Riverwalk roadblock

[thelakelander]

Condo residents say the mayor's plan for an extension will come with noise and trash


Park Plaza condo residents and are opposed to plans to extend the Northbank Riverwalk to Memorial Park.

By MARY KELLI PALKA
The Times-Union

The Northbank Riverwalk was heralded by some visitors during the 2005 Super Bowl as one of Jacksonville's best assets.

But residents of at least one Riverside condominium oppose a plan to expand the walkway along their backyard.

Mayor John Peyton wants to extend the Riverwalk about half a mile from the Fuller Warren Bridge to Memorial Park. The $25 million project would be part of a five-year capital improvement plan, paid for with bond money, mayoral spokeswoman Susie Wiles said.

The City Council still needs to approve the project. Construction costs for the completed Northbank and Southbank Riverwalk projects weren't available Friday.

The extension would bring runners, dog-walkers, revelers and, residents fear, the homeless, less than 50 feet from some residences along the stretch. It would also run in front of the lush, peaceful gardens of The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens and at Memorial Park.

Some residents fear the expansion would devalue their condos -- which are worth an average of $500,000 -- by as much as 10 percent, said Fred Schultz, a former Florida House speaker and former vice chairman of the Federal Reserve. Schultz lives in Park Plaza, which abuts the path of the proposed expansion.

But supporters of the the plan love the idea of providing more river access to the public.

Riverside Avondale Preservation Inc., a nonprofit group advocating historical neighborhoods in the area, has always wanted the extension, said Bonnie Grissett, the group's executive director.

The American Red Cross' Northeast Florida chapter also would welcome the Riverwalk behind its building as an opportunity for staff and volunteers to enjoy the river, said Jack Morgan, chief executive officer. He said Red Cross workers were a little disappointed that construction stopped short of the building.

A road runs between the river and some buildings on the stretch of land between the bridge and Memorial Park. But only a little grass or paved walkway sits between other buildings, including Park Plaza, and the river.

This is the first time the Riverwalk would encroach on private property that existed before the Riverwalk was built, said Richard Buck, treasurer of the Park Plaza Condo Association.

The original Riverwalk fronts mostly public land and businesses. In addition to almost 10,000 feet on the Northbank, there's about 4,400 feet along the Southbank.

Peyton is expected to unveil a separate plan this month to clean up the St. Johns River. Schultz said the money planned for the expansion would be better spent on that effort.

City Council President Michael Corrigan said he's not opposed to extending the Riverwalk toward Memorial Park but doesn't think the park can handle the extra cars. There's already an existing parking problem that would be worsened if the Riverwalk ends there, he said.

Memorial Park Association President Wade L. Hampton agreed.

Wiles said the city is working on parking options in several areas along the extension.

Schultz is also concerned about the Cummer gardens. As a longtime supporter of the museum, Schultz said the expansion would be harmful to the gardens and interfere with the solitude of visitors. Area residents said they specifically worry about noise and litter.

The Cummer board hasn't taken a stance on the issue because it hasn't heard detailed information about the plan from the mayor's office, board chairman Frank Watson said.

Wiles said much of the Riverwalk would actually be built in the river, rather than on land, which would likely mean the gardens wouldn't be disturbed by the construction, she said.

Construction would begin in about 2008 if the council approves the plan, Wiles said.

mary.palkajacksonville.com, (904) 359-4104

This story can be found on Jacksonville.com at http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-onlin...22287510.shtml.

[danno]

The extension would bring runners, dog-walkers, revelers and, residents fear, the homeless, less than 50 feet from some residences along the stretch. It would also run in front of the lush, peaceful gardens of The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens and at Memorial Park.

OMG........ the homeless........... say it isn't so.

I want the city the city to close the sidewalk in front of my house as I may have "the homeless" and dog walkers passing within 10 feet of my front porch. Though if you live in Springfield you know that most of "the homeless" walk in the street not the sidewalk so maybe they could close the street as well.

Pardon the pun but....................... Cry me a river(walk).

[Lunican]

Look at the picture, its a bunch of crabby old people.

[danno]

If and when this gets built I am going to make a point of parking myself in front of that place and laughing as loudly as possible.

[Joe]

If you've ever seen this condo from the river, you'll notice that their pool deck and common area are very "open" or "exposed" to the river. I think the unspoken complaint here, is that they don't want to lose their privacy by having a bunch of pedestrians walking 5 feet away from them, and they really won't want to have to put a fence or wall up, which would block their riverview.

That must be the real reason, because I can't fathom how the riverwalk itself would lower property values. Public access does have big negatives, if you value silence and isolation (which a lot of older people seem to do), but the increased public visibility and connectivity should dramatically INCREASE property values.

But regardless, I still really don't understand their argument here. Either the city has an easement or it doesn't, right? And, by default, the government "owns" all navigable waterways, so they don't even need an easment on land; they can just build on the water. So the city can legally do this, and there's nothing that can stop them. I just can't imagine the city council voting against such a massive public ammenity like the riverwalk expansion, just because 10 people complain. Especially since even their district councilman doesn't seem opposed!

