Great article. I'm getting fed up with all the political threads taking over the main page feed, so this was a nice breath of fresh air. Nice photos, too! The Maxwell House plant is actually looking quite nice.
I think the city would be wise to find funding to make the whole site an active park, filled with paths, public spaces, sculptures, interactive fountains, tables and benches, and of course the pier with that once proposed Calatrava landmark marker.
Then I would suggest the city find a way to connect to the stadium district and involve Maxwell House. I see no reason, even with the overpass dividing the two areas, for that district not to be filled with life. The West Coast, specifically Seattle, has found ways to incorporate their waterfront with the rest of town, even with a multiple deck freeway passing through.
We could have a waterfront market, an aquarium, docks for large yachts and sailboats and small cruise vessels, of course the public pier, the riverwalk, active park space as described above, etc etc. There is no reason why we should not pursue this.
In fact, if we can get the convention center to the current courthouse site and focus on this side of downtown, I would even go so far as to abandon plans for Lavilla for now because it does not have nearly as much going for it considering it was all bulldozed. The courthouse alone is not enough of an investment to bring that area back.
I also think many people in Jax would be more favorable to spending money on such plans on the river there near the stadiums and event spaces than in areas they deem "ghetto", unsafe, or unable to be utilized conveniently by the masses.
My new chant is Laura Street to Georgia Street, and Adams in between! (Granted I know the riverfront goes to Talleyrand, but Georgia kind rhymes with Laura)
