by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s program to install more bus shelters for mass transit users took another step Thursday when the Downtown Development Review Board of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission approved a design for the new street furniture.
City Council enacted Ordinance 2009-401 approving the shelters with the condition that JTA submit three designs to DDRB, which would evaluate each and select one for implementation. JEDC staff worked with JTA on the development of three designs based on requirements for historic design, color scheme and transparency.
The board discussed whether the shelters should be constructed of clear material or a perforated metal for maximum transparency.
Board member Chris Flagg said being able to see what’s behind the shelters is an issue in terms of comfort level when it comes to safety. He also said the existing shelters aren’t transparent enough to prevent people from concealing themselves behind the shelters.
“Transparent shelters can be hot and the maintenance cost is higher,” said JTA Director of External Affairs Mike Miller.
JEDC Deputy Executive Director Paul Crawford said he had recently been in Boston and observed clear bus shelters. He said vandals had used marking pens to put graffiti on the shelters and the process of removing it scratched the material, rendering it nontransparent.
After some discussion, the board selected a design that Miller said was the JTA’s first choice. In a rare non-unanimous decision, DDRB members Chris Flagg, Andy Sikes, Montasser Selim and Jim Bailey were in favor of the design while Logan Rink cast the dissenting vote.
DDRB also approved the final design for restoring brick, replacing windows and light fixtures and constructing a fenced and gated courtyard at the Law Office of Farah & Farah at Ocean and Adams streets.
The courtyard will be on the south side of the building on the site where the Lerner Building was demolished. Its use will be generally restricted to those who work in the Farah & Farah Building, but the space will be made available to the public for special events, including Art Walk and the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, said Tom Hurst, principal of Dasher Hurst Architects.
“It’s a small space, but I think it’s going to be a nice space,” he added.
The next meeting of the DDRB is 2 p.m. June 24 on the second floor of the Police and Fire Pension Fund Building at 1 W. Adams St.
356-2466