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As a result of a land swap between the City and Fidelity that threatens the future of Riverside Avenue's historic fire station, Jacksonville residents have gained more access to the river in the form of a 1.3 acre park with 28 public parking spaces.
The property under the Fuller Warren is in the process of being converted into an outdoor artist mall with vending space, public restrooms, an outdoor auditorium and public parking. The Artists' Mall is scheduled to be completed this summer. The city eventually plans to extend the Northbank Riverwalk a few blocks south to Memorial Park in Five Points. 
While the improvements should be viewed as an asset, there are some issues that remain to be addressed.
A. While a great visual focal and access point to the riverwalk, the public park becomes one of many passive recreational spaces within the downtown urban core. At some point, we'll need to invest in public parks that urban core residents can use for a multitude of activities.
This means that features such as tot lots, playing fields, courts, fountains, monuments, pavilions for picnics and gatherings and even retail/dining spaces in nearby buildings will need to play a more prominent role in our urban design planning.
B. The long term success of an artist mall under a bridge, displaced from general public view is highly questionable.
For example, the concept of an artist mall in conjunction with a public space would have made more sense in the park proposed between The Landing and the Times Union Center. A location such as this would be visible and lead to pedestrian interaction between the Landing shops and restaurants, Omni hotel guest and Performing Arts patrons. Now that this use will be placed under the Fuller Warren, we'll have to divert extra attention to treat the artist mall as an anchor destination, as opposed to a complementing destination that can feed off existing heavy foot and automobile traffic.
In general, the park and artist mall should boost the quality of the Northbank Riverwalk. However, they also show that we, as a city, may have a way to go in embracing the need for compact horizontal connectivity as a way to quickly stimulate urban synergy.
Article by Ennis Davis
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May 21, 2008, 5:51 am
Re: Public Access Improvements for Northbank Riverwalk
The area under the Fuller Warren should host an all-day Farmer's Market on Saturdays. Weren't there plans for that earlier?
May 21, 2008, 6:08 am
Re: Public Access Improvements for Northbank Riverwalk
Good article (as usual) Ennis.
Not sure there still couldn't be a farmer's market - why not?
My question - how do you keep Fidelity Plaza employees from parking in these new public parking spaces, and the ones coming online under the Fuller Warren? Will they be posted/closed until 9 or 10am?
May 21, 2008, 8:18 am
Re: Public Access Improvements for Northbank Riverwalk
Given the site layout, it would be a pretty small farmer's market that would be difficult to get trucks in and out. Also, how would that hold up against the real farmer's market on Beaver Street? Limiting duplicity was another reason we pushed for the location of the real farmer's market over a year ago when they asked the JEDC for money to relocate.
May 21, 2008, 8:40 am
Re: Public Access Improvements for Northbank Riverwalk
Given the site layout, it would be a pretty small farmer's market that would be difficult to get trucks in and out. Also, how would that hold up against the real farmer's market on Beaver Street? Limiting duplicity was another reason we pushed for the location of the real farmer's market over a year ago when they asked the JEDC for money to relocate.
Ideally, the Beaver Street market would have gone to DT or LaVilla or this location. However, there is a Greenville Farmer's Market similiar to Beaver Street, and also a Saturday market DT. The one DT is much smaller and more of a niche market.
Both have local produce, but the atmosphere and the offerings are more upscale at the DT location. Kind of how Publix differs from Winn Dixie. Also, the DT market has fresh baked items, and home decor stuff too to help differentiate it.
Each market attracts a different crowd, so they don't seem to compete against each other. The DT market has no permanant infrastructure. The police close off two blocks before daybreak and the vendors set up before 7:00 or so. The whole thing finishes around noon, and the street is reopened. Unlike the Fuller Warren site, there is no direct protection from the elements (other than the tree canopy).
Plus many people in Jax don't even know the Beaver St market exists, and even if they did, would not go there anyway because of the area's perception.
May 21, 2008, 8:55 am
Re: Public Access Improvements for Northbank Riverwalk
A group headed by Kitty Crenshaw is currently looking for space for a farmer's market in the Riverside area. The bridge arcade could be a good location. This will be a market for actual producers, not wholesalers like the market on Beaver Street. These will be small farms and CSAs and other small, organic growers, bakers, and artisans in the region, so truck space won't be an issue. At the last meeting we discussed getting the market ready for the first fall harvests in this area, which would be before Thanksgiving.
