Metropolitan Park Concepts Revealed

[Jax_Developer]

One thing we know....the prices won't get cheaper in the future. Jax needs to decide if it wants a decent downtown or let it die.

But if we're going to go cheap, at least clean these spaces up, construct a few paths and get some decent landscaping done at the minimum. You can always figure out opportunities to later fund various amenities, understanding that peicemealing will likely cost you more in the long run, while limiting the positive impact in the short term.

Some members of the Finance Committee said that when they approved the agreement, they believed the $56 million would cover the remainder of the city's costs for building the three parks.

After discovering that total costs for the projects was $154 million as listed in Mayor Donna Deegan's proposed Capital Improvement Plan for 2025-29, committee Chair Ron Salem froze $90 million in parks funding and called the Sept. 4 meeting for more information.

The five-year plan called for $68.2 million for Riverfront Plaza, $60 million for Shipyards West Park and $26 million for Metropolitan Park.

Committee member Raul Arias said the parks were too elaborate for the city to afford. He also questioned why there needed to be three high-priced parks on the Northbank, and why all of them were being developed simultaneously.

"We're dreaming too far, too high and we're not being realistic about what our current budget is," he said.

Completely agree. I don't understand the all or nothing attitudes but we certainly have an issue DT. Nobody is *actually* on the same page & the series of deals/agreements have created cascading effects that are now unraveling. I hope this is all solved smoothly.

[thelakelander]

This is an example of why master plans.....or implementation strategies since people disagree on what a real MP is, are critical. Road maps, originally built with community consensus and that everyone can follow, are much easier to implement efficiently. When there is a general agreed upon vision, moving forward with most parties on the same page becomes more realistic.

[fsu813]

A few thoughts on this.

Arias's highlighted qoute is quintessential Jacksonville: dont expect great things, expect mediocre things, because this is Jacksonville. And the comment about why are these nice parks on the Northbank? Good grief. It's been a 4 year process to date.

Doing a fantastic job at Riverfront Plaza and Friendship Fountain park, then moving on to other parks in future years would be fine. But the timing of construction on stadium, Four Seasons, and Park Service land swap, may accelerate the timeline and expectations for Metro Park and Shipyards West.

Would be great to see the JAX Chamber engage again on this.
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2022/apr/11/jax-chamber-president-downtown-parks-good-for-development-property-values/

[thelakelander]

It is very strange to see council think it can do a better job than the DIA to throw more tax money to the Trio but nickel and dime this parks stuff to death. This should be a classic example of why downtown revitalization has taken so long.

[Charles Hunter]

Does anyone think this opposition to park spending by the Republican council members would exist if one of their own were in the mayor's office?

[Ken_FSU]

It is very strange to see council think it can do a better job than the DIA to throw more tax money to the Trio but nickel and dime this parks stuff to death. This should be a classic example of why downtown revitalization has taken so long.

Does anyone think this opposition to park spending by the Republican council members would exist if one of their own were in the mayor's office?

Would add opposition to homelessness initiatives here as well here.

[Jax_Developer]

It's likely some politics are at play. But I do think the Mayor's office is open to criticism given the price tag increase being almost 3x the anticipated cost in the formerly proposed budget. Council claims they weren't informed prior of the rising costs (mainly how much it increased by). These percentages are not representative of "construction cost increases." The issue is either the actual scope of work or who is doing it. Something major has changed from last year to this year and numbers don't lie!

[thelakelander]

If there is a concern about budget, then cap the cost and work within that budget. In no world does reducing the budget make sense. I hope they are just as financially prudent when talks of paying for a billion dollar jail start up.

[Tacachale]

Not going to get into the budget discussion until it's done later this month, but the $20 million reduction isn't that big a deal. That's money the parks and Public Works departments identified, not just a willy-nilly cut. I do think this shows the folly of demolishing the Landing. That is a mistake we'll be paying for for a long time.

[Ken_FSU]

Final design for Met Park seems to be locked in.

https://jaxtoday.org/2024/12/18/metropolitan-park-final-design-2/

Interesting to see that, after all the public workshopping, it seems like what the public really wanted was an improved, maintained version of the original Metropolitan Park that keeps the vast majority of the existing canopy.



Here's the video:
https://vimeo.com/1040894721

Of the three Northbank Riverwalk parks, this is the one that I'm the most mixed on. Definitely more passive than our other parks being planned, which may make sense given its location and budget. Riverfront Plaza and Shipyards West do a really nice job engaging with Bay Street/Independent Drive. Visually, I don't know how this guy's gonna look at street level with the parking lot fronting Bay Street. Was envisioning more of a sweeping view of the park and river from Lot J and the Sports Complex, inviting people to wander over, versus more of a hidden view like we see now where it might not even be obvious that a park exists. I'm also curious to see whether the Four Seasons development opens up to Met Park, or is blocked off from it aside from the Riverwalk. Interesting to see the smaller performance Pavilion directly adjacent to where the Four Seasons pool will be. Feels like it could be a noise pollution issue for hotel guests. It'll also be interesting to see how the performance lawns at Riverfront Plaza and Met Park are programmed relative each other. Love the restrooms, while also thinking all of these parks should have some form of permanent food & beverage, especially in the summers when temperatures peak.

For Shipyards West, Met Park, and even the MOSH/Orleck, I think the Sports & Entertainment district is going to be the key supporting amenity that makes the difference between these Riverfront Parks between a place that you park at then leave vs. a place that you come and spend the good chunk of a day. 100% works if it's built on Lot J. Don't think it does if built at the Fairgrounds.

Will be a HUGE accomplishment if everything comes online park-wise alongside the new stadium in 2028.

https://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,13124.45.html

[Captain Zissou]

The big question is where is the 20 foot alligator statue going?  Bill Delaney, don't you let it get demolished.  Either move it next to the T-Rex on beach blvd or donate it to Tailgater's parking. Don't let an iconic piece of Jacksonville get destroyed.

[Ken_FSU]

The big question is where is the 20 foot alligator statue going?  Bill Delaney, don't you let it get demolished.  Either move it next to the T-Rex on beach blvd or donate it to Tailgater's parking. Don't let an iconic piece of Jacksonville get destroyed.

This is probably a wildly unpopular opinion, but I'd love to see Rex moved to the Northbank riverfront, particularly to serve as the central art piece for Mosh's lawn/greenspace.

[Captain Zissou]

The big question is where is the 20 foot alligator statue going?  Bill Delaney, don't you let it get demolished.  Either move it next to the T-Rex on beach blvd or donate it to Tailgater's parking. Don't let an iconic piece of Jacksonville get destroyed.

This is probably a wildly unpopular opinion, but I'd love to see Rex moved to the Northbank riverfront, particularly to serve as the central art piece for Mosh's lawn/greenspace.

Fixed it for you. #bringrexdowntown

[Joey Mackey]

Instead of the "Lerp" statue, we should have gone with a 50 ft replica of Rex.

[Ken_FSU]

Instead of the "Lerp" statue, we should have gone with a 50 ft replica of Rex.

It's authentically Jacksonville, a great photo-op for locals or visitors, and would provide a symbol that would be instantly recognizable as Jacksonville if shown on an NFL broadcast or marketing brochure.

Not sure you can even safely get a photo of Rex where he's currently at.

That boy BELONGS on the riverfront and in skyline shots.