Battle for the historic armory

[thelakelander]

By David Chapman, Staff Writer

Completed in 1916, the former National Guard Armory has served many purposes.
The home for National Guard troops, a place to train. It's been a spot for social gatherings, an entertainment venue with boxing matches, concerts. Most recently, it's housed city departments.

The site has been discussed as a possible elections office and a homeless day center, but neither idea went anywhere.

It's been vacant for years, has deteriorated and needs work.

In 2011, the city Recreation Department asked nonprofits to submit ideas they had for the facility. The Sons of Confederate Veterans, Kirby-Smith Camp 1209 responded and has since worked with the city on plans to restore the building and turn it into a museum. A bill for a lease was filed with City Council in June.

"What the building represents is the history of Jacksonville and the military heritage of Jacksonville," said Calvin Hart, camp commander.

Then, something happened. A group of four nonprofits came forth seeking the historic site, wanting to turn it into an arts and education hub.

Suddenly, the armory is a hot piece of real estate.

full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=541143

[Debbie Thompson]

"We think we have a better use of this space for the community and the city of Jacksonville," McAvoy said.  Hart disagrees with the notion.  "It's about the building," he said. "That's complete disrespect to the veterans who served out of the armory and sacrificed. It's becoming a veterans issue now."

Seriously?  A veteran's issue?  C'mon now.  The last tenant was the COJ Parks Department, not soldiers.  My father and father-in-law were WWII veterans.  My mom headed up a Women's Voluntary Service Core unit. I have relatives that fought in the Revolution, and at least one I know of that fought for the Confederacy.  I respect our veterans and appreciate every day the freedoms I have because of the price they paid.

BUT...it is my firm opinion that the proposed arts hub is the better use of this facility for the neighborhood and the City of Jacksonville than a military museum.  No matter who runs it.  And when the Sons of the Confederacy first proposed its use of the building, I felt the same way.  I felt that wasn't the best use of the building, for the community or the City.

[CG7]

That's a big ass building. Why can't they share the space, and that way the cost of renovations, and upkeep wouldn't fall on one entity.

[Tacachale]

If there's so much interest in the building, why try an RFP to see if someone can pay for it?

[Bill Hoff]

Also: www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2013/11/25/sclc-opposes-sons-of-confederate.html

[sheclown]

KKK and ballet

[CG7]

Wow, I am hardly a fan of people waving a confederate flag, but to compare The Sons of The Confederacy to the KKK is ridiculous.

[icarus]

I think as a City owned property that its best to revise the RFP if this becomes a major dispute but keep in mind from what I understand Sons of the Confederacy responded to the initial RFP and the new group is late to the party.I'm not sure either proposed use is ideal but with this much interest, maybe a new RFP is the best answer so as to evaluate interest and best outcome for the City.

Also, I understand this is the age of politicization but I certainly think characterizing the Sons of the Confederacy as the KKK is way out of line.  I am sure they have had issues with radical factions as have every organization including the SCLC but their membership contains an awful lot of former governors, politicians, business people and celebrities to be a bastion of racist hate. Keep it classy.

[MEGATRON]

KKK and ballet

Wow.  What an asinine thing to say.

[sheclown]

KKK and ballet

Wow.  What an asinine thing to say.

You're right...the proposed art project is much larger than just ballet.

[strider]

Now wait a minute, I thought mentioning the KKK was OK, after all, we do have a racially minority high school named after the original Imperial Wizard.

I personally do not care who gets the Armory as long as whichever group does, it has the proper resources to do the required repairs and that it's program brings in a large enough group of people to downtown that it justifies the $ 1.00 a year lease.  I don't know enough about the Sons of Confederate Veterans to say if they can deliver or  not.  I will say the comment about someone saying that the arts idea for the armory is an insult to veterans and insinuating that they are going to make this a veteran's issue is no better that the obviously tongue in check "KKK and Ballet" comment.

[sheclown]

Metrojacksonville:  where we talk about the elephant in the room.

(Now, THAT's classy)

[KuroiKetsunoHana]

[...] their membership contains an awful lot of former governors, politicians, business people and celebrities to be a bastion of racist hate. Keep it classy.

(implyïng that the south isn't chock goddamn full ov racist governors, politicians, business people, and celebrities)

[Noone]

2013-384 is the active piece of legislation. The current applicant told me after the 6/25/13 Public hearing that they could support 24/7 Public Access to Hogans Creek. Councilwoman Kimberly Daniels the sponsor of the legislation is opposed to this friendly amendment.

[Ron Mexico]

Wow...race baiting...how enlightened.  Next thing will be publicly shaming those who had relatives that simply lived in the South prior to 1863.

What a bunch of assh**es.