Duval County Courthouse: Still stumbling in the Dark

[MattnJax]

Mayor Peyton is seeking stimulus dollars for the courthouse from the proposed stimulus 2 plan.  We as citizens should force this on the next administration.  Let's make this courthouse vertical and sell the land around it.  It's downtown.  I dare to find a courthouse in any city our size that has the same footprint?? 

I wish we could, but it looks like the courthouse is about to break ground, and the Peyton administration doesn't leave office til 2011.

[tufsu1]

I dare to find a courthouse in any city our size that has the same footprint?? 

I'll take the dare...how about all the federal buildings in Washington D.C.

[coredumped]

I just saw on CH4 that the courthouse has been (again) delayed, and that they're not breaking ground anytime soon. I caught the end of it so I don't any anymore details, did anyone else catch the 6pm ch4 broadcast?

[RiversideGator]

I dare to find a courthouse in any city our size that has the same footprint?? 

I'll take the dare...how about all the federal buildings in Washington D.C.

And how well do those integrate into the surrounding areas and aid in creating vibrancy on the streets surrounding them?  The federal buildings in DC which do not attract tourists create a dead zone around them IMO.

[ProjectMaximus]

I dare to find a courthouse in any city our size that has the same footprint?? 

I'll take the dare...how about all the federal buildings in Washington D.C.

Not even comparable:

1) DC metro area is four times our metro population
2) DC still has that height ordinance (for now)
3) Those aren't new buildings...if DC were taking proposals for a new courthouse today, I'd imagine they'd plan on using the land area more effectively, considering how concerned they've been about running out of space.

[thelakelander]

I think there would be less complaints if the complex grounds included a mix of uses that attracted people to the area.  Many of the DC federal buildings include street level dining options and well designed public spaces & courtyards.  The blocks are also mixed with museums, galleries, memorials, spots for street vendors to operate and retail uses (ex. old post office).  Although it may not bustle at night like a U Street, Adams Morgan or Georgetown, its a far cry from whats taking place locally.

DC's old post office is located in the middle of several federal buildings.


A true urbanite has to love the way DC's federal buildings were designed not to waste any land.  If designed in a similar manner with respect towards the pedestrian, our courthouse could be the same height and still consume less land.

[Lunican]

Ground Won't be Broken Early in Duval Courthouse Project

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- The site of the future Duval County Courthouse still sits empty. There was supposed to be some work going on at the site by now. That's what Mayor John Peyton said a couple of months ago.

Instead, the property looks the same. There's no construction equipment, no construction crews. The reason: because the City has decided to wait on breaking ground until the Spring.

Brian Baldwin has been waiting years to see the new courthouse. "Some day it will happen. When, it's a crapshoot, but I hope I can hang on until it does."

Baldwin set up his hot dog sidewalk business yards from the site, because he thought there would be a courthouse by now. "The key to my business is walk-by traffic," which he says is slim these days.

Full Article:
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=127500&catid=3

[thelakelander]

I bought a few dogs from this guy last week.  He told me he has been waiting on the courthouse for nearly seven years.  By the way, he's got some of the cheapest hotdogs in downtown.  A $1.00 for one or two, a drink and a bag of chips for $3.00.

[Jason]

I wonder if Peyton is starting to rethink things again... I'd be suprised if this thing starts before 2010.

Lake, you gotta stop by and see "JagMan" off of 17 on Wabash across from the VyStar.  Best in town and same prices.

[thelakelander]

Its probably gone up in price again.  Who knows, maybe that's what they really want that transit money for.

Thanks for the "JagMan" tip.

[tufsu1]

This was mentioned a few weeks back...its not Peyton's fault....

the new City Council Chairman (Ronnie Fussel) asked him to delay groundbreaking until they could get a firm fixed price from the contractor....apparently that will be about 3 months because they'll need to get agreements from all the subs.

[thelakelander]

Thanks for the update.

[Steve]

Unbelieveable.  At this point, I'm not sure we shouldn't wait until July 2011 to let someone get a crack at this thing.  This has been such a disaster.  I don't blame Fussell for wanting a price.  Peyton hasn't exactly been one to trust on this project.

I'm going to lauch when Peyton tries to hold a ribbon cutting ceremoney on a building 70% complete.  I can just seen scaffolding in the background, and his news conference being interrupted by the sound of cutting metal.

[brainstormer]

tufsu 1, I think you are the only member on here who consistently defends Peyton on everything.  Are you really Peyton in disguise, just defending yourself? 

[heights unknown]

He's Peyton in the Closet; Come out of your closet Mr. Mayor (Peyton) and let us see your inner most being.

Heights Unknown