LaVilla Shotgun Houses On Verge Of Being Demolished?

[Cheshire Cat]

Gloria, thanks so much for embedding my video links.    I have more to share on the topic of LaVilla and these old homes and will do so shortly.  After having uncovered reams of information and downright dirty activities and schemes in the heart of the destruction of LaVilla and my deep enduring friendship with the members of the community there and the "Brewster Alumni Nurses" this story still pains me terribly.  It is without a doubt one of the worst examples of racist destruction of a community, helped along by self serving politicians of both the White and Black race that happened to the historic fabric of Jacksonville.  There were so many games played that were based in the desire to erase LaVilla that the echo's of those efforts remain today.  This was a thought out and wilful destruction.  I spoke with many officials who were involved at the beginning of this effort from past city and state officials to local folks.  More than once, as the story was shared, I was told, "I am going to tell you what really happened, but if you say that I told you this I will deny it".  I was on the receiving end of letters from an attorney of one of the developer/architects Ted Pappa's that in essence threatened my continued involvement in saving LaVilla and specifically the Brewster Hospital and having some of the remaining land put into trust for appropriate use. The attorney was a partner in these dealings.  I was even told I would end up in a "ditch"somewhere one day for my efforts.  This swath of history is as ugly as it gets.  Some of those involved in the initial actions that saw the remaining structures wanting to be either demolished or moved to a park run by a local Black fraternity were Warren Jones, Reggie Fullwood, Reggie Estelle (attorney for the fraternity) and Al Battle who was the head of the DDA at the time.  I confronted all of them over the Brewster and LaVilla and found three different contracts in the city dealing with land handed over to developers for pennies on the dollar. That's three "different" contracts in city files in different departments reflecting a single deal. Things got so heated that Al Battle ended up leaving the city for a job in Miami.  I had discovered that documents that related to LaVilla and the Brewster were kept in the trunk of his car and not in city offices.  This was told to me and verified by Battles own staff members.  This is a very long and ugly story.

[sheclown]

Whatever you can tell us. We will listen

[Cheshire Cat]

I can tell you guys a lot.  So much.  Actually, all of this has me next to tears again and I am not a weak person. I am certainly not fearful either.  Had I been so, the Brewster would never be standing and the "full" story might remain unknown.    What was done here is shadowed in other remaining black communities and I am sure this will not surprise you, but in Springfield as well.  It's heartbreaking, so heartbreaking.

[sheclown]

save the houses.

[Cheshire Cat]

save the houses.

Indeed Gloria, save the houses and save what little remains of the history.  I have been pondering all of this since Ennis posted this thread, my heart is burning again over the ugliness of what has happened in our city and many would like to see buried and gone.  I don't believe things happen by accident.  I am hoping that now might be the time to breath some life back into the "true" history of Jacksonville.  What city leaders have attempted to do over the decades is destroy the real truth which is that Jacksonville began as a "Black City".  That is what they have tried to erase to suit their own version of history and in so doing, by denying the core of our beginnings we have since the beginning denied the truth of Jacksonville then and now.  Frankly, my heart has always told me that this "deception" is the crack in the veneer of Jacksonville's spirit that has made going forward so very difficult.  Just imagine if Jacksonville embraced that history, put life back into the truth, what good things could come from a truly unified city. 

[Springfielder]

I'm not at all surprised to hear that the administration wants to knock down the shotgun houses. They've sat behind the fencing, left to suffer the elements, but that does not mean they cannot be restored. The city over the years have taken LaVilla and virtually wiped it from the map and with that, wiped a major aspect of Jacksonville's history along with it. New medical and office buildings and vacant lots are basically all that's left. Brewster House is there, restored but remains closed with no life in it. Genovah Hall is an expensive shell with a tin roof...(talk about major waste and millions unaccounted for) and a house or so here and there, the rest...gone.

Jacksonville remains ignorant and unwilling to preserve any historical value at all. The city leaders keep spewing how they want COJ to become a major player, have spent thousands of dollars visiting major cities...and come back and fail to see the importance of history. Spending money for nothing, and still remain ignorant to what's important and what brings value to those major cities.

