Historic Bostwick Building Demolition Meeting Tonight

[Tacachale]

Good news, and thanks for covering it, guys. Man, it's really hard to have much sympathy for the Bostwicks considering that every issue they're facing is self-inflicted. Maybe - maybe - we'll finally see some action on this.

[sheclown]

It was a wonderful evening -- Jacksonville stood for preservation tonight and stood together. 

[jcjohnpaint]

Great News

[I-10east]

and evil garden troll, Don Redman.

LMAO.

Good to hear that there were unanimous decisions for the Bostwick's historical status and no-go on demo.

[sheclown]

I know the city won't take the property right now but perhaps it should.

The city, through Jason Teal, clearly threatened to take the building if the Bostwicks don't sell.  And not only take it, but charge them the legal fees it will cost to do so.

They would foreclose on the rolling fines (which are at 60k and grow by $100 a day).  The city council would ask general counsel to initiate a law suit against the brothers to take the property.  This was no mere threat.  Jason took the LUZ through the process and felt quite confident the city would win.

[thelakelander]

I don't see why these guys are being such a pain.  Most people would run around naked in the streets with joy, if offered three times as much for a property you've put no money into.  Bostwicks.....take the +$300k and run.

[sheclown]

The buyer (whose contract has expired) told us that he has invested $60k in the process of purchasing the building.  He dropped the contract because the sellers continually played games (my words not his).  He stated that he is still interested in the Bostwick, but indicated that the price offered would be lower (presumably by $60) than he offered below.

LUZ clearly encouraging the brothers to take the deal.

Sometimes, in situations like this, less is more.  One of the Bostwicks stated last night that the family had the means to fix up the building, but never thought is was "economically feasible" to do so.  Add that to the fact that the brothers met with Don Redman years ago to ask about getting it landmarked to qualify for funds to fix up the building.  When they found that it wasn't available, they dropped the landmark request.  This came from Redman.  Last night the brothers denied asking Redman for the landmark status.

So, calling a councilman a liar wasn't a great move either.

What not to say at a city council meeting....

[sheclown]

"Does demolishing the building in some way eliminate the lawsuit that has been pending for seven years?" Matt Schellenberg

The lawsuit has been ongoing since 2007.  The neighboring party said it would dismiss the suit if the project gets renovated.

Interestingly enough, the answer to whether or not rolling fines are erased, per Jason Teal, is no.   It stops the rolling fines, but does not remove them.  This is a question PSOS has been wondering for a long time.  So, there are vacant lots all around Springfield with demo liens and huge rolling fines on them.  NICE.  And we thought the ash dumping was toxic.

[sheclown]

Terry Lorrince from Downtown Vision has been wanting, heck needs that property to be properly redeveloped. Lori Boyer I believe is in the preservation corner too and of course MJ's very own SheClown being there I hv a good feeling about the outcome here tonight. Would love to see a restaurant/art gallery/performance space/something/anything come here. But even the Big Cat is better than a vacant lot, IMO

Thanks JayBird.  Yes, you were right to have a good feeling about tonight's outcome.  And it looks like the restaurant may have a chance after all.

[sheclown]

Jim Love is speaking, and has apparently taken the night off from communism to speak up for the historic fabric of the building.  Nicely presented, actually.

Yes, he spoke eloquently about preservation last night. 

[Noone]

"Does demolishing the building in some way eliminate the lawsuit that has been pending for seven years?" Matt Schellenberg

Interestingly enough, the answer to the question, per Jason Teal, is no.   It stops the rolling fines, but does not remove them.  This is a question PSOS has been wondering for a long time.  So, there are vacant lots all around Springfield with demo liens and huge rolling fines on them.  NICE.  And we thought the ash dumping was toxic.

Makes you wonder about $$539,244 in ordinance 2013-377 to Remove Property Code violations city-wide in compliance with Chap. 518 Ord. Code.

DIA Board meeting Today at 5pm 1St floor city hall.

At the 7/24/13 DIA Board meeting OED had the DIA vote away their say.

The Authorization to Negotiate and Engage on Various Downtown Projects had the Bostwick added to the Pre submitted list. This all happened prior to the start of the new guy Aundra Wallace.

[Scrub Palmetto]

Man, this is better than football. And that's as much a comment on the quality and color of the reporting here as on the outcome. Thanks, Stephen and Joshua. A victory for team preservation. Heck, a victory for Jax.

[fsujax]

Great news.

[Cliffs_Daughter]

Man, this is better than football. And that's as much a comment on the quality and color of the reporting here as on the outcome. Thanks, Stephen and Joshua. A victory for team preservation. Heck, a victory for Jax.

Second that!

[IrvAdams]

Yes, yes, yes - great news, thanks to all involved. Thanks for the great posts last night, I read them all with anticipation. It looks like Jax is looking forward, and beginning to appreciate its treasures. A plan is definitely coming together.