Another Historic Downtown Demolition In The Works?

[JaxUnicorn]

The HPC hearing has just begun for this issue.  Property owner is not present at this point.

[JaxUnicorn]

Joel McEeachin is presenting the structure to the Commission.  Roof issues have caused some of the brick to separate from the subwalls causing some damage.  Retains much of its original character. Each of the four mantles are different.

[JaxUnicorn]

John Crowley had a daughter named Elana - perhaps where the building name came from.
Is historically significant - marble threshold, decorative stairways, leaded glass, each floor with separate entryway
Exterior design associated with Klonin (sp?) revival normally used for single family structures.
Terra cotta detail and corbels are also significant on the exterior.
Suitable for preservation
Would be a candidate for mothballing
Planning & Development found that the structure did in fact meet 4 of the 7 requirements for Landmarking.
Owner did not share with Joel what the use of the property would be after demolition.

[JaxUnicorn]

Public Comments
Woman who works at the Supervisor of Elections building next door - supports preservation but is concerned about the decline in the building, vagrants and animals.  Also mentioned concern if a fire were to break out it would be devastating.
She thinks the building is too far gone to be saved.

[JaxUnicorn]

I just spoke in favor of Landmarking.  Advised PSOS would be willing to accept the property as a donation and work to mothball it and potentially help to obtian the funds to fully restore it.

[JaxUnicorn]

Ricco Auditore spoke in favor of Landmarking.

[JaxUnicorn]

Michelle Tappouni spoke in favor of Landmarking on behalf of SPAR.

[JaxUnicorn]

Doug Nichols spoke in support of Landmarking the structure.

[JaxUnicorn]

Public Hearing closed.  Jennifer Mansfield made a motion to adopt the staff report, deny the demolition permit and recommend/sponsor the application for Landmarking.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.  Owner does have 14 days to appeal the denial of the demolition, but Landmarking will move forward.  The owner never arrived.

GOOD JOB JHPC!!!

[Wacca Pilatka]

Thank you for all the updates.  Good news!

[thelakelander]

+1

[sheclown]

    



2015-170
   

ORD-Q Designating the Elena Flats Bldg at 122 E Duval St as a Landmark;Directing Entry on Zoning Atlas; Directing Notification of Designation. (Dist 4-Redman) (Abraham) (Req of Jax Historic Preservation Comm)

LUZ PH 4/7/15

Public Hearing Pursuant to Chapt 166, F.S. & CR 3.601 - 3/25/15

1. 3/10/2015 CO  Introduced: LUZ


ORDINANCE 2015-170
AN ORDINANCE REGARDING CHAPTER 307 (HISTORIC PRESERVATION), ORDINANCE CODE; DESIGNATING THE Elena Flats building LOCATED at 122 East Duval Street in the northeast part of Downtown, IN COUNCIL DISTRICT 4, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, AS A LANDMARK; DIRECTING THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR TO ENTER THE LANDMARK DESIGNATION ON THE ZONING ATLAS; DIRECTING THE CHIEF OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES TO NOTIFY EACH APPLICANT, THE PROPERTY OWNER AND THE PROPERTY APPRAISER OF THE LANDMARK DESIGNATION AND TO CAUSE SAID DESIGNATION TO BE RECORDED IN THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF DUVAL COUNTY, FLORIDA; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

[JaxUnicorn]

Landmark status is being sought for this structure. Part of that process is presenting the package to the Land Use and Zoning (LUZ) committee. That will take place tomorrow, 04/07/15 at 5:00 PM.

SUPPORT BILL 2015-1709
City Hall - St. James Building
Council Chamber - 1st Floor Atrium
117 W. Duval Street


If you can attend, that would be GREAT! If you cannot attend, please email the committee members:

Ray Holt - Chair
Stephen C. Joost - Vice Chair
William H. Bishop
Lori N. Boyer
Jim Love
Don Redman

The Landmark Package can be downloaded on the Preservation SOS forum: 
http://forum.preservationsos.org/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1717

[aubureck]

Apparently the LUZ committee voted down the landmarking of the Elena Flats building last night.  They didn't think it was salvageable.  Unfortunately, there was no one there from the community to speak on it.

[strider]

From the other thread:

Evidence was presented and citizens spoke up for it at the Historic Preservation Commission meeting.  The speakers were under the mistaken impression that the HPC commissioners were the experts in this matter (not the LUZ) and therefore the place to present their case.

How disrespectful of the city council to, once again, disregard the experts in this matter.

The fight for the Claude Nolan building took a year's worth of meetings.  I know that I went to too many meetings to count to advocate for it.  Others as well.  Hours upon hours upon hours upon hours. 

That being said, the Claude Nolan was shot down in LUZ as well.  It took Robin Lumb and Dr. Gaffney to stand up for it in full council. 

Maybe there is still a chance in full council.

Most of City Council, heck, most of Jacksonville, do not get the importance of preservation, the importance of having existing buildings available, the importance of not having empty lot ofter empty lot.  We are not a city that seems to learn from others nor do we seem to learn from our own mistakes.  It often seems like we are simply doomed to repeat, like a nightmare version of Ground Hog Day.

With this decision, even the smart ones seem to have fallen for the rhetoric of it's not worth saving.  When the likes of Bishop and Boyer can't see the truth of things, how can we ever move this city forward?

No, I did not go to this meeting.  Frankly, I never intended to.  I knew what the result was going to be.  One or two voices speaking for this in front of a panel that truly does not get it or had it's mind made up already for political reasons; it just didn't seem worth while.  Perhaps that means the city wins and can destroy itself.   I don't know, but it does certainly mean I am beginning to no longer care. I am getting tired of the delay of hope.