Urban Connectivity: State & Union

[Metro Jacksonville]

Urban Connectivity: State & Union



In the past, they’ve been viewed as the great synchronized dividers that, due to freeway-style automobile traffic patterns and volume, severs the connection between Springfield and downtown. Going along with national redevelopment trends, both Downtown and Springfield neighborhoods are now enjoying a period of residential resurgence and revitalization within their boundaries. At the same time, both still struggle to find solutions that will jump-start their retail sectors. Over the past few weeks, we’ve discussed how the simple idea of connectivity can stimulate the revitalization process. Today, Metro Jacksonville gives a few reasons why we believe both of these communities should work together to take advantage of State   Union’s most damaging obstacle to developing a pedestrian friendly core… the traffic count.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/281

[Tracy]

Lakelander,
I never even considered how combining the populations from the surrounding neighborhoods and the traffic that goes through Union/State everyday almost 24/7. It would be an excellent idea to build retail there. We have been talking for a while about the need for a residential base to support retail downtown. There is a gold mine in this area!!! Have you presented this to city officials and if so what was there response. Oh yeah and how is the new Winn Dixie project coming?

[Tracy]

Oh yeah and do you think that the Hogan's Creek area could be developed into something like the San Antonio riverwalk considering the combined residential base this area provides?

[thelakelander]

Many Downtown and Springfield advocates believe Hogans Creek is the "glue" to bringing Springfield and Downtown together.  Btw, the next article on Urban Connectivity will be about Hogans Creek and its importance to both Downtown and Springfield.

[JUSTDAVE]

I believe if the new i-10 &95 interchange goes as well as planned much of the 70,000 now using those streets will go mlk instead even if it means a longer drive ON OFF TRAFFIC HOURS I ALREADY USE IT INSTEAD OF CUTTING THROUGH TOWN

all the small theatres have closed and been destroyed on the westside what about moving a theatre downtown I AM NOT SAYING IT BECOMES TINSELTOWN but it could help downtown

[Steve]

To me, FCCJ could be the key in this, if their campus was designed with an urban environment in mind.

[thelakelander]

I have a master plan of the FCCJ downtown campus.  I'll see if I can find it.

[Beloki]

If Hogan Creek really can turn into something like San Antonio Riverwalk......You will create a magnet for downtown development. If you focus on that and create the possibilities for the surrounding area's (no red tape, private development and city willing to sell some land/property)....

I really like this idea!

[thelakelander]

Here's the FCCJ Downtown Campus master plan:

[Steve]

Well, it was better than I was expecting, but not great.

[thelakelander]

The change of a few building locations can make a huge difference at street level.  Shift the proposed building to the corner of State & Laura and shift JTA's proposed Laura Street Business Center to face Laura and now you have buildings with activities to visually pull pedestrians across State & Union.  Shift FCCJ's proposed pedestrian plaza to front Laura and now the mid block is a place that draws pedestrians, pushing activity closer to Hogans Creek and Springfield.

[Steve]

Oh, and we need to explain that a corner lot facing a park is not the place in the garage for maintenance and storage equipment.

[thelakelander]

This could partially be the result of the design team that put the plan together.  After all, if your hired professionals can't get it right, for the most part you're in trouble and locally most projects have been designed without any thought on how they fit and help the environment they go up in.

Btw, the entry improvements and two level addition along State Street is now under construction.

[Jason]

The good thing is that it looks like their plan allows for a possible future expansion of the skyway though the campus.


Also Lake, the building you moved could also have a mirrored copy on the north end of the circular park.  Laura Street would then look great with a few small retail outlets and eateries built into the school buildings.  Could also be a small money maker for the campus.

[thelakelander]

Most definately.  By making that area of the campus a desination spot for students, the problem with linking Downtown and Springfield by foot, will be erased.  The college then becomes an urban cross-over anchor that helps stimulate more positive activity around its campus, as opposed to being in the middle of no-man's land.

Barton and the JEDC are in the midst of trying to implement a "horizontal" game plan for redevelopment.  A major key to any "horizontal" plan is to make sure all new developments coming on line in the core are designed to promote that theme.  FCCJ has plans to expand.  IF the JEDC and DDRB take control and discuss their master plan with them, this would be a great opportunity to take advantage of "vertical" development that enhances the JEDC's mission of "horizontal" progress, at the expense of FCCJ, since they will eventually spend money to do something there anyway.

By the way, even if the college does not want to lease retail space on it's property, just as much activity can be generated by shifting something like the campus bookstore, cafeteria or library to Laura Street to front a "student commons" area.


Detroit's Wayne State University's campus bookstore is operated by Barnes & Noble, fronts a public street and is open to the public as well as the students


The campus garage next door features a small retail spot at street level, that is now occupied by a restaurant catering to the college crowd.