Duval County Courthouse: Still stumbling in the Dark

[Metro Jacksonville]

Duval County Courthouse: Still stumbling in the Dark



$350 million finally approved, a third design team hired and four years later, the questions raised in this letter to our city officials still remain unanswered.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/813

[heights unknown]

Sadly it appears that they are nowhere near thinking about this issue or considering it in any way, shape or form.  As usual I think it will be up to Metro Jax to put a fire under their a** and give them ideas and impetus to help shape and make the best use of the land around the new Court House in that area.

Heights Unknown

[thelakelander]

• Courthouse consultant San Mousa says to expect to see visible signs of work on the new facility when drilling starts in August or September.

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/citynotes.php

[Jason]

I'll believe it when I see it.

[Driven1]

actually, i have infinitely more confidence (still have to be a little skeptical though) when someone from the Delaney administration speaks on the status of the courthouse.

[Jason]

No doubt.  Mousa seems like the guy to get it done.

[cibeles1]

this building is far too large and heavy, completely shattering west downtown's flow and fabric. not only would it take up too much space (regrettably none of it for outdoor public use), but the architecture is reminiscent of a parking garage facade meets a cheapened ancient greece. deplorable.

[TheProfessor]

Looks like the DDRB approved conceptual design.  I think they need to build this thing so 4 blocks of downtown can be accounted for.  I agree the design and footprint are horrible but life needs to move on. Lets get this thing done. If it had not changed by now I dont think it is going to any more.  Hopefully what is built around it will enhance what it lacks and they can make good use of that green space.

[thelakelander]

They really need to figure out what they are going to do with the remaining portion of the courthouse land.  If not, its going to be a disconnected building that fails to stimulate the type of development that urbanities and downtown advocates are hoping for.

[brainstormer]

I completely agree Lake.  It would be great to see a vision and development plan for perhaps a 2 block radius surrounding the new courthouse.  The city owns much of the land and the rest is pretty much deserted fields or crumbling buildings.  We should be actively pursuing development now that will help create a vibrant area once the courthouse opens.  The vision should be high density mixed use development, and include height requirements, retail and restaurant needs, surface parking restrictions, residential needs, office space and landscaping/streetscaping requirements.  Lets take each surrounding block, give it a number and assess the needs and vision.  What buildings need to be restored and incorporated into development, what buildings can go.  Could we create an economic district that includes special financing incentives for possible developments, including small business loans.  We also need a plan for how the courthouse will be served with mass transit.
Why do I have this gut feeling that there is absolutely no thought going in to what happens once the courthouse is built.  Will we be stuck with a whole bunch of surface parking lots and empty storefronts?  Will the employees/lawyers and prosecutors have easy access to coffeehouses for breakfast, cafes for lunch and fine dining for the evening?  Will the area be walkable?  We can't assume just because it is downtown that it will be pedestrian friendly.  I mean, this is common sense.  Does Peyton even work anymore?  I swear he got washed away with Fay.  He got part of his Jacksonville Journey, not what?  Someone light a fire under the man.  Times are tough, so we need to get creative and be a little upfront about what this city needs and wants.

[Ocklawaha]

I completely agree Lake.  It would be great to see a vision and development plan for perhaps a 2 block radius surrounding the new courthouse.  The city owns much of the land and the rest is pretty much deserted fields or crumbling buildings.  We should be actively pursuing development now that will help create a vibrant area once the courthouse opens.  The vision should be high density mixed use development, and include height requirements, retail and restaurant needs, surface parking restrictions, residential needs, office space and landscaping/streetscaping requirements.  Lets take each surrounding block, give it a number and assess the needs and vision.  What buildings need to be restored and incorporated into development, what buildings can go.  Could we create an economic district that includes special financing incentives for possible developments, including small business loans.  We also need a plan for how the courthouse will be served with mass transit.

Still think this is the lightning that sets the fire ablaze in LaVilla. It would be a shame to sacrafice this segment of our city in order to boost Water Street alone. Look at the TWO lines and imagine the infill.

[Lunican]

The fences have been removed from the courthouse site. Is something about to start happening or have they just completely given up?

[copperfiend]

Maybe they needed somewhere for homeless people to start garbage can fires.

[JaxNole]

Maybe they sold the fencing for Black Friday shopping funds.

[copperfiend]

Is there a City Council trip anytime soon? Maybe they sold the fencing to finance a trip to China for John Peyton. Are they going to use the fencing for the next Jaguar game? They could put it on the street so nobody can get to the downtown business.