Jacksonville is Losing its Identity

[NorrisFByrd]

Those renderings are really something, especially the cowford sculpture idea. My kids are still at the age where a big weird statue by the river would be the whole trip for them. A food hall down there with that view would get me downtown a lot more than I go now.

[Josh]

Nice sculpture. Not sure how how period correct that cowboy is though lol

[MakeDTjaxGre@tAgain]

@OspreyGrad Those renderings are top notch. Love the way you transformed and incorporated the sculptures into a really nice waterfront setting. I like your perspective and the thought you put into it. If only this could actually be implemented. 

With all you've done, have you considered how it would tie into the sports and entertainment district - with the parking lot next to Asado Life as well as Lot J and former fairgrounds and surround areas? Just wondering if you had a vision for it.

[OspreyGrad]

Here is what I envision for the Lot J and the former Jacksonville Fairgrounds property at the Sports and Entertainment District.

Lot J Property: Mixed-Use Entertainment & Residential Hub
Description: A vibrant, urban district featuring a boutique hotel, high-density residential towers, open-air plazas, and integrated retail/dining that bridges downtown Jacksonville to the stadium district.

Former Fairgrounds Property: Civic Exhibition Hall & Multipurpose Center
Description: A state-of-the-art exhibition, convention, and trade hall that can handle massive regional conventions, indoor sports events, and overflow festival footprints while maintaining strong visual continuity with Lot J.

Here is an overall view of the area


Here is the mixed-use development which shows the boutique hotel over to the back left and the two mixed use residential towers and the retail/dining on the first floor. The gathering center features an amphitheater.


A lower view of Lot J at night.


Here is a view of the new convention center behind the baseball stadium and additional space for exhibits and indoor sporting events.


And the Stadium of the future. I made the roof open to reveal the seating and football field inside. It will have a fully covered roof using a transparent high-tech ETFE material.

[jaxlongtimer]

^ Osprey, more great renderings.  I do wonder where all the cars are supposed to park for these venues though.  Can't count on JTA to fill the gap  !

[OspreyGrad]

Again, I appreciate the kind words. I'll try to provide some entertainment here on the board to keep people's moods light.

Imagine if JTA invested in developing tram lines instead of NAVI or even the Skyway in the urban core. Where would we be now? I know that public transportation isn't known to be profitable, but trams are a proven commodity. It would have provided a defined budget and could be installed piecewise where it is needed. Upfront costs are higher than buses but they will outlast them by many decades from wear and tear of the roads and the wheels that tread on them. Here are some areas that I would like to see them running.

Riverside Avenue stop with the proposed Riverside tower in the background


Northbank with proposed and imagined towers along East Bay Street


In front of the Sports District's imagined Lot J development along East Bay Street


Traveling towards the Sports and Entertainment District along Duval Street