Transform Jax Update

[Metro Jacksonville]

Transform Jax Update



The advocacy organization is pushing for the improvement of two of our urban core's most pressing issues, Downtown and Transportation - and more so, specific components of each. In the coming months, and years, it hopes to see submitted ideas usher in new change and the discussion of such transformation heightened. An update of what the group is currently working on, and a candid peek of the process.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-jul-transform-jax-update

[Charles Hunter]

Very interesting ... I think the ideas might have flowed more freely with different beverages!  Just kidding. 
Great work, TJ!

[Jaxson]

The only point that I would dispute is about Amtrak.  Amtrak needs to move ASAP.  The Clifford Lane facility is a hole and must be replaced immediately!!!

[iloveionia]

I love the hanging garden in Seattle.  Landscape green makes so much palatable.

[fsujax]

I am hearing the Amtrak relocation may be on the fast "track"!

[Jaxson]

I am hearing the Amtrak relocation may be on the fast "track"!

I hope so, because I have been hearing our city leaders dithering over this issue for years.  They seem not to really give a damn.

[Charles Hunter]

We have new city and DOT leaders - only the JTA leadership is the same.

[duvaldude08]

We have new city and DOT leaders - only the JTA leadership is the same.

I agree Charles. If anybody holds anything up at this point, it is JTA.

[Ocklawaha]

The only point that I would dispute is about Amtrak.  Amtrak needs to move ASAP.  The Clifford Lane facility is a hole and must be replaced immediately!!!

They have allowed WAY too much time to do a streetcar 'study'. Granted I used to do the same damn thing, but lets face some FACTS, Water Street is Water Street and NOTHING else gives us access to the waterfront, Riverwalk or Landing like Water Street does. Bay doesn't work because as the organization itself says it should remain ONE-WAY, and East Bay will eventually be Skyway Territory because if it's not, then yes, I too would probably say tear it down. Transit without continual expansion is DEAD. So we still need 2 years to do this? Wait and we run the risk of deadwood in the mayors seat in a 2015 election... another Peyton and we might just as well call the coroners office to come and haul off the downtown. A couple of other streets should be easy to route as well, Park or Myrtle? Are we REALLY wanting to spend 2 years on a study to do exactly what we already know must be done? Beyond Forrest there might be grounds to study Park, or Riverside, or Oak, or some combination thereof. At the other end how can we NOT use Newnan? So we charge off the end of Independence-Water Street and tip toe through the tulips? East Beaver Street and the alignment for the street across Hogans Creek? No choice here either if we are ever to take advantage of the straight shot to gateway on the abandoned - city owned railroad right-of-way. If we could use the Sax Seafood property (also city owned and right off I-95 with easy on/off) then conceivably we might run a line up Davis or Lee to that location. (You shortchange the whole project if we don't THINK tourism on a large scale in addition to transit). It's all pretty simple.

Funny, you know that in 1882 The Pine Street Railway was chartered, the company changed its name when Pine Became Main Street and operated from then on as the Main Street Railway Company. B Upton built the railway from Bay to a point far out in the woods at 8Th street in Springfield, less then a year conception to completion. This grew to become known as 'the most beautiful streetcar line in the world.'  In 1884, The Jacksonville and La Villa Street Railway Company was organized in April, and laid tracks on Newnan, from Bay, to Forsyth, to Adams, to Myrtle. The track ended at Burch’s Brickyard... guess they should have devoted a few years to study first? We still have those systems, their bones are rotting beneath our feet.  This isn't rocket science here boys.

OCKLAWAHA    

[Jaxson]

We have new city and DOT leaders - only the JTA leadership is the same.

Why is JTA dragging their feet?  What do they have against Amtrak moving back downtown?  At this rate, I will be able to get the senior discount when I take my first train trip out of downtown...

[duvaldude08]

We have new city and DOT leaders - only the JTA leadership is the same.

Why is JTA dragging their feet?  What do they have against Amtrak moving back downtown?  At this rate, I will be able to get the senior discount when I take my first train trip out of downtown...

JAxson from my understanding, they have also been having conversation with Amtrack as well. The greyhound part is just moving faster.

[tayana42]

The elephant in the plan is mass transit. Build that streetcar line!!!

[dougskiles]

Any more updates from Transform Jax?  What have you guys been doing lately?

[thelakelander]

We're currently helping Habijax roll out their investment strategy in New Town.  It's a real exciting project that will involve a mix of preservation and infill projects in one of Jacksonville's most transit dependent and economically distressed inner city neighborhoods.

[Kay]

Really cool beans.