FBC threatens lawsuit if not allowed to historic demolish building

[thelakelander]

Lol, people put too much reliance into the JHS and the power and expertise they don't have. They can certainly be a part of an effort, but as a former JHS board member, I can honestly say they aren't staffed to do that type of work.

[vicupstate]

Lol, people put too much reliance into the JHS and the power and expertise they don't have. They can certainly be a part of an effort, but as a former JHS board member, I can honestly say they aren't staffed to do that type of work.

What is there to prevent them from nominating these buildings that need protection? 

[thelakelander]

Chapter 307.104 in the City's Code of Ordinances.

Consideration by the Commission of the designation of a landmark or landmark site shall be initiated by the filing of an application for designation by the property owner, or his authorized agent, the Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission, the Mayor, the Jacksonville City Council, or any member of the Jacksonville City Council, with the Commission.

The historical society has just as little ability to change things as me and you. We all can make up lists for nominating but one of the four identified above are the only entities that can actually initiate landmarking for buildings needing protection.

In the case of FBC, the property owner went around JHPC to have council members with no knowlege of the policies, make a decision to recommend allowing the demolition to take place.

To put it short, the system is set up to make it easy to destroy and difficult to preserve. Jax's wolves are guarding the hen house.

[thelakelander]

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/first-baptist-appeal-to-tear-down-building-advances-to-full-city-council

[Tacachale]

Becton, Boylan, Dennis and Ferraro for and Gaffney and White against. However, Gaffney was the one who said old buildings frustrate him. That's rough since his district covers the oldest areas of the city. I predict that it will be a rough year. From my perspective, people in the community who care about preservation with need to get more aggressive and preemptive to landmark as many buildings as possible. This clearly won't be led by city hall. However, they may jump on board (like their doing with the confederate monument and names stuff) if they feel the political tide is turning in that direction.

It was Becton and Boylan against and Dennis, Ferraro, Gaffney and White for demolition.

[Steve]

Becton, Boylan, Dennis and Ferraro for and Gaffney and White against. However, Gaffney was the one who said old buildings frustrate him. That's rough since his district covers the oldest areas of the city. I predict that it will be a rough year. From my perspective, people in the community who care about preservation with need to get more aggressive and preemptive to landmark as many buildings as possible. This clearly won't be led by city hall. However, they may jump on board (like their doing with the confederate monument and names stuff) if they feel the political tide is turning in that direction.

It was Becton and Boylan against and Dennis, Ferraro, Gaffney and White for demolition.

Interesting. I'm pleasantly surprised by Becton.

Dennis makes no sense. Under his argument, literally any entity could claim "financial strain" and demolish anything.

[thelakelander]

Weird with the voting names. The picture sent to me last night showed Gaffney and White against, which was strange considering Gaffney's comment and Becton advocating it going back to HPC.

Unfortunately, Dennis' comment makes less sense, considering the massive amount of debt FBC is trying to force it's declining membership base into. Demolition is a drop in the bucket of what they'll be on the hook for.....if they can get approved for it. This is one I'm really fearful that all they do is demolish, go belly up and put on the market to sell.

[vicupstate]

Chapter 307.104 in the City's Code of Ordinances.

Consideration by the Commission of the designation of a landmark or landmark site shall be initiated by the filing of an application for designation by the property owner, or his authorized agent, the Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission, the Mayor, the Jacksonville City Council, or any member of the Jacksonville City Council, with the Commission.

The historical society has just as little ability to change things as me and you. We all can make up lists for nominating but one of the four identified above are the only entities that can actually initiate landmarking for buildings needing protection.

In the case of FBC, the property owner went around JHPC to have council members with no knowlege of the policies, make a decision to recommend allowing the demolition to take place.

To put it short, the system is set up to make it easy to destroy and difficult to preserve. Jax's wolves are guarding the hen house.

To what degree have they injected themselves into the debate on FBC and other demo cases in the past? Do they lobby to save these buildings, conduct research to support a historic designation, solicit their members to encourage writing the decision makers, etc? 

I would see their role as doing those sorts of things. Obviously they can't introduce legislation, but they can certainly seek sponsors from the 19 council members or from the JHPC.  Doing the research and leg work in advance would facilitate getting that kind of support.     

[thelakelander]

From personal experience, they aren't staffed to do that and doing such would be a dramatic shift in how they operate. As of now, JHS is primarily a volunteer board that spends much of its time like other nonprofits...attempting to raise money for its survival. It does have an executive director and a couple of employees but they'd need a lot more to effectively become a lobbyist camping out in city hall to tackle this ongoing issue. Unfortunately Jax doesn't have a group dedicated to what you're describing at this point in time. Establishing one to do just this is an active discussion taking place in various circles though. Hopefully, something will materialize soon. In the meantime, efforts to quietly landmark and save buildings individual continues.