May 21, 2008, 8:57 am
Re: Public Access Improvements for Northbank Riverwalk
Wasn't the paved area under the Main Street Bridge, between MOSH and Treaty Oak Park, supposed to be an outdoor farmers/flea market? Today, outside of skateboarders, it sits empty most of the week.
Both have local produce, but the atmosphere and the offerings are more upscale at the DT location. Kind of how Publix differs from Winn Dixie. Also, the DT market has fresh baked items, and home decor stuff too to help differentiate it.
Where is the "downtown" Greenville market located, in relation with the rest of that city's downtown destinations? Is it visible from the street for people visiting or driving through the downtown core? Is it within walking distance of existing retail shops, restaurants, etc. or is it as isolated as a site under the Fuller Warren? Although I'd personally prefer one powerhouse market that's centrally located and offers everything, if a second smaller make-shift market is desired, it would be better off between the TU center and the Landing, Hemming Plaza or Hogan Street under the Skyway. At least then, people visiting are exposed to existing retail shops and restaurants in the area, which is what creating and benefitting from urban synergy is all about.
I would say this has more to do with limited to no marketing of the Beaver Street market. Its pretty much a "find-by-word-of-mouth" atmosphere. Nevertheless, compared to the location of Detroit's Eastern Market, which does pull in local residents and tourists because its heavily marketed, that section of town is Ponte Vedra.
May 21, 2008, 9:00 am
Re: Public Access Improvements for Northbank Riverwalk
Hopefully, they'll use the Fuller Warren since we've invested money in putting it there. Just make sure, they have ample signage from the streets because visibility from Riverside Avenue will be pretty poor.
May 21, 2008, 9:08 am
Re: Public Access Improvements for Northbank Riverwalk
Although privately owned, another spot that would be centrally located, is the triangle shaped lot where the Oak Street Lofts were once planned. Its the corner of Oak and Margaret Streets, right next to Mossfire Grill. The site's owner recently demolished the house so its as flat as a pancake now and is dead smack in the middle of the Publix shopping center and the Park Street strip.
May 21, 2008, 10:00 am
Re: Public Access Improvements for Northbank Riverwalk
Not to get off topic here, but as a forumer who was born, bred, and who lived in Jax for many years but is now an outsider living in Sarasota-Bradenton Florida, that picture of the Southbank is awesome from that viewpoint and angle. The Peninsula seems to almost, almost I say, dwarf Riverplace Tower; but the Southbank, with fewer skyscrapers but with a definitive skyline, seems to be on the way to becoming dense. If the St. John's is built next to Aetna, image what that skyline on Southbank will look like!
I applaud what Jax is doing with the Riverwalk project and the the Artist's Gallery/Possible Fleamarket underneath Fuller Warren; great idea and will be a big draw and a development catalyst for Riverside and the south end of downtown. My Jax looks good!
Heights Unknown
May 21, 2008, 10:03 am
Re: Public Access Improvements for Northbank Riverwalk
The park should be a nice spot to watch fireworks with the family.
May 21, 2008, 10:47 am
Re: Public Access Improvements for Northbank Riverwalk
Although this is Jacksonville and it will never happen because we have a goofy sign ordinance, great looking unique signage, possibly some kind of interesting archway type entrance on Riverside Avenue would be great. And it would be nice to give that little area a unique name, but I know that RAP and the city of Jax would die first....
And that's no disrespect to RAP.
May 21, 2008, 11:02 am
Re: Public Access Improvements for Northbank Riverwalk
That area has a distinct name, Brooklyn.
The work done on the riverwalk looks fantastic and the ideas proposed for the area under the bridge should serve it well, IMO. Also the new "trolly" route down Riverside Avenue should help to connect the park to both Downtown and Riverside residents. This park is the beginning of something great for the area.
May 21, 2008, 11:05 am
Re: Public Access Improvements for Northbank Riverwalk
The trolley only runs during weekday lunch hours. Does JTA have plans to extend the trolley's service?
The bridge is also a skip and a hop away from the Cummer. It would probably be a good idea to go ahead and extend the riverwalk south to connect with the Cummer. From the image below, it looks like there was a walkway here at some point a while back.
