Roosevelt Square might gain First Watch, The Daytime Café

[Florida Power And Light]

I will say, that is a much better internal road layout.

Please elaborate.

[duvaltilidie]

@duvaltilidie:
The site will have a more efficient internal roadway redesign with something similar to a roundabout at Panera. If you've been in Jacksonville recently you've noticed the near constant rain ...

Yeah the rain has been wild.. I work at the Publix and even the loading dock has been flooding lately. Seeing the layout for the parking lot makes a little bit more sense, but still makes me question just how they plan on moving all that buildup of water with no retention ponds now. The Roosevelt river where you drive down from Panera fills up super quick.

[thelakelander]

I will say, that is a much better internal road layout.

Please elaborate.

In the past, there was no direct route from north to south through the length of the shopping center. When revamped, there will be a main road from the signal at Roosevelt near Metro Diner, through the property, ending at San Juan near Ulta. That's a huge improvement for internal circulation.

[ricker]

I will say, that is a much better internal road layout.

Please elaborate.

As a local I'm thankful the Lakeside Drive reconstruction occurred in advance since traffic is thick in this area. I also wonder how the canal reconstruction helps the area of Fremont Avenue it's intended to drain..?

Also, Mr. Webster, the apron between Longhorn and KFC/TacoHell is closing which will help the augmented traffic oval (reduced in reality from site plan shown above likely to boost parking space counts) and will better diffuse auto traffic to/fro Appleton & Fair through the site.

To elaborate further, since you know Roosevelt since "1979",  certainly you might recall the previous carwash location nearer to ChicFilA, well now that the carwash has been removed entirely, the southern entrances have been reconfigured to access Lakeside Drive on each end of the newly replaced little bridge near the now closed Wabash entrance near the JAG dog hotdogs guy, now curbed. These 2 closures, paired with newly streamlined north-south flow through the site are well timed to not completely exacerbate site congestion.

The pedestrian only "Alley" is coming along nicely with a portion of old facade removed next to Orange Theory to punch through the "back" of the "West Marine" bldg..

The easternmost residential parcel shown at top of site plan (2 lots, 1 house recently demo'd, 1 lot was recently a retention pond where a house was removed 20 years ago from Appleton across from Weise natural food medicine shop) are up for administrative review and may see new construction first on the resi side [lookout for 3 levels multifamily].

Thankfully Fair St. r.o.w. left green, for now. Nose-in parking works for Ingleside Ave behind the brick and Mellow, but not here. Not now.

I forget who said it here first,  but I agree, apartments ON TOP OF some of these new buildings would be a trip. (More like 1661 Riverside, but where Belk was) One can dream.

Next up should be demo of CiCi's "pizza"/Curves/GNC wing of "publix" bldg, for clearance of a Publix Liquors, additional parking nearest S.E access, Followed by renderings for what might look similar to Rivervue.

I genuinely have a question. I like the pedestrian only alley concept. Regarding bikes and peds in the vicinity:

How do we finally get a simple 77' gap filled between 2 existing sidewalks next to the new Loop and Hightide Burrito over the railroad?

To see an example of a safer crossing of the same rail, please look at Timuquana,  Edgewood,  McDuff, Birkenhead crossings.

Both SanJuan Ave., and Lakeside/Lake Shore are both closed /non-existent.

I sincerely am asking. What is the plan to connect bikes/peds over/under US17:
Via Park-Blanding overpass?
Or?
(There is not a complete crosswalk at Park/Roosevelt at-grade.)
Is the SanJuan RRXing sidewalk_PERMANENTLY_closed?

Will the currently existing sidewalk along Lake Shore Blvd and Lakeside Drive ever meet?
This development alone should be reason enough.

King Street RRXING between Rosselle and Gilmore is similar to Lake Shore Blvd in that it has existing sidewalk along the road that does not meet over the same railroad and forces too many pedestrians to walk into the road to find a smooth surface.

[ricker]

^^^
Did not mean to stray so far off topic. I'll snatch my own soapbox once I also add St. Johns at Roosevelt RRXING is surrounded by retail and residential yet is also missing sidewalk like Lakeside Drive RRXING.

[ricker]

^^^
Did not mean to stray so far off topic. I'll snatch my own soapbox once I also add St. Johns at Roosevelt RRXING is surrounded by retail and residential yet is also missing sidewalk like Lakeside Drive RRXING.

My point in a nutshell, the evolution of this site is a net positive for the area, I just wish peds were given more consideration throughout this corridor.

And Blanding and San Juan north and east of their Cedar River bridges, respectively.

Rant over.
Sorry and thanks.

[fieldafm]

I believe those railroad crossings are part of a larger effort to obtain federal grants in order to address. In the last two years, COJ, FDOT and JTA have received grant money to add tracks to some of the switching yards, add safety features to railroad crossings and some nominal money for public 'educational' campaigns about railroad crossing dangers. Making additional safety improvements to more RR crossings around the County is a priority. I don't think the crossings at Lakeshore and San Juan have imminent funding identified, but they have been identified as sites slated for improvement if future funding sources are secured.


*There has and will continue to be a lot of work surrounding the circulation around the Roosevelt Square Complex (in addition to the circulation improvements within the development, as Lake notes above).  The Lakeside Drive bridge was just repaired, for one.

