by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
The City has been talking about renovating Laura Street and installing a roundabout in front of the Landing for years and years.
Wednesday, the talk ended and ground was officially broken on the project.
“This is an exciting day for Downtown,” said Jacksonville Economic Development Commission Executive Director Ron Barton, who pointed out that several studies have been conducted on Downtown and what could be done to make it more pedestrian friendly. “Laura Street is in every one of those.”
The project will begin with construction of a roundabout in front of the Landing and include moving the Andrew Jackson statue, installing information kiosks, historical plaques and cobblestone pavers. Also, the traffic on Laura Street and Independence Drive will be converted from one-way to two-way.
“I know this is the beginning of a great thing in Downtown Jacksonville,” said City Council member Don Redman, whose district includes parts of Downtown. “The businesses along this route may have a rough time while we are working, but it will be nice when it’s finished.”
According to City planners, a majority of the work will be done between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. assuring there is minimal disruption to the traffic and pedestrian flow Downtown during work hours. While there will be periodic full- and partial-lane closures during the project, all cross streets will remain open.
Mayor John Peyton said the project, combined with the $23 million worth of projects approved by Council Tuesday night — renovations to Friendship Fountain, the Southbank and Metro Park — will create a more attractive Downtown to visitors and residents alike.
“This is a historic day,” said Peyton. “It’s a key step towards revitalizing Downtown.”
Peyton said he’d like to see Downtown once again become the central focus of the city and the place people want to work or live or both. Making Downtown more walkable is paramount to that resurgence.
“This is probably the most walked street in Jacksonville and it will continue to be,” he said. “Combined with the other three projects, this will help develop the critical mass and help prepare Jacksonville for the post-recession recovery. Our population is expected to double in the next 30 years, so it makes sense to encourage people to be Downtown.”
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