Urban Construction Update - March 2022

[Charles Hunter]

If the new MOSH, the Fire Museum, and the Navy Museum cooperate on a combination ticket, that should help both the Navy and Fire museums. You may not go downtown to just see one of those, but if you are going to MOSH, for "a little more" getting into the other two might be just the ticket (sorry). This assumes the two smaller venues survive until the new MOSH opens in, what, two or three years? I guess they could do a combo-ticket now, it just wouldn't be as convenient - maybe throw in a water taxi ride?

[thelakelander]

Wasn't the fire museum free?

[Ken_FSU]

This assumes the two smaller venues survive until the new MOSH opens in, what, two or three years?

3-5 years 

[acme54321]

Fire Museum is on the move today.

[Ken_FSU]

The Bay Street on and off ramps for the Hart Bridge are now open.

What really stands out to me when entering downtown from the Hart Bridge now is, with what the city is trying to do along the Northbank riverfront, it's just so baffling that we didn't finish the job and take down all of the elevated ramps.

Those remaining ramps create such a visual disconnect between the sports district and the CBD.

Would have been so much better to just route all traffic down a clean, open, continuous, reconfigured Bay Street into downtown.

Does the MOSH no favors as well, practically butting up against that stupid ramp.

[Charles Hunter]

I think money (or the lack of) had something to do with leaving those remnant ramps. With all the buildings and Hogan Creek next to, and under, the ramps it would likely be more expensive than a normal ramp demolition. Someone needs to press the City and FDOT for a Phase 2 to remove those ramps.

[Captain Zissou]

I agree that the whole thing should have come down.  At this point it will save drivers maybe 30 seconds and it really breaks up the area.

The only business still in operation under the ramps is the sulzbacher center and I believe that is now moving. The ramp does pass very close to Intuition, but I don't think they'd mind the interruption to their business to get that ramp down.  So the main obstacle to bringing the rest down is keeping debris out of Hogan's creek.  Additionally, the added lanes for the future U2C route makes the area no more pedestrian friendly than it was when the elevated lanes were there.  I drive that road everyday and I still can't envision what the intended final product is.  It appears that the road will be 6 lanes wide when finished.

[thelakelander]

The main hidden expense is probably related to contamination. That parking lot between sulzbacher and Hogans Creek behind Maxwell House used to be a rail yard. There's no telling what you're unearthing there.

[vicupstate]

The main hidden expense is probably related to contamination. That parking lot between sulzbacher and Hogans Creek behind Maxwell House used to be a rail yard. There's no telling what you're unearthing there.

Couldn't you just tear down the ramps and leave the parking lot undisturbed?

[thelakelander]

There are a lot of columns holding up the structure, with pilings that penetrate that area, that would have to come down as well. With that said, I'm a fan of taking the entire thing down regardless of the cost. If we're going to do raze the structure, let's raze all of it.

[Charles Hunter]

When (note the confidence!) the Hart Remnant Ramps are removed, will any of the existing east-west streets need upgrades east of Liberty Street? Vehicular, pedestrian, and non-motorized transportation need to be considered.

Looking at Google Maps
The Mathews Expressway has 2 lanes in each direction, with no bike or pedestrian facilities

Duval Street has three different sections:
* between Liberty and Catherine is one-way westbound, with sidewalks on both sides, and no designated bike lanes
* between Catherine and Palmetto is the bridge over Hogan Creek (and the former RR) is 1 lane each way with shoulders (which bikes could use)  and sidewalks on both sides

Adams (which jogs around the Maxwell House plant) has one lane each direction, a sidewalk on the north side of the street, and no bike lanes

Bay - 2 lanes each way, with reversible lanes that can make 3/1 in the peak direction, sidewalks both sides, no bike lanes
* east of Palmetto it is 2 lanes each way with sidewalks but no marked bike lanes

[Steve]

There are a lot of columns holding up the structure, with pilings that penetrate that area, that would have to come down as well. With that said, I'm a fan of taking the entire thing down regardless of the cost. If we're going to do raze the structure, let's raze all of it.

How much was the ramp and reconfigure of Bay Street? Seems like that wasn't a well thought out cost. I mean without it you'd have a unused highway there but wow.

[vicupstate]

This is off-topic a bit, but what is the status of the Duval School Board relocation? Is there an outstanding RFP or a deadline of some kind?  Seems like its been awhile since this was mentioned in the news. 

[Ken_FSU]

This is off-topic a bit, but what is the status of the Duval School Board relocation? Is there an outstanding RFP or a deadline of some kind?  Seems like its been awhile since this was mentioned in the news.

DCPS partnered with CBRE on the RFP.

It was fairly complicated, with bidders being asked to take the lead in relocating DCPS into a new 100k square foot HQ (whether that be via new construction or renovation of an existing building), with the current Prudential HQ and three or four other surplus properties being offered to help fund the relocation.

Final bids were supposed to be due at the end of February, but there hasn't been much info about number or quality of bids.

[Tacachale]

There are a lot of columns holding up the structure, with pilings that penetrate that area, that would have to come down as well. With that said, I'm a fan of taking the entire thing down regardless of the cost. If we're going to do raze the structure, let's raze all of it.

Agree. No more half-assing things. Either use your whole as or no ass.