Rethinking Adams Street: The Makeover of Giralda Plaza

[thelakelander]

Today, one will struggle to find more than a business or two open at night or on weekends on a single block in downtown Jacksonville. Despite what some may think, it doesn't take massive development projects or a generation to bring an urban street back to life, when a community invests in the concept of clustering, complementing uses within a compact setting. Here's a look at a South Florida transformation that should serve as an example for Downtown Jacksonville, where corridors such as West Adams Street are characterized by contiguous blocks of underutilized storefronts.

Read More: https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/rethinking-adams-street-the-makeover-of-giralda-plaza/

[Charles Hunter]

Excellent article. DIA, DVI, City Hall - are you listening?

Also, Ennis, great job on framing the "after" pictures at the same locations and angles as the "before" - this detail is often lost in comparison articles.

[thelakelander]

Thank you Sir! This time it was possible with Google Streetview.

[Charles Hunter]

One more thought. With the proposed Emerald Trail coming down Hogan Street, seems it would be a good candidate for this sort of transformation.

[thelakelander]

Most definitely. Especially since there are already some storefronts occupied. Any street with the potential for continuous storefront retail/dining space would be game.

[fieldafm]

Excellent article. DIA, DVI, City Hall - are you listening?

Also, Ennis, great job on framing the "after" pictures at the same locations and angles as the "before" - this detail is often lost in comparison articles.

I think you'll see one of the organizations you mentioned do something on at least one block in the very near future.

[Captain Zissou]

Mike, your teaser comments are getting out of hand.  Just tell us already!!

[FlaBoy]

Excellent article. DIA, DVI, City Hall - are you listening?

Also, Ennis, great job on framing the "after" pictures at the same locations and angles as the "before" - this detail is often lost in comparison articles.

I think you'll see one of the organizations you mentioned do something on at least one block in the very near future.

I think the block on Laura, north of Adams, could make sense for something like this. Hogan also has a lot of unlocked potential with it's density and is not a high traffic street. Basically, Jax could take a page out of Orlando's playbook and create its own Wall Street to get things going with nightlife/restaurants.

[bl8jaxnative]

Steches of Adams and Lara seem like the best two to start with. They at least have some actual businesses in place today.

[thelakelander]

^True. Hogan is another:

[FlaBoy]

I think a shift of the focus for nightlife/restaurants to the Adams/Laura nexus would make a lot of sense.