk approach the old Courthouse site. I think it'll encourage so much infill that, within a year, we'll see John Peyton doing squats on the Main Street Bridge while the Landing is imploded.

You laugh now, but you won't be when we actually tear down a somewhat iconic landmark for a park we won't maintain! The power of synergy!

[KenFSU]

Would love to gauge how the DT employees at JEA feel about each location.

I've got a lot of friends over at JEA, and to a person, their desire is to "remain downtown." They don't consider Lot J or the Southbank to be downtown proper. It's got nothing to do with politics or anti-Khan sentiment or anything like that. As the Downtown Vision study suggested last year, they are simply part of that 90% of the downtown workforce that really enjoys being downtown and they want to remain close to the rest of the workforce and amenities.

[vicupstate]

Would love to gauge how the DT employees at JEA feel about each location.

I've got a lot of friends over at JEA, and to a person, their desire is to "remain downtown." They don't consider Lot J or the Southbank to be downtown proper. It's got nothing to do with politics or anti-Khan sentiment or anything like that. As the Downtown Vision study suggested last year, they are simply part of that 90% of the downtown workforce that really enjoys being downtown and they want to remain close to the rest of the workforce and amenities.

I have seen a study that the biggest factor in corporate relocation is the proximity to the CEO's golf course. 

[Jagsdrew]

During the board meeting, JEA has asked some good questions regarding Lot J site:

One question was asked about ease of customer access to the headquarters for those that pay their bills in person.  Something to consider with each of the locations.  A lot of low income zip codes still travel by public transportation to pay in person.

Sourcing of local companies/minority contractors to assist with construction and in the overall bill of work show the percentage of local sourcing vs nationwide. 

Consider these for all the locations especially the first question.

[thelakelander]

The LaVilla location is adjacent to a First Coast Flyer BRT stop. The bus comes every 10 minutes peak and every 15 minutes off peak. The Southbank location is adjacent to the First Coast Flyer BRT and Skyway's Kings Avenue Station, so it comes with the same accessibility benefit. The existing location (2 block walk) and the proposed Adams Street location (1 block walk) are pretty close to the Skyway's Hemming Park Station. Lot J is the only one a mile away from anything. At this point, they'll need their own shuttle or dream that JTA can come through on the U2C at some distant point in the future.

[KenFSU]

During the board meeting, JEA has asked some good questions regarding Lot J site:

One question was asked about ease of customer access to the headquarters for those that pay their bills in person.  Something to consider with each of the locations.  A lot of low income zip codes still travel by public transportation to pay in person.

EASY.

1) Take the First Coast Flyer to the JRTC.
2) Take an experimental clown car from the JRTC to Jefferson Station.
3) Take the legacy Skyway from Jefferson Station to Central Station.
4) Walk to ground level and, using the JTA App, hail a second clown car to pick you up from Central Station.
5) Board the robovan.
6) Avoid eye contact with the drug dealer.
7) Drive 15 mph down Bay Street, stopping intermittently to allow the gunshot, flood, and speed sensors to gather data to be sent to the airport.
8 ) Arrive at the Sports Complex.
9) Cross 6 lanes of traffic and climb over the toxic wreckage of the Hart Bridge Ramps
10) Arrive at Lot J
11) Hook your first left at Howl at the Moon, your second left at Chilis, and then circle Bennigan's in a counter-clockwise fashion until you see the entrance to the JEA Customer Care Center.

A simple process, really.

[Jagsdrew]

The LaVilla location is adjacent to a First Coast Flyer BRT stop. The bus comes every 10 minutes peak and every 15 minutes off peak. The Southbank location is adjacent to the First Coast Flyer BRT and Skyway's Kings Avenue Station, so it comes with the same accessibility benefit. The existing location (2 block walk) and the proposed Adams Street location (1 block walk) are pretty close to the Skyway's Hemming Park Station. Lot J is the only one a mile away from anything. At this point, they'll need their own shuttle or dream that JTA can come through on the U2C at some distant point in the future.

Lamping responded with U2C potential as well as a bus loop stop near the proposed Lot J location.

[Jagsdrew]

The LaVilla location is adjacent to a First Coast Flyer BRT stop. The bus comes every 10 minutes peak and every 15 minutes off peak. The Southbank location is adjacent to the First Coast Flyer BRT and Skyway's Kings Avenue Station, so it comes with the same accessibility benefit. The existing location (2 block walk) and the proposed Adams Street location (1 block walk) are pretty close to the Skyway's Hemming Park Station. Lot J is the only one a mile away from anything. At this point, they'll need their own shuttle or dream that JTA can come through on the U2C at some distant point in the future.

Lamping responded with U2C potential as well as a bus loop stop near the proposed Lot J location.

Alan Howard followed up with 11,000 customers each month pay their bills at JEA's HQ.