Duval County Courthouse: Still stumbling in the Dark

[heights unknown]

  - Lake leaving?  Boo hoo.

"Heights"

[MattnJax]

That Harris County Courthouse Tower in Houston sure looks good.

"Heights"

Yeah I thought so too. It'd be nice if our leaders decided to go vertical instead of the land-engulfing, monstrosity that's going to be built.

[Jason]

Although the current design is less than desireable, the impact this building, the transportation center, and Bay Street Station will have on LaVilla is massive.




Courthouse...  That is one BIG building

[thelakelander]

These graphics help illustrate how poor the planning and design of this courthouse structure really is.  This goes well beyond building placement and materials being used. 



There are serious questions that continue to remain unanswered. 

1. What happens with the left over spaces highlighted in red?  Will this become grass lots, surface parking, urban parks or sold off for additional private development?

2. If the space becomes parkland, will it be passive or active?  At this point, the last thing we need is more passive space downtown.

3. How does the design encourage pedestrian traffic from the areas highlighted in orange?  What type of integration occurs between the structure and Broad, Adams, Duval and Pearl Streets? 

Correctly addressing these questions will promote pedestrian synergy within a minimum 16 square block area.  Continuing to overlook or ignore them will result in the creation of several permanent pedestrian dead zones throughout LaVilla.  Its already littered with dead zones now.  If we're going to spend 1/2 billion here, lets make sure we get our monies worth.

[Ocklawaha]

If we kidnap our favorite urban planner and don't let him leave... is that bad? I do know a few Colombian's Lake!

OCKLAWAHA

[thelakelander]

This is the age of technology.  If I end up leaving, I'll be going to a place further along, in regards to urban planning, embracing well designed density and alternative forms of mass transit.  So expect to get flooded with more examples of how to do things right being posted on this site and other media outlets.

[copperfiend]

This is the age of technology.  If I end up leaving, I'll be going to a place further along, in regards to urban planning, embracing well designed density and alternative forms of mass transit.  So expect to get flooded with more examples of how to do things right being posted on this site and other media outlets.

That shouldn't be that difficult to find such a place.

[brainstormer]

I'm envious Lake.  I've about had it with this city, and I will be right behind you.  I'm sick of giving the morons who run this city my tax money.  I'd much rather support a city that has a vision and is planning for the future with wise growth and sound investments.

[heights unknown]

It's not the city's "per se" fault, it's the elected leaders and others that are in power, it is their fault.  You all stand behind Jacksonville and never give up; it might be you that will be elected or someone that you know from this forum that can change things for the better; don't give up on Jax.

Heights Unknown

[alta]

Lake,  the areas highlighted in red are going to be Jacksonville's newest pocket park.  The current pocket park at Monroe and Main is overflowing with the homeless.  We need a new place for them to hang out.  Seriously,  I agree with Heights Unknown.  There are pros and cons to living in Jax.  Mayor Peyton has a very low approval rating.  I think we will see some change in city leader the next few years.   

[RiversideGator]

This is truly horrible design and land use at its worst and the blame for this debacle should be laid at the feet of that Boy Wonder Of Incompetence, Mayor Peyton. 

BTW, I could live with a 4 block structure if it was beautiful like the Cannon designed courthouse but this garbage will ruin that end of downtown for decades.   

[Keith-N-Jax]

I'm envious Lake.  I've about had it with this city, and I will be right behind you.  I'm sick of giving the morons who run this city my tax money.  I'd much rather support a city that has a vision and is planning for the future with wise growth and sound investments.

I second this statement. Tax dollars are continually being wasted. Its always good to be positive and optimistic, but being realistic is what one should be here. Jacksonville and its leaders and the majority of residents dont care about a functional vibrant downtown. I've watched decades and decades past by with the same good old boy think big, but do small attitude here. This new courthouse--Lake, you mentioned about pedestrain traffic, well does the city know or care about what that means. Anyone seeking vibrant living, its not going to happen here,maybe, key word being maybe 30 to 40 yrs. How old will most of us be by that time? If you have the means and opportunity to look else where, do so, if not enjoy posting here.

[thelakelander]

Lake, you mentioned about pedestrain traffic, well does the city know or care about what that means.

There are those who talk a good game but when you continue to see stuff like this come online it makes you wonder if people are in over their heads.  There are good and bad examples in our peer cities all across this country and we still refuse to get it right.  There has been more focus on the design of the building itself instead of how it fits within the black hole it created. This is unfortunate, because it shows we have not learned from our planning mistakes of the 50s, 60s and 70s.

[jeh1980]

Lake, you mentioned about pedestrain traffic, well does the city know or care about what that means.

There are those who talk a good game but when you continue to see stuff like this come online it makes you wonder if people are in over their heads.  There are good and bad examples in our peer cities all across this country and we still refuse to get it right.  There has been more focus on the design of the building itself instead of how it fits within the black hole it created. This is unfortunate, because it shows we have not learned from our planning mistakes of the 50s, 60s and 70s.

Well, to be honest with you, I would beg to differ about our city planning of the past. A lot of what the city had done was not so bad considering their good intentions of making downtown a great place to visit. I don't think that the new courthouse design is all that bad either. Hopefully, the city may one day put something good around it like a fountain or a couple of low rise buildings. Keep the Faith!  

[Basstacular]

Please understand that I do not like the design of the future court house.  I am in favor of the vertical structure, which adds to our skyline and allows other development on the unused property.

However, I know that "E-Street" and the current entertainment / living options cannot and future enterprises will not take the risk to survive and thrive in that area as long as that decrepid courthouse remains. 

My point is that with all of the budget cuts and the 7+ year wait we have had for a new court house, I am ready for them to build.  I know it is not practical and I understnad many of the points you make for long term success with the proper design.  However, I quite frankly do not care about long term, because I do not see DT ever making it back if we do not have something drastic happen in the short term (relocating the court house).  I cannot see this project shelved for another unknown amount of years while the City redesigns it.  Simple logic for that is I do not think the City will build it if they have the opportunity to put this back on the shelf.  And though this could harm DT long term, it also could be just what we need for the short term that once again reenergizes people who are considering DT as a living/business location option.  I deal with perspective property buyer's on a daily basis and this court house hurts badly in trying to sell real estate in its vicinity.  If the goal is to boost our anemic DT population that currently exists, then something drastic must happen so "E-street" can develop with restuarants, night-life, shopping etc.  That will not happen as long as the court house sits there and once we know it is leaving residential and commercial projects will come.

Again, just my opinion, I hope others do not criticize me to harshly.