Downtown Development Update: What's rising, what's delayed

[Ken_FSU]

Looks like some type of major foundation work has started beside the Ambassador?

[acme54321]

Foundations for the garage.  They've been at it for a few weeks.

[thelakelander]

Yes, the garage work is underway. Work on the Ambassador should begin soon as well.

[heights unknown]

Boutique Hotel...The Ambassador; gotta come downtown and stay there sometimes. I have history in the old Ambassador. Any word on what they will do with the Basement? It was a bar and liquor store back in the day.

[Ken_FSU]

Does anyone consult the DIA, DDRB, city planning, or the ADA before slapping an enormous statue down that totally obstructs the Laura Streer sidewalk?

Meandering, short-sighted planning in a vacuum with no consideration to the park, library, pedestrian experience, etc.

[Tacachale]

Does anyone consult the DIA, DDRB, city planning, or the ADA before slapping an enormous statue down that totally obstructs the Laura Streer sidewalk?

Meandering, short-sighted planning in a vacuum with no consideration to the park, library, pedestrian experience, etc.

Yes, this was included in the budget last year (though it ended up being funded privately if I recall correctly). This is the location that was worked out between the city, the museum and the Frank Stella estate.

[jcjohnpaint]

It is a Frank Stella! I believe it was the last piece he worked on.

[Ken_FSU]

But why planted in the middle of the sidewalk on Laura Street, which we hope to eventually be a high-traffic corridor? While squeezing scooter and pedestrian traffic together into a tight bottleneck? I'm all for public art, just seems like a bizarre and obstructive place to drop it.

[Steve]

It seems like it will take up less space when it's finished.

[jaxlongtimer]

I note it is in line with a row of trees so may not be much more restrictive than what is already there.

[jcjohnpaint]

The foundation is making it look bigger than it is.

[Ken_FSU]

The foundation is making it look bigger than it is.

I actually talked to the construction crew this morning to get more details, and you're right. Won't be as large as it appears at the moment. Footprint will be smaller, and it's more of a vertical structure. A better use of the wide sidewalk here than say outdoor seating for Setlan/MOCA's restaurant? I'd argue no. But there will be more space than I initially feared.

[tufsu1]

But why planted in the middle of the sidewalk on Laura Street, which we hope to eventually be a high-traffic corridor? While squeezing scooter and pedestrian traffic together into a tight bottleneck? I'm all for public art, just seems like a bizarre and obstructive place to drop it.

As far as ADA goes, the requirement is 4' of clear space - most are aiming for 5' these days - and there appears to be far more than that here.

[Ken_FSU]

Good lord, man.

Another grant falls through because Jax failed to follow through on the paperwork.

https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/local/jacksonville-loses-1-million-grant-james-weldon-johnson-park-upgrades/77-79082c6b-ffbf-4597-a2d2-01a6cd76468b#

[jaxlongtimer]

Good lord, man.

Another grant falls through because Jax failed to follow through on the paperwork.

https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/local/jacksonville-loses-1-million-grant-james-weldon-johnson-park-upgrades/77-79082c6b-ffbf-4597-a2d2-01a6cd76468b#

In reading the full article, it appears the State sent a letter saying the extension that cost the City the grant wasn't needed.  Two sides to the coin here.  Rory Diamond desperate for finding faults under Deegan.  Where was he and his ilk when Curry was mayor?

...Mayor Donna Deegan's office said the grant manager at the Dept. of State told the city's parks department grant manager she would not need to request another deadline extension.

Emails between the city's parks department and the state department dated July 2024 show the city's grant manager asking if a contract extension would need to be completed since the city was waiting on legislative approval for a final piece of the grant. The Department of State said an extension should not be needed as long as the expenditures were paid out...