*In addition to improvements along Herschel in Fairfax/Avondale that we highlighted here:

https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/roundabouts-proposed-for-fishweir-creek-intersection/

*There are additional plans to make improvements along San Juan Avenue, seen here:

http://nflroads.com/ProjectFiles/5340/44055215201-%20San%20Juan%20Ave%20Proposed%20Improvements.pdf

In addition to slowing down traffic with the reduction of lanes, improving collision hazards with the addition of turn lanes... if you zoom in, there is a pedestrian mid-block crossing being added as well.

[acme54321]

Sidewalks aside, about 4 million pavers have recently shown up on site.  Not sure where they're going to put them all but it should be west side fancy.

[duvaltilidie]

Just read that Cold Stone Creamery is returning to Roosevelt Square. Although, it doesn't actually "Say" returning, it was a staple in the early 2000's at Roosevelt where the current Fuji Sushi is. When Cold Stone left, Fuji moved in and expanded the available space. Has anyone else seen or heard anything about what else is planned in the past month/two months?

[Florida Power And Light]

I will say, that is a much better internal road layout.

Please elaborate.

As a local I'm thankful the Lakeside Drive reconstruction occurred in advance since traffic is thick in this area. I also wonder how the canal reconstruction helps the area of Fremont Avenue it's intended to drain..?

Also, Mr. Webster, the apron between Longhorn and KFC/TacoHell is closing which will help the augmented traffic oval (reduced in reality from site plan shown above likely to boost parking space counts) and will better diffuse auto traffic to/fro Appleton & Fair through the site.

To elaborate further, since you know Roosevelt since "1979",  certainly you might recall the previous carwash location nearer to ChicFilA, well now that the carwash has been removed entirely, the southern entrances have been reconfigured to access Lakeside Drive on each end of the newly replaced little bridge near the now closed Wabash entrance near the JAG dog hotdogs guy, now curbed. These 2 closures, paired with newly streamlined north-south flow through the site are well timed to not completely exacerbate site congestion.

The pedestrian only "Alley" is coming along nicely with a portion of old facade removed next to Orange Theory to punch through the "back" of the "West Marine" bldg..

The easternmost residential parcel shown at top of site plan (2 lots, 1 house recently demo'd, 1 lot was recently a retention pond where a house was removed 20 years ago from Appleton across from Weise natural food medicine shop) are up for administrative review and may see new construction first on the resi side [lookout for 3 levels multifamily].

Thankfully Fair St. r.o.w. left green, for now. Nose-in parking works for Ingleside Ave behind the brick and Mellow, but not here. Not now.

I forget who said it here first,  but I agree, apartments ON TOP OF some of these new buildings would be a trip. (More like 1661 Riverside, but where Belk was) One can dream.

Next up should be demo of CiCi's "pizza"/Curves/GNC wing of "publix" bldg, for clearance of a Publix Liquors, additional parking nearest S.E access, Followed by renderings for what might look similar to Rivervue.

I genuinely have a question. I like the pedestrian only alley concept. Regarding bikes and peds in the vicinity:

How do we finally get a simple 77' gap filled between 2 existing sidewalks next to the new Loop and Hightide Burrito over the railroad?

To see an example of a safer crossing of the same rail, please look at Timuquana,  Edgewood,  McDuff, Birkenhead crossings.

Both SanJuan Ave., and Lakeside/Lake Shore are both closed /non-existent.

I sincerely am asking. What is the plan to connect bikes/peds over/under US17:
Via Park-Blanding overpass?
Or?
(There is not a complete crosswalk at Park/Roosevelt at-grade.)
Is the SanJuan RRXing sidewalk_PERMANENTLY_closed?

Will the currently existing sidewalk along Lake Shore Blvd and Lakeside Drive ever meet?
This development alone should be reason enough.

King Street RRXING between Rosselle and Gilmore is similar to Lake Shore Blvd in that it has existing sidewalk along the road that does not meet over the same railroad and forces too many pedestrians to walk into the road to find a smooth surface.

Two new exit/ entrance at the Lake Shore ( Lakeside ? ) turn at the “ Canal Bridge” are already a Hoot even before buildout.

[thelakelander]

Aging, outdated Roosevelt Square transitioning into modern Ortega Park:

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/business/2021/07/04/ortega-park-replacing-roosevelt-square-jacksonvilles-westside/7680887002/

[Florida Power And Light]

“ Park”

Alley

“ Ortega Alley”

Alley Cats like myself ready to Roam!

[Florida Power And Light]

Grand Opening Yesterday,Modern ORTEGA Park ( not “ Westside” just across the street....)........ was..... Un Believeable.
The giant 400 foot high tower,  we can look out over the Waterways..... and shorelines we will never be able to access as Alley Cat Public..... Wonderful!
All of the store fronts are Happy Retailers, OPEN,we are Happy M2 Money suppliers.... yea, we made it.
The open views towards the Eventual tall apartments, the Brick pavement..... how cool!!! That Alley looking place, all it takes is an overhang Roof Line and We Go YesThisIsWonderfull!!
Can’t wait for the Apartments.
Such a Privilege to have Outgrown this area. Just watch’in m
Wonderful

[acme54321]

 

[Florida Power And Light]

August 2022 and Alley Cats are still Howling...... a little Bored.... but that’s what Alley Cats are prone to.
Empty Store fronts, and some not so empty. Hopefully!!
Fun to walk/ crawl/ cycle/ Vehicle over the Paver Bricks. A little different.
Will vegetation sprout amongst the Paver Bricks???
Then What?? Kill the Unwanted Growth???  How many gallons of Roundup???Adjacent to water way? Call the daughter of former Duval Chamber Of Commerce Director, River Keeper person, Lisa R. ?
Perhaps Starbucks will return.
Perfect Boring Affordable