Transportation Management Center Coming Downtown

The pending construction of the Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Management Center (NEFRTMC) at the State Regional Service Center complex on Jefferson Street could significantly impact the future of two additional high profile downtown sites. Here is a look the proposed NFRTMC and the ramifications it could have on downtown.

Proposed NEFRTMC site.

The proposed Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Management Center (NEFRTMC) project will be located at 930 North Jefferson Street, on the campus of the State Regional Service Center complex.  The NEFRTMC would be the 10th building on a site that is master planned for 11. Designed by Clemons, Rutherford and Associates, Inc. of Tallahassee, FL, the NEFRTMC would consist of a 25,000 square foot, one story building, 125 surface parking spaces and a communication tower.  20,000 square feet would be utilized by the Florida Department of Transportation and the remaining 5,000 square feet will be used by the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization.


The NEFRTMC was originally supposed to be located in the proposed Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center's office building.

This project should significantly impact two additional downtown sites on both sides of the St. Johns River. On the Northbank, the validity of the proposed Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center's office building becomes more questionable. When approved by the Downtown Development Review Board (DDRB) in 2009, the NEFRTMC was supposed to occupy 1/3rd of the building's space. With the NEFRTMC now headed to a new location and JTA investing in additional office space on Myrtle Avenue, it may be time to put the final nail in the coffin of the transportation center's office building.

On the Southbank, with the North Florida TPO relocating, additional focus should be placed on the future of its existing office at 1022 Prudential Drive.  Owned by the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, the highly visible, triangular shaped, 1.82 acre lot is immediately adjacent to Interstate 95, the Acosta and Main Street Bridge Expressways and a stone's throw away from increasingly popular San Marco.


The existing North Florida TPO office is highlighted in red.

The Downtown Development Review Board will meet Thursday, September 5, 2013 at 2 p.m. to review the design of the proposed NEFRTMC. The meeting will be held in the Lynwood Roberts room at City Hall (117 West Duval Street).

Next Page: Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Management Center DDRB Presentation



















































Source: DDRB September 5, 2013 Agenda Packet

Article by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com