by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
In response to a LaVilla redevelopment study commissioned by the City Council last year, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority and the Florida Department of Transportation returned to the Council last week with a revised version.
In attendance were FDOT and JTA representatives, Council vice president Elaine Brown, Council member Reggie Fullwood and Lynn Westbrook, interim chief operating officer for the mayor’s office.
The original study by the Cooper Carry consulting firm included various feasibility studies in and around the Osborn Center.
While much remained similar with respect to an expanded convention center, active street fronts and a bolstered retail presence in the subdistrict, the newly tweaked plan understandably placed a heavier emphasis on transportation logistics and operations.
“What we’re looking for is a real sense of synergy in LaVilla,” said Steve Arrington, JTA director of engineering. “We were generally pleased with what we saw in the [Cooper Carry] plan, but there were some conflicts.”
Calling the Cooper Carry plan “preliminary,” Arrington and JTA executive director Mike Blaylock said it needed to be better adapted for “multi-modal transportation.”
The updated plan focused heavily on “connectivity” and additional, though redistributed, parking throughout LaVilla.
However, Arrington and Blaylock said the need for a transportation hub arching over Bay and Forsyth streets, possibly serving as an extension of the convention center, should be a priority.
The proposed hub, part of the “transit-oriented development plan,” would likely incorporate both JTA and intercity bus stations, along with a Skyway stop, transportation offices and additional parking. An Amtrak station may be a possibility further down the line.
“We believe this is a good starting point,” said Philip Worth, an FDOT spokesman present at the meeting. “Obviously, it can be further massaged.”
All agreed the transportation plan met the criteria for funding, though no specific dollar amount was quoted or speculated upon.
At the conclusion of the presentation, most agreed the transportation hub could work, though concern was raised over other changes made to the Cooper Carry draft.
A hotel flanking the Osborn Center near the Interstate 95 exit was included in the updated plan, though relocated slightly.
Brown, who has been leading LaVilla revitalization efforts for several years, said that was mistake.
“I’d like us all to consider keeping (the hotel) where Cooper Carry put it,” said Brown. “The (Jacksonville & the Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau) has already approved that location and I think we should stick with that part of the plan.”
Arrington said the location of the hotel was not the impetus for their plan, though it was a consideration.
Brown said it would behoove all parties to agree certain details included, so steps could be taken toward drafting a final plan, and a presentation to Mayor John Peyton could be made.
She added the next step would be to consult with representatives from the Downtown Development Authority, which would help in better assessing the land and cementing various components.
“We need to get some things finalized so we’re not confusing the mayor and coming at him with several different ideas,” said Brown. “This area of town is the future of Jacksonville. That’s why we need to get moving on this.”