Ten Historic Springfield Demolitions

[JaxUnicorn]

When all else fails construct the worst strawman possible. We hate poor people.  Thats it... It has nothing to do with income. It's about personal responsibility, self respect, respect for others and taking just the smallest amount of pride in the property that you own or inhabit.  Now there is a strong correlation between the lack of personal responsibility and poverty.  Not many go-getters that get shit done are also poor. But that is another discussion. 

So again your finger is pointed toward me and people that think like me and not at the people that are making the mess.  I'll say it once again. I am not the problem the people that don't act in a responsible manner and take care of their property and let it degrade to the point that the city has to intervene are the problem.  That isn't a race position. That isn't a rich vs poor position (I'm middle class BTW) it is simply a judgement based on their personal behavior.

If you bought property and don't maintain it - you are irresponsible. If you bought property and didn't make the payments and it got foreclosed on - you are irresponsible.

I love the urban setting. I love historic buildings. I like the SRG historic knockoffs. I like the urban character and diversity of the people that live here.  I don't want to look at run down and or burned out shitboxes that have no hope of restoration or reuse because they are a repellent to the responsible decent people that I hope decide to move a business here or move their family here.

Well, since clearly John P, Big Nugget and Apache think the way to make our historic district better is to get rid of all the remaining historic fabric, and get rid of all those pesky poor people, I think I have nothing else to say to them.

While I apologize if I hurt anyone's feelings, and of course I don't think they should move, I think they don't get it.  I still think they would be happier in the suburbs where all the houses are the same age and same price, and they could rest assured everyone around them makes the same money as them.  But since they appear to want the historic district to become that instead, I have nothing left to add.  I've been there, done that, didn't like that.   

With no hard feelings, I shall proceed to ignore their posts, since I can't change their minds, and they clearly are not going to change mine.  :-)   I suggest others do the same.

Who wants to talk preservation?

BigNugget.....whatever!  You just don't get the preservation aspect.  I wonder...do you live in an old historic home or a newer infill home?  Not that one is better than the other - but if you're in a newer home, that may explain why you just don't get it.....

[JaxUnicorn]

I'm always portrayed as being anti-urban, but what about the Commander Apts? I think that they should NOT be razed, and renovated, similar like Tower Place was. I don't want it torn down for that rephasing project. Obviously the Argyle residents have no problem with the Commander. It seems like no one is with me on this thing. Silly me, the Dancy Terrace Mansions are way more valuable than the Commander, what was I thinking?

So I guess for a change, I'm a 'save everything urban hippie' and if you want the Commander torn down, you're a suburban-minded rich person who don't understand urban fabric. 

If you want to start your own grassroots organization to "Save the Commander" then I will not give you any flack about it.  Am I interested in joining that cause?  Probably not (I'm busy enough with Springfield!).  But it is your right to fight for what you believe in. 

And that is what I, along with many others, are doing for Springfield....fighting to SAVE THE HOUSES!  And if you don't agree, that's OK because it is your choice.  I'm still going to fight for our history.

[BigNugget]

Old and lovely.

BigNugget.....whatever!  You just don't get the preservation aspect.  I wonder...do you live in an old historic home or a newer infill home?  Not that one is better than the other - but if you're in a newer home, that may explain why you just don't get it.....

[Debbie Thompson]

Yes, clearly people who were laid off in this economy, or became gravely ill and could not work, and can no longer make their mortgage payments, and were foreclosed upon, or can't keep up with maintenance, are irresponsible!  Yes, that's it!  I'll have to tell my friends in that situation that they are not unfortunate due to the economy or their illness, they are irresponsible!  Gospel from the mouth of Big Nugget. 

Many of our old, lovely homes have not always been lovely.   Some of them were burned out shit boxes before someone came along and restored them.  Lisa Simon's house had no roof for 15 years.  Pat LaMountain's house at 5th and Laura had a fire.  I understand the lovely bungalow we live in used to be a triplex.  If Big Nugget really loved historic buildings, he or she would see the potential every one of them has.

