Stealing our history, demolition in Springfield

samiam · March 20, 2009, 08:02:12 PM

The city of Jacksonville must have a vendeta against Springfield they are demolishing houses left and right. What is going on here. Springfield is a designated historic district. As Stewart's of a historic district they should ensure the historic fabric remains intact not riped off. The house are being tagged as unsafe structures, yes they are unsafe to live in but they are not unsafe to work on. Instead of demolishing them if they are deemed unstable (There are very few unstable houses if any in Springfield, most are already gone) and the owner is unwilling to stabilize the house have the city go in and stabilize it and place a lien against the owner. This will get rid of the Demolition by neglect mind set that some investors have.

mtraininjax · March 21, 2009, 01:35:19 AM

As a point of reference, all areas of town have houses set for demolition, Riverside, Avondale, San Marco as well as Springfield. Being in a historical area has no bearing for being saved from the wrecking ball. If the structure is not deemed historical in character by the City, and it is causing a neighborhood problem, it is coming down.

Liens do not work in the case of foreclosures or titles that are a mess. Why wait, letting a house deteriorate for 2 or 3 or more years, when you could level it now and take care of the problems. An empty lot is easier to police.

thelakelander · March 21, 2009, 08:20:41 AM

I wonder at what point do you cease to be a historic district? One of these days we're going to have to make a map indicating the number of historic demolitions that have occurred in the district since it was designated in the mid 80s.

samiam · March 21, 2009, 08:31:45 AM

I agree thelakelander a map would be interesting. It might open a few eyes.

samiam · March 21, 2009, 08:45:21 AM

The map should also include houses that where lost prior to being designated historic because they were part of springfields history as well.

samiam · March 21, 2009, 08:52:38 AM

Off the top of my head on Market st between 1 st and 8Th there is appox 26 lot that have new houses or are vacant. It could be more.

samiam · March 21, 2009, 09:01:20 AM

Just so No one misunderstand me I am in favor of historic infill as long as the new houses fit into the neighborhood

vicupstate · March 21, 2009, 09:03:40 AM

Quote from: mtraininjax on March 21, 2009, 01:35:19 AM
As a point of reference, all areas of town have houses set for demolition, Riverside, Avondale, San Marco as well as Springfield. Being in a historical area has no bearing for being saved from the wrecking ball. If the structure is not deemed historical in character by the City, and it is causing a neighborhood problem, it is coming down.

Liens do not work in the case of foreclosures or titles that are a mess. Why wait, letting a house deteriorate for 2 or 3 or more years, when you could level it now and take care of the problems. An empty lot is easier to police.

Demolition by neglect does not have to be tolerated, and isn't in cities that take historic preservation SERIOUSLY. The owner can be fined. That is not a lien. It is against the PERSON, not the property.

Where is SPAR?

Where is the Jax Historical society? I forgot, all they care about is selling books. Books with pictures of structures they should have protected but didn't.

This city is such a joke.

Springfielder · March 21, 2009, 01:50:14 PM

There's a hearing on the 25th, in reference to a request to demolish the house at 1528 Walnut, which is not a safety issue at all....this is supposed to be the historic district and they keep knocking these places down.

samiam · March 21, 2009, 03:40:26 PM

why is this happening enough is enough, I moved to Springfield to live in a historic house not to watch them come down.

thelakelander · March 21, 2009, 08:06:39 PM

What is SPAR's and the Historic Commission's position on these continued demolitions?

Springfielder · March 22, 2009, 06:48:27 AM

I know that SPAR has been contacted about the latest one, and they've not responded back.

aubureck · July 31, 2009, 12:55:52 PM

The Historic Preservation Commission is greatly opposed to the widespread demolition that has been occurring in recent months in the Springfield Historic District. A subcommittee of Commission members has been formed and is currently in the planning stages so that these types of demolitions will cease and improve the working relationship with Code Enforcement who is responsible for the majority of the demolitions.

iloveionia · July 31, 2009, 03:14:05 PM

This is good news aubureck. How did you come upon this information? I'm not sure where to find HPC meeting minutes (haven't perused the internet as of yet to search.) Maybe it is there?