by Monica Chamness
Staff Writer
Shortly after opening in 2000, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s $12 million Kings Avenue parking garage was tagged downtown’s ghost garage.
But the critics were misguided, say JTA officials, who claim their strategy for the Southbank parking facility is moving forward as expected.
JTA’s original projections were that 150 to 200 automobiles would use it in the first year, with an additional 200 to 250 the next. Stephanie Barker, a spokesperson for the JTA, maintains the strategy is progressing as planned.
“We’re at 22-23 percent occupancy,” said Barker. “According to our director of operations, we’re right on track. We don’t want to build something and have it completely full the next day. If we can continue the growth, by the time the garage is seven or eight years old it should be full.”
“We never went in and thought that from day one the garage was going to be filled,” said Marci Larson, manager of communications and marketing for the JTA. “We figured it would be over a four to five year period. It’s progressing as planned. The idea is to use it for future expansion, allowing room to grow. It’s the same thing I heard about JTB [J. Turner Butler Boulevard]. ‘Why build a road to nowhere?’ You don’t need to evaluate that situation now to see its need.”
Built as a component of the Skyway system, the Kings Avenue garage provides parking for those who need to travel downtown. The original intent was for the Kings Avenue garage to service Northbank and Southbank commuters and those frequenting San Marco.
“There has been steady growth on the Skyway,” said Barker. “We gained a few riders when the garage opened.”
JTA hopes the Kings Avenue garage will mirror its parking lot at the Osborn Center.
“The convention center lot is at 98 percent,” said Barker. “As San Marco grows, I don’t have any doubt that it [Kings Avenue garage] will be a real asset soon,” said Larson. “With developments happening and the road widening, parking in San Marco is a challenge.”
Specifically monthly parking only, the garage offers a rate of $33 for a full month. There is a catwalk adjoining the building to the Skyway system so drivers can access it for free. In front of the complex, a 200-spot surface lot is $1.50 for six hours. The garage is open from 4:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. weekdays, and after 5 p.m. all Skyway parking is free. So why aren’t more people parking there?
“It’s a whole mass transit concept not familiar to the community because everyone is used to door-to-door transport,” said Larson. “It’s very convenient and a real bargain. Once people use it, they are very complimentary about the facility.”
Both companies and individuals contract for space there. The most recent reports show 390 users of the garage and 45 users of the surface lot. For the last couple of years, the site has also been used as a stadium shuttle stop for Jacksonville Jaguars games.
Routes for the new San Marco new trolleys have not been finalized, but a shuttle stop at the Kings Avenue garage is being considered.
“At some point, we will be looking at a rapid busway or light rail,” said Larson. “Kings Avenue would be a station stop.”
In the meantime, JTA has hired a consultant to make recommendations on public parking locations, community transportation routes, ways to approach the business and how to market their services to larger groups.