Downtown Jax: The Urban Facelift Project

[jason_contentdg]

We’ve been tinkering around with the idea of doing a virtual facelift to Downtown Jacksonville and the surrounding urban neighborhoods for a while now. Usually what happens is we will be driving, or better yet walking along one of the downtown streets and see a building with great “bones,” but for whatever reason has either fallen to disrepair, been neglected, or had some unattractive additions over the years. Of course then we’d have to share ideas on how we think the building could be made to look more attractive and in turn make the area more attractive.

The first project is at 53 Union Street.

http://www.contentdg.com/blog/?p=1020

[thelakelander]

I like it.  Great work and great blog.

[Cliffs_Daughter]

Nice job!  I'm really interested in what you choose to do next. 

[hooplady]

Very nice.  What's so great is that the changes are so simple and so subtle - like extending the existing concrete block planters to make a screen to replace the chain link fence.  So...doable.

[Jason]

Great work.  Simple upgrade but a massive improvement.

[fsu813]

that's cool !

[Deuce]

Wow! Add a bike rack in that little green area in the front and slap some banners on the light pole advertising the upcoming downtown event and we're there.

To take this thing to the next level, I would estimate the project costs to make this a reality and I would estimate the increased tax revenue from increased property values that can be realized.

[BridgeTroll]

Very nice!  I will be looking forward to future virtual facelifts!

[fsujax]

Very cool. It's amazing how small improvements can make a BIG difference.

[Jerry Moran]

Before starting any downtown renovation project, the entire area should be tented to destroy pests and vermin.

[tufsu1]

where are they located...on Laura Street by any chance...should I call Cathi Carson from CBS47?

[urbanlibertarian]

As a downtown resident, I resent being referred to as "pests and vermin".  The truth hurts. 

[jason_contentdg]

Thanks for the comments and kind words.  We're definitely wanting to keep the changes we show in these virtual facelifts as simple and as economical as possible, that's really one of the only rules we've given ourselves. 

Deuce, you've brought up a couple great points....and I love the idea of the bike rack being implemented in that spot.  We should have definitely caught that!  But, that's one of the reasons we are doing this, to start a conversation and hear some ideas of what people think would make these buildings more attractive and more friendly to their surroundings.

I also like the value estimates angle and we've discussed maybe doing that, but right now our focus is on the design visualization aspects.  That's not to say we would never do that or let someone else work on that part of it.

We're going to do an Urban Facelift Project at the very least, once a month.  We've got a few buildings already lined up in the downtown area, including Springfield, Murray Hill, and the Beaver Street area west of I-95.

Also, we'd love to hear about any buildings that you would like to add to the list.

[fatcat]

Joe, very nice work. You got me really excited. It would be really nice if we can make it reality. Are you an architect or General contractor?

[jason_contentdg]

Thanks Fatcat.

We're small design/build firm, however we generally focus on the design aspect.