Urban Infill: Unity Plaza

[brainstormer]

http://hallmarkpartners.com/Website/Building%20the%20Site%207.04/video.html

Not sure how many of you have seen this, but it does a nice job of explaining the city/private partnership that is taking shape on Riverside.  I like the idea of the performance space and can see this becoming an extension of RAM on Saturdays as well as weeknight performances for Riverside and Downtown folks.  I'm hoping with the recent release of this video, that groundbreaking will occur shortly.

Now all we need is a residential component, hopefully an apartment/condo mix, to this area and we will have the beginning of a true mixed use neighborhood.  I would move to this area in a heartbeat.

[thelakelander]

Great video and nice find.  Due to the market, the residential component has been replaced by the 150 room Courtyard by Marriott Hotel.  If they can pull it off, this will be a significant boost for Brooklyn.  However, I do think it is a stretch to call this a TOD, because the Riverside PCT will make a stop there.  This development is clearly not shaped around or dependent on mass transit to ensure its success.

[brainstormer]

Lake, I laughed at the exact same part in the video.    By the definition of TOD, I'm pretty sure it refers to fixed mass transit such as skyway, streetcars, commuter rail.  Correct?  Aside from the TOD thing, I thought the video was well done and I'm hoping they can land another national or local business to fill office space.

I think the addition of a quality hotel is a great thing for the area.  I'm sure it will see frequent use from the surrounding businesses (St. Joe Company, Everbank, BCBS, Fidelity National, Haskell, etc.).  The hotel can probably partner with the YMCA to add to its guest amenities.  I'm actually surprised the restaurant isn't in one of the first two phases because I think it is a fantastic spot for a restaurant and would be frequented by not only the hotel guests, but also the hundreds of office workers in the area.  This development will hopefully help fill the retail in the Everbank building.  I can just picture people walking from RAM on Saturdays down this stretch to hear live music at Unity Plaza, as well as hotel guests walking to RAM.  It will put people on the sidewalks!!!

Despite all of the positive, I'm still wishing for...
1.  A skyway extension to be worked into the development.  Couldn't the extension go behind the buildings along Magnolia Street and then end at BCBS?  Getting it closer to RAM and the office buildings would be so worth it and it would not disrupt the view Hallmark wants from the street.  It would also help their TOD argument a bit. 
2.  A re-use of the old fire station.  I wish someone could come to an agreement with Fidelity.  It would be perfect for a really cool restaurant or at least a Firehouse Subs!  It's a great location, and I'm sure the development that will infill the parking lot in the future could work it into the design.
3.  A residential component of some sort somewhere in Brooklyn.  There just isn't a nice place to live in this part of town.  I think despite the economy, it would still do well because of its location and wonderful amenities within walking and biking distance.
4.  More grass space in Unity Plaza.  I don't see why some parts of the amphitheater can't be grass as I would rather sit on a blanket covering grass, than on hard pavers.
5.  More building height and less surface parking in the development.  I hate the big paved lot, but at least it is not facing the street.  I would have liked to see some underground parking for the buildings or a small parking garage.  I guess the open lot could allow development in the future, but I just think it is smart to build underground parking now, and isn't "green" parking included with LEED certification?

[tufsu1]

The video doesn't say the project is a Transit Oriented Development....it says it is a TRANSPORTATION oriented development, which seems fair to me.

I recently learned new terminology that I like much better than TOD....its called Mobility Oriented Design/Development, or MOD....the idea is that a project or area provides various mobility options....and since all transit riders are pedestrians (or cyclists) first, this is an importat concept.

Thinking about 200 Riverside...it has good highway access, wide sidewalks (and the riverwalk) for pedestrians, bike lanes on Riverside Avenue, and transit connections via the trolley and eventually maybe the Skyway....as long as the connectivity of the overall area is good, this would definitely qualify as an MOD.

[thelakelander]

An MOD sounds a lot better and the description fits the project.

[thelakelander]

Brainstormer, I'll have to go back and look at the drawings, but I thought the lot was actually a parking garage hidden from the street by the buildings.

[GatorShane]

Very cool video. I love the water wall concept. Lets hope this gets doon soon.

[Charles Hunter]

Nicely done video, hope they can start turning dirt soon.

[fsujax]

Nice video. But, I doubt this thing will ever break ground. Maybe when and if it ever does, there will be a real streetcar, then you call it whatever makes you happy, MOD, TOD, TAD, TAJ..........

[Bewler]

Well at least something is happening (hopefully) with this area.

man...........i was hoping for a wal-mart.

Or maybe a parking lot/garage?