Metro Park: Nat'l Park Srvc Says "No" to Swap

[landfall]

I thought the four seasons was ambitious when Lot J was alive, but to me building it without it now would border on lunacy.

[heights unknown]

Jaguars: Four Seasons plan doesn't depend on Met Park land swap

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/local/2021/02/12/jaguars-four-seasons-hotel-plan-doesnt-depend-met-park-land-swap/6741376002/

Jaguars owner Shad Khan's ongoing plans for a Four Seasons Hotel and medical office building do not depend on the city gaining federal approval for a land swap that would allow private development on a chunk of Metropolitan Park, the team says.

"Our belief in downtown Jacksonville and its potential hasn't changed, nor has our commitment to playing a leading role in helping downtown realize its full potential," the Jaguars said in a statement Friday. "We are currently working through the DIA process regarding the Shipyards development. The Shipyards development, including the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences and medical office, are not dependent on the Met Park land swap."

I hope this doesn't get messed up or squashed as well. How about a hotel, medical office building, and a convention center inside a tower?

[DTWD_NW904]

I thought the four seasons was ambitious when Lot J was alive, but to me building it without it now would border on lunacy.

I completely agree.

[jaxlongtimer]

I thought the four seasons was ambitious when Lot J was alive, but to me building it without it now would border on lunacy.

Khan should put this development on the old courthouse/city hall property and use the U2C to connect it to his stadium district.  Then, he would have two sources of support, the real downtown and the occasional events in the stadium district.  Of course, this will test JTA's faith in the viability of the U2C, not just Khan's commitment to downtown.  Two birds with one stone.  Let's see how committed everyone really is to these ambitious projects.

[marcuscnelson]

So you're saying nothing is going to happen, then.

Of course Khan wants his developments next to his football team. I don't blame him for trying, I blame him for offering taxpayers a crap deal. And we've been talking for weeks now about how JTA is overhauling the existing Skyway with expectations of an additional 10-15 year service life, because it's apparently turned out that autonomous vehicles aren't ready to serve as urban circulators.

[Charles Hunter]

The coalition of groups supporting downtown, and specifically riverfront, parks is opposing allowing Iguana Investments access to the "city" portion of Metro Park for environmental testing.

Riverfront Parks Now, a growing coalition of 10 civic organizations representing thousands of citizens, is asking the public to oppose the DIA resolution, recognizing that commercial development of the property will rob locals of the opportunity to maintain public access and ownership, and to create something distinctive, inviting, and resilient.
https://jaxlookout.com/metro-park/?fbclid=IwAR2SqVvFkGhuOPTRLcTdN3xj-jNEdjhRB5wOf6XdbjsuprQti28s_F5iiqU

[heights unknown]

The coalition of groups supporting downtown, and specifically riverfront, parks is opposing allowing Iguana Investments access to the "city" portion of Metro Park for environmental testing.

Riverfront Parks Now, a growing coalition of 10 civic organizations representing thousands of citizens, is asking the public to oppose the DIA resolution, recognizing that commercial development of the property will rob locals of the opportunity to maintain public access and ownership, and to create something distinctive, inviting, and resilient.
https://jaxlookout.com/metro-park/?fbclid=IwAR2SqVvFkGhuOPTRLcTdN3xj-jNEdjhRB5wOf6XdbjsuprQti28s_F5iiqU

They need to use their heads. How about proposing to build something bigger and better for the kids if they build a hotel or whatever on the property; either include it IN the development, or build it next to the development on a small portion of land...or will the hotel, etc. be to big to include a kiddie park? Just saying. That might make the coalition more happy. The kids will have to do without a park while it is all under construction, but it will show that the City is still thinking about the kids and not eradicating the park altogether without building something else either within or next to the development or close by.

[Charles Hunter]

The Kids' Kampus has been gone for a long time, the City converted it into "open space" years ago.  The Four Seasons Resort doesn't impress me as the kind of place that would invite local children onto their property unless they (or their parents) could afford to book a room there.  And it's not just about the former playground, it's about the idea of giving free parkland to a billionaire developer to build something that very few of the residents of Jacksonville can afford to benefit from.  And looking at the "broken ship" profile from across the river is not a 'benefit' to the taxpayer. Heck, if the deal is made during the Curry administration (or a prospective Davis administration) I would not be surprised if the City retains ownership of the land, so there will never be any property taxes coming from this luxury hotel and medical facility.

[jaxlongtimer]

The coalition of groups supporting downtown, and specifically riverfront, parks is opposing allowing Iguana Investments access to the "city" portion of Metro Park for environmental testing.

Riverfront Parks Now, a growing coalition of 10 civic organizations representing thousands of citizens, is asking the public to oppose the DIA resolution, recognizing that commercial development of the property will rob locals of the opportunity to maintain public access and ownership, and to create something distinctive, inviting, and resilient.
https://jaxlookout.com/metro-park/?fbclid=IwAR2SqVvFkGhuOPTRLcTdN3xj-jNEdjhRB5wOf6XdbjsuprQti28s_F5iiqU

I fully support the mission of Riverfront Parks Now and agree that we should preserve as much of our riverfront as possible as green space and public access.  Any development set back behind such spaces should retain or even increase in value with these spaces as an added amenity as proven in cities all over the world.  It is really a relatively inexpensive economic development driver.

We are blessed that the City already owns so much of this land and we need to not squander the opportunity away.  Khan and his ilk are welcome to build all day long across from such spaces.  Future generations of Jacksons will be thanking us for our foresight.

Added benefits include urban health, environmental and resiliency.  It should be a no-brainer.  Only in our City due we have to fight for this type of decision.