Look on YouTube "A Vision for Jacksonville". This is a years long initiative at visioning that I led under the AIA Jacksonville chapter. This is what a vision looks like.
I had the opportunity to consult on the proposed park which you have described. My model was Memorial Park with lots of open space for adults and kids to gather, whether to play frisbee, kick a soccer ball or enjoy a sit along with family on a blanket. Bordering this open space would be many shade trees to provide respite from the Florida sun, with benches for young and old to occupy. Plus there would be a children's area, an outdoor beer garden and of course lots of access to the river. I and others saw this new park as a neighborhood park for downtown as well as for residents from the high rises across the river (multiple river taxis anyone?), not to mention visitors from other parts of the city and beyond. I used to live across from Memorial Park and saw what you described, Sherry. This new park should have the same character and should be welcoming to all.
What a gift JaxLookoutRedux is to the community. Thank you Sherry Magill for a voice that educates and inspires .. your comments on The NorthBank riverfront remind us that right now, we have the opportunity of a lifetime to reclaim this land for essential public greenspace that will contribute significantly to the community's quality of life and economy. Lets get it right !
Sherry, I was taken by your intro. The trouble with visioning and planning in Jacksonville is that we are copying other cities, not thinking "uniquely Jacksonville". We should be learning from other cities, but then applying the "uniquely Jacksonville" principle: past, present and future of "us". Many of our officials do not want to acknowledge our past. In support of the proposed polished stainless steel sculpture, one city official said that many cities are installing polished stainless steel sculptures. That is exactly why we should not be doing one.
Further, in planning you must start with a vision and in the end you should be able see that vision. A series of projects, as we are doing, will never lead to a vision.
Thank you for your very thoughtful comments about our Northbank riverfront. Cities around the country have enjoyed great economic, social and civic benefits by creating large beautiful and active parks along their downtown waterways. The positive return from investing in public space has been enormous, from creating community pride and enjoyment to the successful economic development adjacent to these parks. Jacksonville has a once in a lifetime chance to open the large number of public spaces to our citizens, by creating a destination worthy exciting, appealing, well-tended and connected park system along the Northbank, from the Riverside Arts Market to Metropolitain Park. Private use does not seem to be the highest and best use of this precious land. This is our time, Jacksonville. Susan Caven
Look on YouTube "A Vision for Jacksonville". This is a years long initiative at visioning that I led under the AIA Jacksonville chapter. This is what a vision looks like.
Thanks Dave!
I had the opportunity to consult on the proposed park which you have described. My model was Memorial Park with lots of open space for adults and kids to gather, whether to play frisbee, kick a soccer ball or enjoy a sit along with family on a blanket. Bordering this open space would be many shade trees to provide respite from the Florida sun, with benches for young and old to occupy. Plus there would be a children's area, an outdoor beer garden and of course lots of access to the river. I and others saw this new park as a neighborhood park for downtown as well as for residents from the high rises across the river (multiple river taxis anyone?), not to mention visitors from other parts of the city and beyond. I used to live across from Memorial Park and saw what you described, Sherry. This new park should have the same character and should be welcoming to all.
What a gift JaxLookoutRedux is to the community. Thank you Sherry Magill for a voice that educates and inspires .. your comments on The NorthBank riverfront remind us that right now, we have the opportunity of a lifetime to reclaim this land for essential public greenspace that will contribute significantly to the community's quality of life and economy. Lets get it right !
Sherry, I was taken by your intro. The trouble with visioning and planning in Jacksonville is that we are copying other cities, not thinking "uniquely Jacksonville". We should be learning from other cities, but then applying the "uniquely Jacksonville" principle: past, present and future of "us". Many of our officials do not want to acknowledge our past. In support of the proposed polished stainless steel sculpture, one city official said that many cities are installing polished stainless steel sculptures. That is exactly why we should not be doing one.
Further, in planning you must start with a vision and in the end you should be able see that vision. A series of projects, as we are doing, will never lead to a vision.
Thank you for your very thoughtful comments about our Northbank riverfront. Cities around the country have enjoyed great economic, social and civic benefits by creating large beautiful and active parks along their downtown waterways. The positive return from investing in public space has been enormous, from creating community pride and enjoyment to the successful economic development adjacent to these parks. Jacksonville has a once in a lifetime chance to open the large number of public spaces to our citizens, by creating a destination worthy exciting, appealing, well-tended and connected park system along the Northbank, from the Riverside Arts Market to Metropolitain Park. Private use does not seem to be the highest and best use of this precious land. This is our time, Jacksonville. Susan Caven