City interested in demolishing Claude Nolan building?

[thelakelander]

Thanks guys for all the info!!  A couple of silver linings I guess is that it would appear we have gone a decade with no additional purging of downtown ( I just can't really buy into Wormans. But each to his own.

This is part of the problem. A vibrant pedestrian scale urban environment is predicated on a sum of structures that add up into a dense cluster of buildings that interact with sidewalks adjacent to them.  Many of these buildings seem insignificant on their own but when you tear them down one by one, you end up with scorched earth, dead of activity.  You mentioned earlier that Broad Street/Worman's was on the edge of downtown.  Actually, at one point it was one of downtown's most vibrant retail strips with Laura Street style density stretching from the river to Springfield/Hansontown.  Now it's moonscape.  Unfortunately for Jax, the preservation and reuse of those little insignificant buildings are a key component to urban revitalization.

So let's strive to make it two decades!!! It just seemed from some on here that we have still been tearing down buildings at the rate of one per month!! This is not so, so perhaps we have turned the corner!!!

It's so.  However, you've drawn a small box that you believe is the urban core, when in reality the walkable core is historically a 30 square mile area.  What's happened in places like LaVilla, Brooklyn, the Eastside, Springfield and Durkeeville is outright criminal and ultimately slows down the revitalization of downtown, since it's actually dependent on the health and connectivity of the surrounding communities.

Another silver lining is that it appears that city/government has been the primary offender and hey... Really what else is there of sognicant size they need to build yet!! Oh, that pesky convention center?!! So perhaps the worst is behind us and we can now move forward and put our efforts into saving those worth saving and not keep living in the past. We know what it was and nothing can be done about it so focus on the future.

Seeing the Claude Nolan on the list and the issues raised with Springfield Plastics and the Durkeeville residence, I'm not sure we've learned from the past.  For me, that's the scary part.  If we have not learned, we're putting ourselves in position to spend a ton of money in downtown and not achieve the vision everyone is being sold on.

[edjax]

I hear you and understand but sometime we just seem to use so much of our energy on the past.  Like it or not there is not a thing that can undo what has already been done.  If people use 10% of their energy bemoaning the past to me it just seems like that is 10% of their energy that is not focused on dealing with what they can address. Of course not all are like this but seems to be enough of it showing.  You may not agree but hey we are all entitled to our own opinion and I see alot of it unfortunately.

[thelakelander]

^I don't think you're understanding what I'm saying regarding the past.  It's not really my opinion.  It's reality, not only for Jax but for most cities across the country. 

From an urban planning standpoint, you have to study, understand and accept the past, if the goal is to change/modify failed policies to keep the same old results from happening in the future.  What's going on right now is heightened exposure of policies that need to be changed before the next crop of our dwindling urban building stock meets the wrecking ball.  It's good that this type of discussion is taking place on a regular basis.  Such discussion 20 years ago, could have saved a LaVilla or a Brooklyn. 

Yes, those are gone, but we still have several areas that need to be kept from becoming the next LaVillas and Brooklyns.

[edjax]

I am not misunderstanding you and realize you are stating facts and my comments were not directed to you. When I stated it was my opinion that 'some' spend too much time bemoaning the fact and all they bring to this site seem to be negativity.  It reaches a point where that is just simple counter productive.  Again this is not directed at you. I know you are much more balanced than most on here. 

[thelakelander]

Gotcha. Yes, instead of bemoaning the past, we've got to harness that energy and utilize it to shape our future.

[edjax]

Gotcha

[Tacachale]

For instance, we can look into this Claude Nolan Building issue and see if something can't be done for it. For the library we could put our effort into finally getting some movement on the retail space.

[I-10east]

I have a theory concerning the outstanding 60's 'remodeling' of buildings with great architecture like the Claude Nolan had. It seems like all of these 'altered for the worst' buildings have one thing in common, they went from buildings with nice large glass windows to fortresses. So were these many buildings across the country modified for security reasons? I can imagine in the 60's that it would take nothing more than a rock to break or vandalize those old buildings with large windows (esp if they used regular glass).

[urbaknight]

http://apps.coj.net/PAO_PropertySearch/Basic/Detail.aspx?RE=0743860000

This is the owner. Whatever that means. Anyone know anything about them?

937 MAIN STREET LLC
P O BOX 330108
ATLANTIC BEACH, FL 32233

Is this another situation like the Bostwick Building?  Demolition by neglect?

Well he's located on the SS. So yes, he's another anti urban, good ol boy, country bumpkin. I can tell just by reading his address. This building is doomed, I'm sorry to say.

[thelakelander]

I believe the owner is Chris Hionides. He owns several buildings downtown and in Springfield.  Several of the newer businesses like Underbelly, Cowork Jax, Chomp Chomp and Burro Bar are located in his buildings.

[Tacachale]

This is really strange... it's the city rather than the owner who's pushing to demolish this building?

[thelakelander]

Perhaps it has something to do with the Hogans Creek clean up.  My guess is this parcel may be just as dirty as the creek and the old gas plant site across the street.

[billy]

Isn't there a City-filed lawsuit against the Park View owners related to site cleanup?
The ownership situation on the buildings(Claude Nolan) is not encouraging.

[MusicMan]

I love this building, and agree that it has big updside as a loft conversion. This building and this location are crucial to Springfield's longterm viability, so I personally hope that it can be restored to look like the original and become a focal point of the rejuvinated Springfield.

[Timkin]

^ I do, as well.   Think it would be yet another epic mistake in razing our historic places.