Park View Inn

[JeffreyS]

Does anyone know if their are any plans for the Park View Inn on the corner of Main and State?

[downtownparks]

Not as of last I heard. I would love to see something like that happen.

[billy]

Who owns the property?
Isn't it a contaminated site?

[Steve]

It is owned by Robert Van Winkle, who was going to turn it into workforce housing.  However, nothing ever got off the ground with it.

I've been in the building, and it actually has a lot of potential for something like this.  It is a contaminated site, but my understanding is that if it remains sealed (not cracking the foundation, it can be renovated as is.  If the foundation is cracked, then its a problem.

[walter]

I've heard that its going to become a museum to blight.  It'll remain in virtually the same condition, but will get a nice plaque, donated by the city, to show when the building became vacant and how its became the eyesore that it is.  I've even heard that its been nominated for an award for Best Blighted Eyesore in Jacksonville and is to be registered on the National Register of Historic Blight.    So fans keep your fingers crossed.

[rjo]

Can't believe it was built in 1964. I remember it as "The Heart of Jax" a hotel that catered to the railroad. It was a bit dated and I thought it was older in the very early 80's, It did have a Restaurant that was open 24 hours though! Became "The Hacienda"  I think) about 84-85. Maybe something else a bit after that. I remember being there for many (SPAR) Springfield events and believe I was there when we entered The Gulf War. The place had become serious neglected about 10 years ago.

[zoo]

walter, national register of historic blight -- LOL!

for blight museum, i think the park view would have a lot of competition. it could be one more thing for visitors downtown to get confused about:

"honey, let's stop at the museum of blight"
"ok, there it is"
"no, that's not it, that's it over there"
"are you sure? it could be that one over there"
"wait, there are 3 more blighted buildings in this block"

[Timkin]

You cant miss this Blighted Museum.. its the only Blighted Museum on the street that takes up an entire city block =D


Downtown Parks and I are going to sneek to the site with wrecking balls in the still of the night. by 6 am it should look alot better.

[jbm32206]

That would be fine with me....that place just really looks terrible

[fightingosprey07]

It's no wonder we have a homeless problem in this city. With buildings like that one around, we're pretty much inviting them to stay.

[thelakelander]

While you all are joking, the "Museum of Blight" may be a good idea to look into.  I'm not sure, such a thing exists.

[Ocklawaha]

Lake it's a great idea, why not a museum of blight? In fact why not a museum of failed projects, stupid ideas and really, backward thinking...

Could we start at the St. James Building and work out from there? Embed a giant fake crystal in the sidewalk out front and proclaim our selves the INTERGALATIC CENTER OF STUPID?  I'm certain the crystal would communicate our message to the cosmos.

Back to the old hotel... Hell I didn't know it was out of business?!?! I was by there just a day or two ago and a couple of my streetwalker friends told me they had a room they rented by the hour!

Ocklawaha

[Coolyfett]

It's no wonder we have a homeless problem in this city. With buildings like that one around, we're pretty much inviting them to stay.

ROFLMAO!!!!! dude for some damn reason this quote is really funny to me. My eyes are watering!!!

This building needs to be destroyed. They should have blown it up like they did the coliseum.

[Timkin]

I think it would make a great test site for demolition.  Maybe leave the foundation and put about 2 ft of topsoil on it and plant grass. Major improvement.


=D

[walter]

Back to the old hotel... Hell I didn't know it was out of business?!?! I was by there just a day or two ago and a couple of my streetwalker friends told me they had a room they rented by the hour!

Ocklawaha

oh I can assure you its not out of "business", it still functions much like it used to.  I met a gentleman recently who lived there for about two months.  He would take scrap metal from inside to the scrap dealer for cash during the day and sleep there at night.  He told me there were a few people who did the same.  Pretty funny.