JWJ Park?

[thelakelander]

What was the vision developed a few years ago?

[thelakelander]

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2022/jul/27/nonprofit-group-completes-plan-for-james-weldon-johnson-park/

Perhaps a follow up with Mike Mendenhall if anyone knows of how to reach him. He reported on the same press release back in 2022.

I have a feeling that the grant that was given to this organization is paying for the renovation, and where ever that grant was given (I can't find it) probably has the plans & overall project. For those more savvy at grant finding, maybe that's how to find it online.

I was on the African-American Cultural and Historical Grant review panel. I don't recall this application having any plans in our review material last January/February. The COJ application was for funding to assist with the planning of revamping this park, not funds for construction of a plan already developed.

At the time, there was $30 million or so in this grant program that would be split among the top applicants. So only the top #54 applications were awarded funds. Originally, this park project (Ranked #104) did not make the cut. However, another $30 million was later added to this grant program (COVID money). So this park planning process ended up getting funded, along with several other projects across the state.

Here are the local projects that made the first cut. This article also has the full list of projects, their rank and funding request:

https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/historic-sites-awarded-restoration-funds/

[jcjohnpaint]

Did they start restoration on the Stanton ?

[tufsu1]

What was the vision developed a few years ago?

one where people said they wanted grassy areas - of course that was in place of some of the hardscape pavers, not the fountains

[Charles Hunter]

Is anyone (Jax Today?) pursuing a Public Records Request for the plans?

[fsu813]

Is anyone (Jax Today?) pursuing a Public Records Request for the plans?

I'd imagine you can simply speak with Friends of JWJ and they'll tell you. These aren't state secrets.

[thelakelander]

What was the vision developed a few years ago?

one where people said they wanted grassy areas - of course that was in place of some of the hardscape pavers, not the fountains

Was there a concept plan created?

[Ken_FSU]

Is anyone (Jax Today?) pursuing a Public Records Request for the plans?

I'd imagine you can simply speak with Friends of JWJ and they'll tell you. These aren't state secrets.

I’ve tried.

Based on the conflicting answers I get depending on the day and the person, I don’t get the sense that most of the staff has a clue about the big picture.

It may not be a state secret, but the whole thing has just been handled so strangely. Oldest park in the city undergoing major changes with no public announcements. Friends of JWJ haven’t even acknowledged the changes on their website or social platforms.

It’s not minor work either.

The fountains, maybe the most prominent features of the park, and features that have literally been there for 50 years, were demolished without a peep and replaced with fenced-off leftover scraps from Lenny’s Lawn. Whole thing has just been bizarre. Wouldn’t particularly care if not for the fact that it’s made the only staffed downtown park actively worse for no clearly understandable reason.

[jaxlongtimer]

How about talking with one of the contractors on site and working backwards from there?  Who hired them and is directing them?  How can you contact that person(s)? 

Alternative, how about calling the head of the parks department if this is considered a park?

Follow the yellow (red?) brick road to the wizard behind the changes  .

[Adam White]

The people that scream the loudest about being offended today don't provide any evidence that they wouldn't have been part of the mob on the wrong side of history in prior generations.

This has to be, without a doubt, the single stupidest thing I've read all year.

[thelakelander]

Did they start restoration on the Stanton ?

They put a new roof on the building a few months ago.

[jaxoNOLE]

Contacted my CM asking for info and if it could be publicized. Hopefully they'll respond

[fsu813]

Is anyone (Jax Today?) pursuing a Public Records Request for the plans?

I'd imagine you can simply speak with Friends of JWJ and they'll tell you. These aren't state secrets.

Talked with Friends of JWB. A pot of money had to be used by X date, so they used it to remove the fountains and replace with grass. Fountains were expensive to maintain, weren't thought to be in the parks future. Fencing will leave soon, after grass establishes itself a bit. No final design has been decided upon.

[thelakelander]

LOL, that's not a good way to plan public spaces.....

[Lunican]

Pot of money + maintenance required =  demolish