by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
The latest chapter in the debate over whether advertising should be allowed on bus shelters Downtown was written Thursday at the monthly meeting of the Downtown Development Review Board of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission.
Mike Miller, Jacksonville Transportation Authority director of external communications, said JTA has been looking into upgrading bus shelters for three years as an element of the Bus Rapid Transit program. He reminded board members of the February 2008 DDRB meeting, which marked the first time JTA presented examples of bus shelters used in other markets.
Since then, said Miller, there have been several workshops and meetings with JEDC staff to develop the criteria for the design of shelters that would be installed Downtown.
Miller also pointed out that last October, the City Council enacted legislation authorizing advertising to be placed on bus shelters in Jacksonville. The legislation was supported by JTA so that the costs involved with installing and maintaining the structures can be borne by a third party rather than the taxpayers of Duval County.
Miller said after a Request for Proposals was issued in February, four vendors submitted responses and that list was reduced to three possible providers. The submittals were sent to JEDC staff for their review based on criteria established related to the appearance of the shelters.
Joanne Diz, JTA’s project manager for the shelter design, presented a set of renderings to the board members of three basics designs and the many variations possible on each. Options include glass shelters and shelters constructed with perforated metal and roof design options.
“I love Downtown and we want it to be beautiful, too,” said Diz.
After board members reviewed the many options presented former DDRB chair and landscape architect Chris Flagg commented, “I’d be in favor of any opportunity to improve what we have.”
The purpose of the presentation was not to accept or reject any particular design, as it was listed on the DDRB’s agenda as an “information/discussion item.”
Assistant General Counsel Jason Teal told board members the ordinance requires JTA to eventually make a formal presentation to DDRB concerning the design of the new shelters. He also sad JTA is required by the legislation to submit three designs, one of which the board must approve. The City will also approve the locations for the street furniture and how that are installed – the distance from the curb and proximity to fire hydrants, for example.
After the discussion, the meeting was opened to public comment. Rachel Cocciolo, assistant to attorney and longtime opponent of outdoor advertising Bill Brinton, read a statement from Brinton, who she explained was out of town.
The statement read in part: “Since the late 1950s, the Downtown area has been free of commercial ads along the city sidewalks. Even when the County and the pre-consolidation City entered into ill-advised bus bench advertising contracts, the Downtown area was kept from having advertising on city streets.
“It is a simple matter to advise the JTA Board that the preference of the DDRB is to keep our Downtown street furniture free of commercial ads.”
Cocciolo added, “You’re basically choosing the backdrop for advertising,” and “We have the mast arms and those stickers – we’re really starting to clutter up Downtown.”
When asked after the meeting is she uses JTA, Cocciolo replied she didn’t. When asked if Brinton ever uses JTA, she said, “No. We’re lucky enough to have cars.”
The board also gave final approval for the 200-foot floating dock on the Northbank Riverwalk near the Fuller Warren Bridge, approved parking and landscaping zoning variances for a residence converted into an office at 432 E. Monroe St. and approved the conceptual plan for a combination gas station, convenience store and cafe on Main Street between State and Union streets.
The next meeting of the DDRB is May 27 at 2 p.m. in the JEDC board room at 1 W. Adams St.
356-2466