[Joe]

Also, I have an interesting idea for a MetroJacksonville or UrbanJacksonville blog post, if anyone has the time or inclination...

Someone could call a random sample of realtors (perhaps ones that work in Riverside, perhaps just Jax realtors in general) and ask them this simple question: Would a riverwalk extension past the Park Place Condos cause you to A) Decrease your asking price for a unit there B) Increase your asking price, or C) Not affect your asking price?

I think the results of such a survey would be interesting.

[Diane Melendez]

The Riverwalk is an "excellent" idea and I very much support it. Our river should be enjoyed by "all" not a select few. The fears those in todays article shared are quite frankly weak spirited and a bit selfish I think. I would just ask the City to take the time to make sure the materials used for pilings and methods employed in construction etc. are environmentally sound and do not pose any further danger to the rivers already threatened health. Otherwise, go for it!

Such an amenity will very likely improve property values as well as allow greater enjoyment of the "communities" river and even bring more awareness to it's health.

Joe, calling local realtors for their opinion would be interesting. Why not take the pro-active thinking further and make a few calls yourself? We all would be interested I think, to hear what you find out.

[thelakelander]

There was a heated debate on this topic a couple of months ago. At the time some area residents claimed that the immediate neighborhood, RAP and Cummer were against this. Now its been revealed that RAP and other property owners are for it, while Cummer is undecided. Personally, I still don't see how this can be a negative in any fashion.

Btw, Joe thanks for the suggestion. The result would be very interesting.

[Jimmy]

Here we go again. I'm glad to see RAP so unequivocal in their support of the riverwalk extension. For anyone new to MetJax and the fray, have a gander at this thread:

http://www.metjax.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1904

[thelakelander]

Here's an aerial of the area

[Lunican]

If they really want something to complain about, someone could give River Regions a call...

[JaxInvestor]

Originally Posted by danno

The extension would bring runners, dog-walkers, revelers and, residents fear, the homeless, less than 50 feet from some residences along the stretch. It would also run in front of the lush, peaceful gardens of The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens and at Memorial Park.

If this thing goes through, I definitely plan on reveling there as much as possible.

[JaxInvestor]

Originally Posted by Joe

Also, I have an interesting idea for a MetroJacksonville or UrbanJacksonville blog post, if anyone has the time or inclination...

Someone could call a random sample of realtors (perhaps ones that work in Riverside, perhaps just Jax realtors in general) and ask them this simple question: Would a riverwalk extension past the Park Place Condos cause you to A) Decrease your asking price for a unit there B) Increase your asking price, or C) Not affect your asking price?

I think the results of such a survey would be interesting.

The average realtor wouldn't know where Park Place condos are.

[danno]

Originally Posted by JaxInvestor

If this thing goes through, I definitely plan on reveling there as much as possible.

We should trow a metjax party there.

[Diane Melendez]

ProJax,

If Jake was still Mayor perhaps these folks would stand a chance. The key to figuring out if they have any clout left would be the term "former" before their titles, save for the Drs. Wife. They might kick up a fuss but I don't think it will amount to much unless one of them is best friends with Peytons Dad.

Party!!!!!Party!!!!!Party!!!!!! (uh oh, not politically correct?) Just teasing ProJax, really. You bring the wine and cheese.

I bet you will stand me up! Hey danno, what about you? LOL! Jimmy? Pearl?

[Jimmy]

I'm game at this very moment. Anyone have a boat? I'll bring the cheese... these residents seem to have plenty of whine. (I should say: I'm sure they're delightful people who think they're in the right.)

[Diane Melendez]

Okay Jimmy, you bring the cheese and I will bring the "barking dogs" and small children!!!!!!!!

It is a good thing tomorrow is Sunday! Bless me father for I have si........

I am sure they are lovely folks as well Jimmy.....

What father? Okay 800 our fathers and 275 hail Mary's, what was that, oh that many o......

[RADIO TALK SHOW HOST]

I suspect the situation is worse than you all have described, I accuse the people who live on the river and want no one else to enjoy it, of "hoarding the riverview" so the only way you can get it, is to buy property on it, like they did, thus bringing up the demand for the property (because thats the only way to enjoy the view)

I HATE TO ACCUSE PEOPLE WHO ENJOY THE RIVER SO MUCH THAT THEY PAID TOP DOLLAR TO LIVE BY IT. you would hope the riverview would be something to share

[Gone North]

Note how many of the street end accesses to the river have been blocked in Riverside and Avondale. Perhaps there should be a guerilla movement to open those up. I would volunteer. It is wrong for the city to close those accesses, they belong to the entire city.

Howabout the River Panthers-sneaking in at night to open the accesses.
Wait Panthers is taken, how about the River Keepers? Oh wait, we already have someone with that name. Well, at any rate, something should be done.