Durkeeville 100 year old house in danger of demolition

[JaxUnicorn]

Thank you sheclown!  I certainly did try!  MCCD is out of control and MUST be reigned back in....quickly!!  Rest assured that I'm not done fighting....

[sheclown]

Landmark hearing this afternoon for 1481 West 6th Street.  We'll be there and let you know what happens.

[sheclown]

This has been deferred until the August meeting. I believe Joel is still waiting on a determination on the folk art

[sheclown]

HPC approved landmark status !

[thelakelander]

Great!

[Cheshire Cat]

Terrific!

[sheclown]

Joel's comments last night at the HPC meeting regarding the folk art carving (and included in his written report to the commissioners)

Mr. Myers used an unusual decorative treatment on interior trim and front door surround by chiseling repeated grooves giving the appearance of finger impressions.  The current owner, Lynette Myers, stated that "Grandpa carved his finger prints to remind everyone that this was him home."  IN additiona to represnting an example of African-American folk art, the symbolism of the design may have West African, as well as Gullah/Geechee cultural influences.  Gullah/Geechee culture is an African American tranditon stared primarily on coastal islands of South Carolina, Georgia, and Northeast Florida.  This unique folk tranditoin originated from former slaves, most from West or Central Africia, who were able to maintain many aspects of their original language and culture in the more isolated islands of the south Atlantic coast.

In preparing this report, no definitive relationship was confirmed linking the chiseled finger design found on the interior trim and door surround of 1481 West 6th Street with West African and Gullah/Geechee cultureal traditions.  Howver, photographs of the trim work was forwarded by University of Florida graduate student, Heather Marie Thwing, to several art historians at the university with one noting that the finger design was very similar to a style of Gullah/Geechee can carvings that frequently featured hand designs.  In addition, one of the designs used on square corners and plinths of the doors and window trim is reflective of the Adinkra Bese saka symbol of West Africa.  Bese saka is interpreted as "sack of cola nuts" a common cash crop in Ghana, as well as favorite treat of some native populations.  The symbol is generally associated with abundance, affluence, power, and unity through agriculture and trade.

[mbwright]

I wonder if there is a way to introduce legislation that if a buildin is given Landmark or other historical status (such as National Register of Historical Places, etc, that MCCD can not demolish it.  Historical status really needs to be protection with teeth. 

[sheclown]

The legislation is already on the books.  It is just not followed -- for some reason, the city believes legislation can be trumped by policy.

[strider]

I wonder if there is a way to introduce legislation that if a buildin is given Landmark or other historical status (such as National Register of Historical Places, etc, that MCCD can not demolish it.  Historical status really needs to be protection with teeth. 

What's interesting is that the legislation is there already, they just have to follow it. It isn't that Ms Scott can't be stopped by the HPC, the OGC or even the planning department.  It is that they won't do it, are afraid of Ms Scott and whomever protects her or just don't care at all in the end.  Maybe all three.

[mbwright]

OK, then maybe outside council, or a judge should make a ruling, or something to enforce the rules already on the books.  I am sure this has already been stated.  Can't the office, and/or Scott personally be sued?

[sheclown]

Look at the mayor's statement:

From the Mayor's town meeting:

Kim Fryer:

What are you going to do about the unecessary demolitions that are happening. It's got to stop. *crowd erupts in cheers".

Brown:

Yes, this is important but we need to also focus on safety. People who have bought into Springfield are next to broken down homes. They are worried about property values.

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,18927.0.html

He begins by throwing out the trump card "SAFETY" but doesn't stay there long before it is PROPERTY VALUES.

This SAFETY net is the power behind the policy.  But it is just this:

Abusing the public trust by tossing SAFETY around when clearly there is no danger to the public.

Crying SAFETY only to justify an agenda is can only (eventually) backfire.

[sheclown]

Joel McEachin has researched the African Folk Art found in the west 6th Street house and found a close match in this:

[sheclown]

[sheclown]

There were also round disks carved like the ones shown here: