A. Philip Randolph: Creating a Vibrant Corridor

[Metro Jacksonville]

A. Philip Randolph: Creating a Vibrant Corridor



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.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/839

[Steve]

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.

[thelakelander]

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).

[BridgeTroll]

It is a cool looking street... A little clean up... and probably police protection... and it could be a very walkable entertainment district.

[Ocklawaha]

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

[Pavers]

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

[RiversideGator]

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.

[thelakelander]

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.

In the form of a museum showcasing his works would have been nice.

[RiversideGator]

Agreed (as to both Lake and SDare)

[Ocklawaha]

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

[rjp2008]

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.

[thelakelander]

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).

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.

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.

That must have been Ock's group.

[Ocklawaha]

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

[I-10east]

Great pics Ock like always.

[ariane77]

What was the citizen/resident feed back, if any?