May 21, 2008, 11:08 am
Re: Public Access Improvements for Northbank Riverwalk
The JTA would be crazy not to extend the hours of the trolly. Isn't it their most popular line, already?
May 21, 2008, 11:14 am
Re: Public Access Improvements for Northbank Riverwalk
From what I was told, they don't and won't have the money to extend it anytime soon. I also wonder how ridership is coming along, since it now costs 50 cents each way.
May 21, 2008, 11:19 am
Re: Public Access Improvements for Northbank Riverwalk
Let me clarify my statement....
I didnt mean an archway type sign over Riverside Avenue, I meant over that section of the Riverwalk under the Fuller Warren so when you are driving by you are aware that it's a unique section of the Riverwalk. I mentioned RAP because, correct me if I'm wrong, isn't that the border of Brooklyn and Riverside?
I just think the idea is a very good one but needs to be signed as such.
May 21, 2008, 11:28 am
Re: Public Access Improvements for Northbank Riverwalk
It definately needs something visual catching along Riverside Avenue, or else you'll miss it. There's a pretty large parking lot between the actual artist mall area and the street.
May 21, 2008, 1:16 pm
Re: Public Access Improvements for Northbank Riverwalk
I just want to ask. Is the Riverside a part of downtown?
May 21, 2008, 1:27 pm
Re: Public Access Improvements for Northbank Riverwalk
No. Riverside is a part of the Riverside/Avondale Historic District.
May 21, 2008, 2:16 pm
Re: Public Access Improvements for Northbank Riverwalk
I absolutely agree that there are better locations for somehting like this, but I had read years ago that that was the plan for the under the Fuller Warren Bridge area. The best locatoin for a Jax DT Farmer's Market would be Laura Street between Hemming and the Landing. DVI use to do a Friday market under the Skyway, do they still?
Greenville's market is in the heart of Main Street corridor DT, so it is very visible.
May 21, 2008, 2:22 pm
Re: Public Access Improvements for Northbank Riverwalk
DVI's Friday market is held in Hemming Plaza.
May 21, 2008, 2:32 pm
Re: Public Access Improvements for Northbank Riverwalk
Both have local produce, but the atmosphere and the offerings are more upscale at the DT location. Kind of how Publix differs from Winn Dixie. Also, the DT market has fresh baked items, and home decor stuff too to help differentiate it.
Something missed in this is the REASON the food wholesalers and market is on Beaver Street at the union of all rail carriers. It's called freight rates. True, few if any still have rail service via sidings but they use the newer piggyback and container modes quite heavily. If they move away from the rails the freight rates can and will double or worse. One small Oklahoma City lost its rail service after a long fight and some dirty deals from the railroad itself. The Mayor told me the day the rail link was broken the rates for wheat and drill pipe went up 200%... Don't believe it? Call the manager, First National Bank, Fairview, Oklahoma.
There is still no reason a sattelite market couldn't be set up in any of these locations. Just not the main market and packing houses.
Love those new Parking Spaces! Trolley Fodder? Skyway Park-n-Ride? or .50 PCT replacement?
Here's a couple of Trolley Gateways that might make for something cool over Riverside Avenue, just add streetcar and a BILLION DOLLARS of new development. BTW we had such a "gateway" at the foot of Broadway(?) at the waterfront. But of course, we tore it down.
Ocklawaha
May 21, 2008, 2:56 pm
Re: Public Access Improvements for Northbank Riverwalk
Doubt it. Like larger markets in Detroit, Cleveland and St. Louis, the rail sidings for the market were removed decades ago. When relocation was discussed, the issue of rail proximity never came up. Besides, the potential relocation sites mentioned on this site were pretty close to existing rail, as well, if track proximity would have been a major issue.
May 21, 2008, 10:16 pm
Re: Public Access Improvements for Northbank Riverwalk
Impressive!! Very Creative. Will the new out door auditorium be like the sea walk pavilion?
May 22, 2008, 4:31 am
Re: Public Access Improvements for Northbank Riverwalk
I do love the way this part of the Riverwalk is taking shape. As an artist and as far the artist walk is concerned. With what little art that is purchased by the residents of Jacksonville. Not many artists can afford or are willing purchase the one million dollars liability insurance the city is going to require for artists to display their work there.
May 22, 2008, 9:32 am
Re: Public Access Improvements for Northbank Riverwalk
You need liability insurance to display art?!?!
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