Document text
Jacksonville looks at downtown plaza proposal By Tony Boom Dec 12, 2022 12:30 AM A A Jacksonville is looking at the possibility of creating a pedestrian plaza on South Third Street from California Street to the fire station in downtown. [Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune] A proposed downtown plaza and pedestrian park off California Street that would remove vehicles on a half-block of North Third Street will get scrutiny from Jacksonville City Council in the new year. The 1863 Beekman Bank would be on one side of the plaza with the 1880 U.S. Hotel on the other side. There is a public restroom midstreet, and the new Fire Hall is at the far end of the block. Only one business currently uses access off the street. Councilors agreed during a study session to have City Administrator Jeff Alvis look into the proposal and come back with a report. Project proponent Mike Thornton, an engineer based in Jacksonville, presented ideas prepared by interested groups, including the Chamber of Commerce, at the meeting. “What’s needed are a master plan, more detailed concept plans and some engineering cost estimates,” said Thornton. Committees that have worked on the plan think it checks all the boxes to benefit guests and also attract locals and residents from throughout the valley. The site is envisioned to serve as a living room for Jacksonville. Thornton said the information he presented, which includes a schematic design of a possible plaza layout, represented a 30,000-foot view of the possibilities. “There are so many ideas, so many possibilities, it’s almost mind-boggling,” said Mayor Donna Bowen following Thornton’s presentation. About six years ago, a committee put together by the Chamber of Commerce, which included Thornton, looked at possibilities. The proposal slowed when Thornton became busier at his firm, then the pandemic stopped most activity. Alvis earlier this year asked Thornton what was happening with the idea. That brought renewed interest, which included the study session in mid-October. City officials have included $250,000 in the town’s Urban Renewal District budget for a possible streetscape project. In addition, the possibility of drawing grants to support such a project are favorable at this time, reported Alvis. “It’s a great concept. It’s such a good opening there. That street itself in not a heavy-use street,” said Alvis. “It’s central to everything. There’s not a lot of business.” The street has been used for events before. It has also served as a stop for the Chamber of Commerce trolley. Alvis said he could envision various civic groups, such as the Jacksonville Boosters, getting behind the project. Fire Chief Wayne Painter told Alvis he would not have concerns about such a project. The street sees relatively little use, and the northern half by the station would have to allow vehicle traffic from an adjoining alleyway. Thornton said a flexible system might even be developed that could allow use of the full street by vehicles at designated times. “This thing would be built so it is removable if it didn’t work,” said Alvis “We’d want to make sure we didn’t put it in permanently.” Councilors Steve Casaleggio and Andrea Thompson both mentioned the need for ongoing funding to maintain a public plaza. Thornton and Community Development Director Ian Foster both reported that some conversions of streets to plaza spaces elsewhere in the nation have failed. The Eugene Plaza was an example cited by Foster. Future extensions off Third Street in the block might help with accessibility to the backs of buildings on California Street, Foster said. The proposed area has a uniform grade that minimizes issues under Americans With Disabilities Act. It might also facilitate a foot route to the post office in an alleyway, he noted. Councilors praised Thornton for the thoroughness of his preliminary presentation, which included lists of concerns, liabilities, benefits and elements that might be included. Concerns and liabilities with the North Third Street location include cost of power, loss of street parking spaces and inconvenience to vehicle services for some nearby businesses. Benefits for the location could include increasing visitor stays, emphasizing the historical center of Jacksonville, encouraging bicycle and pedestrian trips, drawing visitors to Third and C streets and allowing people to network, shop and relax. Among possible elements listed are a water feature, gold mining display, historical panels, art and sculpture, as well as tables and benches. Amenities for guests such as cellphone chargers, water bottle refill stations, bike stands and more are proposed. New restrooms also are suggested. Ten other sites were looked at as potential locations. The listing gave positives and negatives for development of each space and listed the proposed location as the favorite. Among the other potential locations were the east end of Main Street near Doc Griffin Park; the city-owned Brunner Building Plaza on Oregon Street, deemed too small; Third Street to the south of California, which would impact five businesses and disrupt traffic on one of the city’s longest streets; and the west end of D Street, city-owned, but deemed too far from downtown to be useful for gathering. Other sites were judged to be too expensive, too small or lacking connection to California Street. Reach Ashland freelance writer Tony Boom at [email protected].