A new look for JTA's proposed downtown bus terminal

Rendering of JAXIS (Jacksonville Transportation Authority)

After years of planning, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority is moving forward with its intentions to develop the $33 million Jacksonville Intermodal Station (JAXIS) in LaVilla. The first phase will result in the relocation of Greyhound’s bus terminal from Bay and Pearl Streets near the heart of the Northbank. The new location will be situated on the northwest corner of West Forsyth and Stuart Streets.

Nashville’s Greyhound bus station (Transit509.com)

Anticipated to break ground in January 2017, the footprint of the Intercity Bus Terminal will resemble recently built Greyhound stations in Nashville, Baltimore and Sacramento. Those 10,000 square foot facilities include multiple bus bays, a full-service restaurant, ticket counter and automated ticket machines.

The 2011 conceptual floor plan layout (Jacksonville Transportation Authority)

However, unlike the other examples, the exterior facade of the JAXIS intercity bus terminal has been modified to match the proposed design of the overall future transportation complex. Plans call for wider sidewalks in the vicinity to encourage more pedestrian activity. Construction on phase one of JAXIS is expected to last 12 months. The second phase of JAXIS will consist of JTA’s facilities. It’s scheduled to break ground Fall 2017 and anticipated for completion by September 2019. This phase will include a terminal for local fixed bus routes, a First Coast Flyer Bus Rapid Transit hub, Skyway station and administrative offices.

The 2011 bus station conceptual facade closely resembled the Nashville station’s design. (Jacksonville Transportation Authority)

Long ignored for redevelopment, LaVilla is now emerging as a hotbed for urban infill. In addition to JTA’s JAXIS, Jacksonville-based Vestcor Companies recently began construction on Lofts of LaVilla. Located across the street from the Prime Osborn Convention Center at West Bay and Lee Streets, the $23 million Lofts of LaVilla will bring 130 units of affordable housing to the neighborhood. A few blocks away, Beneficial Communities, LLC. intends to break ground soon on Houston Street Manor. The $18.6 million, 7-story Houston Street Manor will bring 72-unit affordable senior housing apartment building with street level retail to LaVilla. In addition, Vestcor is working to secure tax credits from the Florida Housing Finance Corporation to develop 100-110 multifamily workforce housing units in LaVilla. To assist in bringing the project to fruition, the Downtown Investment Authority approved a $303,750 no-interest loan to Vesctor at its October 18th meeting.

Houston Street Manor (Beneficial Communities, LLC.)

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