Mellow Mushroom: Working with the Avondale community

[JHAT76]

Even though it isn't a contributing structure, the Gas Station carries a great deal of history and nostalgia with many people in the neighborhood.

The adaptive reuse would have added character, and PRESERVED some history of the Shoppes.

To go along with that.  When can we call a building historical enough to save?  Should it be an arbitrary date?  What was built originally or as originally planned in 1910 or whenever the area was officially laid out?  If we do that we will never see the area turn into something more than just a bunch of old houses.  I would like more than that.  I would like to see my property value increase please. 

[JeffreyS]

I do not care that much about saving the gas station as having the better of the two designs.

[If_I_Loved_you]

I do not care that much about saving the gas station as having the better of the two designs.

Amen! The new designs look so much better then keeping the gas station.

[fieldafm]

The new designs look so much better then keeping the gas station.

What is it specifically about the new design that you like better?

[If_I_Loved_you]

The new designs look so much better then keeping the gas station.

What is it specifically about the new design that you like better?

I like the modern look of the building it fits the space. With a lot of outside patio tables. The new parking where the old gas station is now looks good.

[ChriswUfGator]

I do not care that much about saving the gas station as having the better of the two designs.

Amen! The new designs look so much better then keeping the gas station.

That's the literal exact opposite of what the person you quoted said...

[fieldafm]

With a lot of outside patio tables.

The outside seating was cut by over a half. 

[If_I_Loved_you]

With a lot of outside patio tables.

The outside seating was cut by over a half.

One does have to compromise, I just hope that area is Non Smoking!

[iluvolives]

Even though it isn't a contributing structure, the Gas Station carries a great deal of history and nostalgia with many people in the neighborhood.

The adaptive reuse would have added character, and PRESERVED some history of the Shoppes.

To go along with that.  When can we call a building historical enough to save?  Should it be an arbitrary date?  What was built originally or as originally planned in 1910 or whenever the area was officially laid out?  If we do that we will never see the area turn into something more than just a bunch of old houses.  I would like more than that.  I would like to see my property value increase please. 

RAP was created in 1974 to preserve buildings that were mostly built around the 1920's- so not unlike people in 2012 wanting to keep a building around that was built in the 1960's.

I agree though- gas station nostolgia aside, the original design was far superior, provided green/community space and reused an exsisting structure. The greenest building is the one already built.

[Captain Zissou]

The new designs look so much better then keeping the gas station.

What is it specifically about the new design that you like better?

I like the modern look of the building it fits the space. With a lot of outside patio tables. The new parking where the old gas station is now looks good.

I can't tell if you're trying to make a joke, or if you just have horrible taste.

[If_I_Loved_you]

Even though it isn't a contributing structure, the Gas Station carries a great deal of history and nostalgia with many people in the neighborhood.

The adaptive reuse would have added character, and PRESERVED some history of the Shoppes.

To go along with that.  When can we call a building historical enough to save?  Should it be an arbitrary date?  What was built originally or as originally planned in 1910 or whenever the area was officially laid out?  If we do that we will never see the area turn into something more than just a bunch of old houses.  I would like more than that.  I would like to see my property value increase please. 

RAP was created in 1974 to preserve buildings that were mostly built around the 1920's- so not unlike people in 2012 wanting to keep a building around that was built in the 1960's.

I agree though- gas station nostolgia aside, the original design was far superior, provided green/community space and reused an exsisting structure. The greenest building is the one already built.

RAP is a joke I remember back when the Riviera Parkway Apartments were to be torn down? RAP said this about the older apartments "The existing Riviera Parkway buildings have been renovated and altered sufficiently in the past that they are not worth preserving as historical structures, Grissett said. "They're non-contributing structures because of the changes they've made [over the years]," she said.

[If_I_Loved_you]

The new designs look so much better then keeping the gas station.

What is it specifically about the new design that you like better?

I like the modern look of the building it fits the space. With a lot of outside patio tables. The new parking where the old gas station is now looks good.

I can't tell if you're trying to make a joke, or if you just have horrible taste.

The really funny thing Captain Zissou this project is going to happen and the new design looks so much better then that old nasty looking gas station! 

[Captain Zissou]

The new designs look so much better then keeping the gas station.

What is it specifically about the new design that you like better?

I like the modern look of the building it fits the space. With a lot of outside patio tables. The new parking where the old gas station is now looks good.

I can't tell if you're trying to make a joke, or if you just have horrible taste.

The really funny thing Captain Zissou this project is going to happen and the new design looks so much better then that old nasty looking gas station! 

It looks better than the old gas station, to be sure, but the MM proposed design is far superior to the new one.  The new one has no thought behind it, no consideration to the environment it creates and how it interacts with the environment immediately surrounding it.  The new design is almost the mirror image of the MM on Southside Blvd, which does not belong in a historic district.

[PeeJayEss]

This is sad. Do we need to start a new organization to remind RAP of the spirit under which it was founded. RAPP: Riverside Avondale Preservation Preservation: an organization dedicated to restoring RAP to its roots, wherein it actually advocates for preservation of historic structures and the *historic character of the neighborhood, conceding demolition of non-contributing structures only as a last resort.

*Also, there will be a reminder to RAP that the historic character of the neighborhood did NOT, in fact, involve driving everywhere you went and being able to park within 20 feet of it when you did.

"We Love Avondale" is simply a menace. Mellow Mushroom should tell them both to go to...somewhere hot. Considering the original versus the "conceded" design, I'd rather have the folks running Mellow Mushroom advocating for the preservation of my neighborhood than either of these two groups.

[If_I_Loved_you]

The new designs look so much better then keeping the gas station.

What is it specifically about the new design that you like better?

I like the modern look of the building it fits the space. With a lot of outside patio tables. The new parking where the old gas station is now looks good.

I can't tell if you're trying to make a joke, or if you just have horrible taste.

The really funny thing Captain Zissou this project is going to happen and the new design looks so much better then that old nasty looking gas station! 

It looks better than the old gas station, to be sure, but the MM proposed design is far superior to the new one.  The new one has no thought behind it, no consideration to the environment it creates and how it interacts with the environment immediately surrounding it.  The new design is almost the mirror image of the MM on Southside Blvd, which does not belong in a historic district.

The Southside blvd mellow mushroom design goes with that strip mall style. Now come on Captain Zissou you know the Avondale site will not mirror that design. Sure the plans laid out call for stucco and brick but it will look a lot better then any other MM in Jacksonville.