by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
Jacksonville may never rival Paris for the title “City of Lights” but the Northeast Florida Chapter of The American Institute of Architects would like to see the city do the best it can to emulate the French capital in time for the 2005 Super Bowl.
Tri Vu, president of the Jacksonville chapter of AIA and owner of TTV Architects, has created a proposal that would light all of downtown’s bridges, a la the Acosta Bridge. When the Acosta Bridge was renovated to accommodate the Skyway addition, the
Jacksonville Transportation Authority installed in 1998 the purple fluorescent lights that distinguish and creatively light the Acosta at night. Vu believes the same can be done to the Main Street, Fuller Warren, Mathews and Hart bridges.
Vu said the idea was hatched during a dinner with Herve Descottes, the owner of L’Obervatoir International — a company that installs high-tech lighting systems on skyscrapers and bridges all over the world. Descottes was in town as the guest speaker at AIA’s monthly lecture series and told Vu and several others that Jacksonville had an opportunity to do some creative things with its bridges and lighting. Vu took that idea to heart and has proposed an idea that would have corporate sponsors pick up part of the cost of installing different colored lights on all of the downtown bridges. Vu believes the work can be done in time for the 2005 Super Bowl, would create spectacular aerial views during Super Bowl week and serve to help Jacksonville establish its identity long after the game has left town.
“We will be under the microscope the week of the Super Bowl,” said Vu. “This would help create a feeling of pride for the city. The Super Bowl is going to be something that will get people excited, but why wait until six months before the game?”
Vu would like to see each bridge equipped with lights and a ceremony marking the official lighting for each. He thinks each “grand opening” would create a buzz around the whole city and serve to enhance the atmosphere as the Super Bowl gets closer.
“How many cities in the world have this many bridges downtown?” he asked. “Can you imagine if each bridge had its own character?”
Mike Goldman of the Florida Department of Transportation said the task wouldn’t be that difficult, but there are many things to consider.
“We would entertain it, but there are several practical issues,” said Goldman. “The biggest hassle is maintenance. We are open for citizen’s input, but the maintenance is what has to be considered.”
The DOT is responsible for all state highways, roads and the city’s bridges. Regardless of the creative funding mechanisms — Vu has proposed that the bridges be renamed after the corporate sponsors the week of the game — Goldman said it’s not a matter of installing the bulbs and flicking the switch. He did say the DOT would be open to the idea.
“There’s a little more to it than meets the eye,” said Goldman. “They would need to formally approach the DOT with a proposal. We would then take it to our bridge people. We would look at the costs, practicality, feasibility and funding source.”
Super Bowl Host Committee president and COO Mike Kelly said he’s seen Vu’s proposal and likes the concept.
“I do think it’s a great idea,” said Kelly. “It will come down to what’s realistic resource-wise.”
Kelly said he’s pretty sure all of the bridges will be addressed for the Super Bowl, but he’s not sure if any aesthetic improvements will be permanent.
“I think the City has to make the determination if they want the bridges lit full-time,” said Kelly. “We could have that as an item under consideration for our decorating committee.”