Those shotgun houses need help, they need to be preserved. They sit on blocks, no power, no water, just sitting and waiting for someone with the foresight in this city to step up and do the right things.

SAVE THE HOUSES!

[Cheshire Cat]

Dear Forum posters and readers.  We cannot standby and let the few threads of the remaining history of LaVilla be demolished.  I have written a letter to the members of the Land use and Zoning Board to defer action on this issue until they can be fully apprised of the "importance" of the restoration of these buildings is to our complete and shared history. Please either write a letter to the members of council listed below or copy and paste the one and send it a.s.a.p.  Thank you in advance for your efforts.

Land Use and Zoning
lboyer@coj.net
wbishop@coj.net
holt@coj.net
jimlove@coj.net
rlumb@coj.net
redman@coj.net

Dear Councilwoman Boyer and members of the Land Use and Zoning Committee,

It has come to my attention that a meeting is scheduled by this committee for August 6th, 2013 to potentially decide the future of the three Shotgun houses remaining in the community of LaVilla.  I am guessing that many of you do not know the full story of the lengthy and heartfelt efforts I and others have been involved in for nearly a decade to save not only the "Historic Brewster Hospital" but also the remaining "Shotgun Houses".  The story of the houses and the fight to save them is too long to share here but it is one that needs to be heard in it's entirety.  For this reason, I and other supporters of saving the structures are requesting that you "defer" action on this issue on August 6th so that myself and others have the chance to show city officials once again why it is so important that what is left of "Historic LaVilla" is saved.  I also want to point out that the city paid over $100,000.00 to move the shotgun houses to the location they are currently at and that efforts by individuals to have the restoration of these structures completed were a victim of a specific political agenda. Please refresh yourselves as to the issue and it's importance by visiting the attached link and reading the input posted there about not only the history of these houses but the concern of the citizens of Jacksonville to save them and by extension what is left of LaVilla history.  Please make sure to watch the three short videos posted on the forum link above as well.  Your consideration to this matter is very much appreciated.

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2013-aug-lavilla-shotgun-houses-on-verge-of-being-demolished

Sincerely,

Diane Melendez
Avondale

[sheclown]

done

[Cheshire Cat]

Thank you Gloria.  People can also contact the land and use committee members by phone on Monday and state their support of the structures and as for the issue to be deferred. 904 630-CITY can connect everyone to the members of Council.

Again those folks are Lori Boyer, Bill Bishop, Ray Holt, Jim Love, Robin Lumb and Don Redman.  Let's stop these destruction of what is left of LaVilla's rich history.

[thelakelander]

Thanks for your insight Diane. I'll write a letter as well.

[Cheshire Cat]

Thank you Ennis.  I have reached out to many on my "old grapevine" as well as new friends.  If we can get this deferred, I will drag my tired old backside out to make a presentation with your help down the road.  I want the people in office to understand that bringing life to LaVilla just might be the thing that creates enough buzz to excite investors.  I mean, we are talking "The Harlem of the South" here. 

[thelakelander]

Harlem of the South?  I'm ready to make the case that Harlem is the LaVilla of the North!

[Cheshire Cat]

Harlem of the South?  I'm ready to make the case that Harlem is the LaVilla of the North!

I'll make that case with you my friend. 

It might be wise to also have everyone email Warren Jones on this issue as well.  LaVilla is after all his district.  He needs to step up and take "positive" action to save what is left and breath no life into a powerful and rich past history.

Warren Jones. wajones@coj.net
                       (904) 630-1395

[m74reeves]

Another easy way to show your support for Landmark Designation of the endangered "LaVilla trio" of houses is to sign this petition on change.org.

http://www.change.org/petitions/jacksonville-landing-use-zoning-board-support-historic-landmark-designation-for-lavilla-shotgun-houses

It will automatically send an email to each of the members of the LUZ board. Let them know you think this is important!

[Cheshire Cat]

Another easy way to show your support for Landmark Designation of the endangered "LaVilla trio" of houses is to sign this petition on change.org.

http://www.change.org/petitions/jacksonville-landing-use-zoning-board-support-historic-landmark-designation-for-lavilla-shotgun-houses

It will automatically send an email to each of the members of the LUZ board. Let them know you think this is important!

Please everyone, sign this petition.