JRTC Greyhound Terminal Design Moving Forward

[Dog Walker]

I think the major consideration for the location was that Greyhound wanted a straight shot on and off of I-95 so that they did not have to weave around on city streets as they have to now.  Can anyone confirm that?

[thelakelander]

^That was mentioned as an excuse.  However, Adams only offers access to I-95, not from it.  Anyway, this all goes down the tubes because every block over there pretty much gets you on I-95 without weaving through downtown streets.  Shift them down to the skyway station site and the buses will have direct access to and from I-95.

[mbwright]

This is an example of a good, well used and comprehensive transportation center, including Greyhound.
Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center.


http://www.ci.santa-ana.ca.us/sartc/

San Diego has a nice one too, but I think this has already been discussed.  I think the city consistanly figues out the most expensive, and least effective way of doing something.  This effort is a prime example.

[tufsu1]

I'd take this with a grain of salt but it was told to the Mayor's transportation transition committee that Greyhound wanted to be next to I-95 and that it would create some construction jobs.  It was also mentioned that it would be too much trouble to go back and significantly modify the JRTC master plan without delaying construction of Greyhound.  It kind of came off to me as making bad excuses for not doing anything.  Nevertheless, even at this particular site, it still doesn't resolve the poor integration of the building's footprint into that particular downtown block.

I've even heard it stated that Greyhound specifically wanted to be bewteen Houston and Adams...thus the reason why it couldn't be moved to the block between Forsyth and Houston....even though the dimensions are similar and access to/from I-95 is equivalent.

[fsujax]

Surprised no one picked up on this. Many accolades from the DDRB on the design of the Greyhound Station, not so much for the 7-11 store.

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/downtowntoday.php?dt_date=2011-12-09

[thelakelander]

I must say, I'm not surprised by either after reading the DDRB staff report beforehand.  I'm also troubled by this comment:

Before the board approved the design other than the stamped concrete element, board Chair Andy Sikes commented on the final product.

“As an urban planner, I think this is a wonderful addition to Downtown. Based on the presentation, it looks like you’re driving by an arboretum, not a bus station,” he said.

As an urban planner, I don't view a bus station as a bad thing.  I'm actually fine with the existing one being where it is because it adds a little life to an otherwise depressing scene.  Nevertheless, we shouldn't be designing buildings in downtown to look like arboretums while driving by at 45 mph.  You don't reach vibrancy by creating more blocks designed for no pedestrian activity.  More care and consideration needs to be given to how our buildings, new and existing, integrate with the street and sidewalks at pedestrian scale. 

[Tacachale]

^Ennis Davis for Jacksonville City Council: The Right Man at the Right Time.

[tufsu1]

well oddly enough Andy Sikes (urban planner) is not a member of the American Planning Association

[tufsu1]

Surprised no one picked up on this. Many accolades from the DDRB on the design of the Greyhound Station, not so much for the 7-11 store.

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/downtowntoday.php?dt_date=2011-12-09

it's unfortunate that DDRB thinks the bus station is good...everyone involved should be less than enthusiastic with the design

[heights unknown]

So...the new Greyhound station will be left "hanging," all alone, naked, out to fend for itself with visitors and others waiting to transfer to other buses in our great city, looking at empty lots, no restaurants, stores, etc. nearby, and not to mention they will be given a completely negative image of Jacksonville. Yeah JTA buses and the Skyway will be available if they want to ride into downtown to view our empty city streets, office buildings and streets with absolutely NOTHING TO DO. Great plans for the bus station and the entire development JTA...as usual, you have dropped the ball without even spending any money for construction and very little for planning of this facility!

Heights Unknown

[dougskiles]

Is it within DDRB's authority to question the location of the bus station in DT, or just the architectural style and site plan?

[thelakelander]

I believe just the architectural style and site plan.

[tufsu1]

Is it within DDRB's authority to question the location of the bus station in DT, or just the architectural style and site plan?

sadly this is a done deal....the only thing holding it back is $5 million

[thelakelander]

At the very least I was wishful that the DDRB would make sure it had a functional streetedge. Considering that this was approved with flying colors, I truly believe DT will seriously struggle until there is a mental change regarding the importance of pedestrian scale environment, no matter what the use is. No amount of money thrown into a one trick pony development project will overcome the bad impact of poor pedestrian scale planning.

[Ocklawaha]

"Like a bunch of parrots chewing coca leaves, the JTA proclaims it, the council rubber stamps it, and the media outlets soil themselves in a frenzy of  volcanic, urgent conceit."  That is a great line!
I could be wrong, but are you giving JTA credit for some of FDOT's work/projects?

No doubt that FDOT is up to their arm pits in this quagmire.

It really makes no difference that these irresponsible goofs have convinced the local media to kiss their asses and salute, this station is not the first phase of a 'Regional Transportation Center.'  Call it what you will, but it is, and will be, an isolated bus station neither connected to the city nor to the other transportation modes in town. Consider when this station breaks ground, JTA, FDOT, GREYHOUND, et al, have just started the first and LAST segment of another Skyway.

Amazing that there are those within our city that still refer to Colombia as the 3Rd World! With each passing day I'm feeling the call of that Condor... 

LAKE, TUFSU, FSUJAX, I think we could have some fun in Medellin!

OCKLAWAHA