[Debbie Thompson]

And I said I was going to ignore him.  My bad.

[thelakelander]

Lisa Simon's house had no roof for 15 years.

15 years, no roof?  I wonder how long could a building with no roof survive in today's Jacksonville before being taking out?

[BigNugget]

I'm sorry. When I see a hornets nest I need to poke it. I can't help myself.

Yes, clearly people who were laid off in this economy, or became gravely ill and could not work, and can no longer make their mortgage payments, and were foreclosed upon, or can't keep up with maintenance, are irresponsible!  Yes, that's it!  I'll have to tell my friends in that situation that they are not unfortunate due to the economy or their illness, they are irresponsible!  Gospel from the mouth of Big Nugget. 

Many of our old, lovely homes have not always been lovely.   Some of them were burned out shit boxes before someone came along and restored them.  Lisa Simon's house had no roof for 15 years.  Pat LaMountain's house at 5th and Laura had a fire.  I understand the lovely bungalow we live in used to be a triplex.  If Big Nugget really loved historic buildings, he or she would see the potential every one of them has.

Big Nugget is here to troll, Debbie.  He isnt really interested in all this.  Not with those internet millions coming into the neighborhood where he simultaneously provides a bunch of jobs, but keeps to himself so that no one knows who he is.

[MarcyMcCann]

I know this is late in the game, but I just ran across this disheartening article. Having owned the home on the corner of 9Th and Liberty for 23 years, and having Chaired the SPAR Zoning Committee among other roles to serve the community, I was utterly shocked to see the demolition of some of these structures. Although I moved in late 1999 and sold my home 2002 my heart is still very much anchored in that 12 Blocks Square. I serve on the Architectural Review Board in my new community in Virginia and I can tell you there are those here who are disassembling large buildings that could be used as artist housing, studio space and music venues all while acting as if doing something good for the town.

After all these years, only ignorance would lead to these 10 Springfield apartment and major buildings being destroyed. Insenitivity and lack of understanding of resources available, and just plain vanity can lead some to "bring in the bull dozers" instead of call together people to remeding the situation.

To those who can before me, and to those who came afterward I applaud your work to restore usefulness to Springfield's buildings. Ron Seruga the first president of Springfield Preservation and Restoration and I sat in his living room the Monday after the first Home Tour weekend in 1979. A small core of us had worked like dogs to bring this great marketing event to life. We worked round the clock at the end and were worn to a frazzle.  I looked at him and he looked at me and he said "What do we do now?" to which I answered "We start all over again!" and we did.

Those years of fighting City Hall, Realtors and Appraisers, slumlords and blight were hard years, but the friendships that were formed are still relevant today. The picketing, work parties, the countless hours of time spent by so many to document the value to of those buildings to Florida's, Jacksonville's and to our Nation's history was preformed by hundreds of people who saw the value in living in and being a part of a "community".

Those still shouldering the burden and those who will come to call Springfield home, will build the same wonderful memories that I have to call upon now. Keep it up folks...don't let the short sightedness and ignorance of some, tear down what is of value to our future. Find more Paul Shockeys, more Michael Bryants, more Jack Walshs, more women like Louise, Sandy Darling, Lisa Neary, Dora Carver and hundreds more I can't go on to name.  They out there for sure. Keep up the good work folks. 

[sheclown]

Mary...did you say Louise?  You obviously missed the decade when she advocated for the demolition of the houses.

That being said, thank you for sharing your story and thank you for your work years ago.  We stand on your shoulders now.

[JaxUnicorn]

Thank you Mary for your comments and your very hard work to get the Springfield historic district started.  We do indeed stand on your shoulders as sheclown has stated.

Regarding Louise (deSpain), she may very well have been one of the good-doers in the beginning, but that indeed did change at some point with her advocating demolition of our grand old ladies.  She is thankfully no longer a part of our neighborhood but I applaud her efforts as well as those of others early-on.

SAVE THE HOUSES!