| A. Philip Randolph: Creating a Vibrant Corridor |
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| Friday, 11 July 2008 | |
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This weekend, the Jacksonville Chapter of The American Institute of Architects will host the First Annual Architecture Design and Planning Charrette. For its inaugural effort, the AIA has selected A. Philip Randolph Blvd, a major thoroughfare in the Sport Complex that may have the potential to be a thriving post-event destination with entertainment, restaurants, and other attractions.
A. Philip Randolph Blvd. - North of the expressway A. Philip Randolph Blvd. has been in a decades long struggle since the Race Riot of 1969. The riot was sparked by the shooting of an African-American male by a white truck driver on the street. When the male ran into a crowd of school children, the truck driver shot into the crowd, angering many residents and kicking off a full scale riot, leading to the closing of A. Philip Randolph by Mayor Hans Tanzler. This former lively district underwent an extensive street enhancement project a few years ago. Today, it is proof that street beautification projects alone won't bring life back to a commercial corridor.
A. Philip Randolph Blvd. - South of the Expressway The area south of the expressway viaduct is the central corridor of Jacksonville's Sports District.
Intended to bring the public together with architects and planning professionals, the event will be held Saturday, July 12, 2008 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Jacksonville Historic Society, 317 A. Philip Randolph Blvd. adjacent to the baseball grounds. The program will include a bus tour of A. Philip Randolph Blvd., historical perspectives, and breakout groups working on realizing the vision of the boulevard as a destination. A continental breakfast and lunch will be served. |
July 11, 2008, 10:14 am
Re: A. Philip Randolph: Creating a Vibrant Corridor
This could be interesting - the main problems I see is the physical divide of the expessway, and lack of builsing fabric south of the expressway. I can't wait to see what these guys come up with.
July 11, 2008, 10:21 am
Re: A. Philip Randolph: Creating a Vibrant Corridor
If I didn't have things to do before heading out to New York, I'd RSVP and attend. I hope they recommend retrofitting those new Sports District parking garages with retail space. At least then, you would give people a reason to walk down the street. Unfortunately, because of poor planning, whatever sprung up there would compete against East Bay and you would most likely end up with two subpar districts, instead of one vibrant one (at least until downtown densified).
July 11, 2008, 10:23 am
Re: A. Philip Randolph: Creating a Vibrant Corridor
It is a cool looking street... A little clean up... and probably police protection... and it could be a very walkable entertainment district.
July 11, 2008, 12:44 pm
Re: A. Philip Randolph: Creating a Vibrant Corridor
I will be hauling "The Streetcar Show" up to Randolph tomorrow... I'll remember my able assistant "GEORGE". Hope some of my friends are there!
http://jacksonvilletransit.blogspot.com/
Ocklawaha
July 11, 2008, 1:33 pm
Re: A. Philip Randolph: Creating a Vibrant Corridor
The Jax Children's Commission is the "anchor" tenant at the north end of that stretch, at the corner of Randolph and 1st. They will probably be a key to supporting any efforts - is anyone from JCC attending?
I'd be curious to hear a download of the AIA findings - will metrojacksonville give us readers a follow-up report on the event and any insights?
Thanks,
Pavers
July 11, 2008, 2:05 pm
Re: A. Philip Randolph: Creating a Vibrant Corridor
I have always felt that this corridor has tremendous potential. Plus, there are existing historic and attractive brick buildings there. You just need to rehab them, rejuvenate the surrounding neighborhood and it could be a heck of an entertainment destination. Of course, this is a 10-20 year project but it is doable.
As for streetcars, a Bay Street line could head east down Bay from Main, take a left on Randolph and then another left onto 1st and finally come back down Main to form a circle line. This would feed people to the sports district and could be a key catalyst the revitalization of this area.
On a somewhat related topic, I wish the City had kept this street as "Florida Avenue", it's historic name.
A. Phillip Randolph" was an historic figure but it doesnt exactly flow as well as "Florida Avenue". Perhaps another way could have been found to honor him.
July 11, 2008, 2:06 pm
Re: A. Philip Randolph: Creating a Vibrant Corridor
As for streetcars, a Bay Street line could head east down Bay from Main, take a left on Randolph and then another left onto 1st and finally come back down Main to form a circle line. This would feed people to the sports district and could be a key catalyst the revitalization of this area.
On a somewhat related topic, I wish the City had kept this street as "Florida Avenue", it's historic name.
A. Phillip Randolph" was an historic figure but it doesnt exactly flow as well as "Florida Avenue". Perhaps another way could have been found to honor him.
Its a shame how many structures have been destroyed over the past four years, though.
July 11, 2008, 2:24 pm
Re: A. Philip Randolph: Creating a Vibrant Corridor
A. Phillip Randolph" was an historic figure but it doesnt exactly flow as well as "Florida Avenue". Perhaps another way could have been found to honor him.
In the form of a museum showcasing his works would have been nice.
July 11, 2008, 3:08 pm
Re: A. Philip Randolph: Creating a Vibrant Corridor
Agreed (as to both Lake and SDare)
July 11, 2008, 7:22 pm
Re: A. Philip Randolph: Creating a Vibrant Corridor
Name unknown.... NOT GEORGE.
Of course I'll muddy this up. Phillip Randolph deserves the Street named for him and the City should shout its pride in his achievements. Florida Avenue was once a busy Streetcar line, and so I'm partial to the old street name as well. Consider if you will that we have several "Stupid" street names, like HIGHWAY AVENUE, or BOULVARD AVENUE. Might as well call it Street-Street! So if Highway became Florida Avenue, would that make Randolph acceptable? What if Highway became Randolph, then where the hell do we build the monuments and museums?
The museum? Oh you better believe it's got to be a fairly grand affair, as their MUST BE a couple of PULLMAN CARS there. BTW, historical community, I know where there is a bunch of them.
Ocklawaha
July 12, 2008, 4:00 pm
Re: A. Philip Randolph: Creating a Vibrant Corridor
I attended the event this afternoon.
There were several teams gathered that focused on different areas of development.
Some focused on creating more entertainment venues/hotel/attractions near the stadiums, while others considered essential needs of nearby community (post office, grocer, and other essential retail). Most of them hit on the need for a multi-modal transport hub at the base of the street (near the water). They mentioned other possibilities for the fairgrounds and nearby open space. The historical considerations were important to all obviously. They talked about a farmer's market near the overpass, something that could be immediately implemented. One made a pitch for a real rail streetcar.
July 12, 2008, 4:20 pm
Re: A. Philip Randolph: Creating a Vibrant Corridor
There were several teams gathered that focused on different areas of development.
Some focused on creating more entertainment venues/hotel/attractions near the stadiums, while others considered essential needs of nearby community (post office, grocer, and other essential retail). Most of them hit on the need for a multi-modal transport hub at the base of the street (near the water).
Transit has turned into a huge issue for many in our city today. When we first started the site, a few years ago, it seemed like we were the only ones out there.
That must have been Ock's group.
July 12, 2008, 9:03 pm
Re: A. Philip Randolph: Creating a Vibrant Corridor
Correction, all but one group mentioned a streetcar line, either on the North, South or the whole of Randolph.
One group sort of focused on just doing a neighborhood sort of thing with a Walgreens, Dollar store and a few infills.
ITEM NUMBER ONE as to times it was mentioned was the streetcar.
CLOSE SECOND a full farm market, usually on the waterfront, but some groups set it north of the freeway.
THIRD was the MASS TRANSIT HUB, with most calling for SKYWAY, STREETCAR, BUS, BRT
HOTEL ENTERTAINMENT complex would be third, with locations around the Randolph and Freeway interchange.
MICRO-BREWERY was very popular
STREETCAR BARN-MUSEUM very popular
RANDOLPH-PULLMAN museum popular
NEGRO LEAGUE Popular
The tour of the neighborhood was excellent, so was the lunch and complete agenda, eveything was in place, outlined and ready for crayons by the time we were seated. The streetcar was explained as NOT A PCT but Development Oriented Transit.
Most every group wanted to use it as the springboard for development.
Streetcar first... then the rest.
Yes I was there, but I wasn't in but ONE group of maybe 8...
STRONG TRANSIT SUPPORT at/on
RANDOLPH
RANDOLPH AND UNION
RANDOLPH AND BAY
RANDOLPH AND FIRST
Several plans to move the child thing out and go mixed or college with it. Several more to locate anchor museums at RANDOLPH and FIRST or WATERFRONT or both as anchors.
Mr. Blaylock? WE NEED TO TALK!
Ocklawaha
July 13, 2008, 11:23 pm
Re: A. Philip Randolph: Creating a Vibrant Corridor
Great pics Ock like always.
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