by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
Construction workers have been marking the pavement and sidewalks and digging holes along Laura Street for several weeks. Work will go into high gear in late October when the improvement project to transform the streetscape between the Landing and Hemming Plaza will become part of Downtown’s daily routine.
That was the report from Jacksonville Economic Development Commission Deputy Executive Director Paul Crawford at Wednesday’s Downtown Vision, Inc. quarterly operations meeting.
Crawford said he’s estimating the project will take a year to complete — longer than usual for a project of the size — because of traffic management issues and the type of construction that will be required.
“The design phase of the project is 90 percent complete,” he said, then added construction will be done in phases so as to disrupt business and traffic as little as possible. One traffic lane will remain open during construction and the JEDC is working with the Landing and The River Club to schedule lane closings so as to accommodate special events. Pedestrian access to businesses along the street will also be maintained as much as possible.
Crawford said details of the design like cobblestones and the roundabout in front of the Landing are unique features that will require more time to complete than other road improvement projects.
“We can’t treat this like a traditional public works project or even previous projects,” he said. “We’re going to give Laura Street a feel you won’t find anywhere else in Jacksonville. We want to make it something special.”
The final Laura Street design — including details like paving samples, lighting fixtures and landscaping — will be presented to the JEDC’s Downtown Development Review Board at its next meeting July 30.
Crawford also said as it turns out the East Bay Street project will yield more greenspace for Downtown. The short section of road that used to connect Independent Drive with Ocean Street going past the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce building will not be needed when the Bay Street improvements are finished, so the area will become a small park with a pedestrian-friendly design. Crawford described what will be created as “a way to connect entertainment venues on East Bay Street with those at the Landing.”
Steve Carver of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office reported on Downtown safety issues. Work done to clear brush from the bank of Hogan’s Creek at the end of Church Street near the Sulzbacher Center has resulted in the elimination of an urban camping and crime site. Carver said 10 dump trucks full of debris have been removed by inmate labor.
He also said overall crime has decreased recently Downtown and most offenses remain limited to nuisance crimes. The only violent crime in the zone, he said, amounts to transient individuals who get into conflicts and altercations with each other.
When asked about vehicle break-ins, Carver said according to statistics a vehicle parked at a suburban shopping mall is more likely to be burglarized than a vehicle parked Downtown.
DVI Executive Director Terry Lorince pointed out many vehicle burglaries could be avoided if women wouldn’t leave their purses in their car in plain sight when the vehicle is unattended — while the owner is at a nightclub, for example.
“All you have to do is lock your purse in the trunk,” said Lorince.
Carver also said JSO is patrolling Downtown parking garages during special events to augment private security efforts.
DVI Director of District Services Amy Harrell said a database of volunteers is being developed. She invited any company, group or individual interested in getting involved with projects like mulching and planting tree beds on sidewalks or cleaning up vacant property should contact DVI. Volunteers are needed for scheduled projects or, Harrell said, “People can come up with their own project and we’ll help them with it.”
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