Possible buyer for Hayden Burns Library Downtown

[Cheshire Cat]

Ouch!

Haydon Burns library sellers lost more than $1 million on deal

The Jessie Ball duPont Fund paid $2.2 million for the Haydon Burns Library in Downtown Jacksonville, according to public records.

The fund announced the closing of the sale Wednesday but declined to disclose the price. The deed was recorded Thursday.

The seller was a group of Jacksonville investors led by developer Bill Cesery. The group paid $3.25 million for the property in 2007.

full article: http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/blog/2013/06/haydon-burns-library-sellers-lost.html

That is indeed one big "Ouchie".

[Tacachale]

The dates tell the real story there. Considering they bought in 2007 and are in a position to sell now, they're far luckier than many others. I just hope everyone's still standing when the deal's done. Proportionately speaking, I think we all know folks who bought property in 2007 that are in worse shape than that.

[thelakelander]

Some more details about the Jessie Ball duPont Fund's $20 million renovation plan:

The nonprofit plans on spending about $20 million in renovations, and the building should be open and occupied by late 2014 or early 2015, Magill said.

“It’s an investment in downtown Jacksonville,” she said.

They plan on adding a green roof with a garden and potentially an area to throw a Frisbee disc or play croquet to the third floor roof, and they plan on converting the rest of the roof so that it absorbs less sunlight, saving energy.

They’ll turn the children’s puppet theater to a conference room.

They might turn the basement to a training center.

They might move the historic stairwell.

Magill hopes the building will host the Art Walk again. Bill Cesery, of the Cesery Companies, had hosted Art Walk events in the building until the fire marshal told him his building wasn’t up to code.

The Jessie Ball duPont Fund will take up less than 10 percent of the building’s space. The rest will be rented out to other nonprofits, retail services like a coffee shop or converted to public space.

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2013-07-01/story/jessie-ball-dupont-fund-will-spend-20-million-renovating-haydon-burns

[Noone]

Congratulations to all involved.
Who wants to be a 501-C? I'm serious.
Public, Private, Partnership
Help me see the Vision.

[joshuataylor]

hmmm, what an ideal location for a non-profit theatre group...
www.the5anddime.org
guess it's time to schedule a business lunch

[Bill Hoff]

Here's an update with design visuals:
http://m.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2013/12/18/take-a-look-at-the-dupont-funds-plans.html

[chipwich]

New windows still can't wash the ugly off of this building. 

Happy to see it getting occupied though.  I just wish they would use more lipstick on that thing.

[thelakelander]

We'll be running those and more as the feature story tomorrow. I held off today because of the restaurants article.

[JayBird]

I too am happy to see it occupied, but am I missing something? It seems the only exterior changes are planting palm trees. Why even tout that as a great accomplishment? I'd be more impressed when they release who will actually be occupying the spaces.

[tufsu1]

I believe they also plan on restoring all the outside tiles.

[Charles Hunter]

Thanks, jaybird, that was the only difference I saw ... and *maybe* new windows.

[Intuition Ale Works]

I believe the they can not alter the exterior of the building because it is considered historic.

[mtraininjax]

I believe the they can not alter the exterior of the building because it is considered historic.

Yep the only POS left from the 1960s binge of ugly buildings downtown. Of course the urban planners want to keep it, but who knew it would take THIS F'N long to get someone in it. The Old City Hall torn down to put THAT there, was better for the city than what is there now. Ugh.

[Charles Hunter]

I realize they can't change the historic "fins" - but was maybe expecting an outdoor cafe along the Forsyth frontage

And, when the old city hall on the site was torn down, the folks of the time probably said "Yep the only POS left from the 1960s  binge of ugly buildings downtown"

[icarus]

I believe the they can not alter the exterior of the building because it is considered historic.

I believe it is known as the aesthetic funk period of modern American architecture ... as in .. what the funk were we thinking?