^That would make more sense. If I were them, I probably wouldn't worry about adding a parking garage in the JRTC plans until there's some real TOD that makes it worthwhile. Between the convention center and JTA's lots between Forsyth and Houston, there's more than enough underutilized spaces to take advantage of first.
Also can someone please mention the architecture of this building is horrendous! Just saw a TED talk last night talking about better architecture happening in America but apparently Jacksonville has missed the bus on that one
(sorry couldnt help myself)
Yes, the architecture comes off as cheap and horrendous. Not exactly what a community should want for something that will essentially become a gateway to the city for the people who utilize it. Btw, the existing Greyhound station has a lot more character and a superior location, with the Skyway literally across the street. Why are we moving it again? I know its too late, but would we not be better off, renovating it and the sidewalk areas surrounding it?
http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM54BV_Greyhound_Bus_Station_Jacksonville_FloridaSeriously, when you think about it, the station has been there since 1956 (58 years). Fix it up and it can be everything that modern facilities in other communities are today. Is the root of this more about some classes of people being afraid of their neighbors and economic classes that can't afford to fly out of JIA?
Isn't the convention center business dying, or at least in decline for the last decade?
Good points Ock, looking at the floorplans for the current Greyhound station, it would actually make a great homeless center! Wouldn't that be ironic.
Also, I thought Greyhound was already locked into this spot? And the walking distance isn't too big of a deal to me, I mean how many people out of those 200 would actually be going to Greyhound? Of course, in my opinion this will never be built anyway. Eventually housing will rise and a developer will sweet talk the land away and then, finally, LaVilla will become a community again. Maybe like Brooklyn did, just in 2025.
Density has a larger impact on foot traffic. For example, fix up Greyhound at its current location and places like 7-11 and Pita Pit will be better off. Remove the only 24/7 destination in the vicinity and you risk creating another section of the core where most businesses don't open outside of M-F daytime office hours.
Anyway, as far as the JRTC (or any transit center) goes, the closer the modes are together, the better chance of keeping supporting retail spaces open. You'd also cut down on the amount of money it would take to construct all these terminals. Going compact, you'd create opportunities for shared waiting rooms, ticketing areas, restrooms, etc.