6th and Market

Sigma · April 10, 2009, 02:55:38 PM

Quote from: vicupstate on April 10, 2009, 01:54:20 PM
Does the Historic Commission have to approve the demolition?

Yes they are supposed to inspect it and approve. Not too long ago they would NEVER approve unless the building was falling in and was too dangerous to even inspect. No it seems all you gotta do is ask.

samiam · April 10, 2009, 02:56:22 PM

The wall facing 6Th street is the only historic part left and it is covered with a pinkish paint

thelakelander · April 10, 2009, 03:08:16 PM

Quote from: fsu813 on April 10, 2009, 02:29:09 PM
I love historic buildings and architecture.......but that doesn't look like either.

Nothing too unique about it, from the outside at least.

I was in the area earlier today and decided to snap a few "before" photos. It was built in 1915, so its just as historic as any other structure in the neighborhood.

http://apps.coj.net/PAO_PropertySearch/Basic/Detail.aspx?RE=0713130010

It has an interesting mix of building materials, styles and components. Textured block, residential over retail, gabled roofing with multiple chimneys and New Orleans style balconies over the sidewalk. You'll be hard pressed to find something identical to this in the historic district. The market condition suck, but someone with creativity could turn something like this into a special place. It will be sad to see it replaced with another vacant lot.

thelakelander · April 10, 2009, 03:10:37 PM

If it comes down, I hope this lot is zoned to allow for something just as dense to replace it. Springfield needs density.

TheProfessor · April 10, 2009, 04:16:08 PM

The building has definite potential, but that would cost a lot of money to invest. On one had an ugly building looks better than a vacant lot. On the other hand a well designed new building on the empty lot would look even greater....Show me the money.

Steve · April 10, 2009, 04:19:39 PM

I think it's about deciding what your neighborhood wants to be. They fought to be a historic district, and now that they are, they want to torch every old building. Sometimes people forget that the neighborhood is a historic district BECAUSE of buildings like this, not the new stuff.

Springfielder · April 10, 2009, 05:32:18 PM

That's exactly what's happening....this neighborhood is historic, and there's SPAR...who seems to be perfectly okay with knocking down all of our historic buildings for new....if they keep this rate up, we'll be stripped of the historic district title.

sheclown · April 10, 2009, 06:17:13 PM

I like this building. I remember going in when the store was open. I certainly hope it isn't torn down.

Springfielder · April 10, 2009, 08:33:56 PM

I used to go there too...it was nice having it so close by for bread and quick stuff like that. If nothing else it always seemed clean.

mtraininjax · April 11, 2009, 02:36:27 AM

At the end of the day, SPAR is just not RAP...

Springfielder · April 11, 2009, 07:12:43 AM

I have to agree, they've lost their focus and no longer seem interested in preserving our historical value

samiam · April 12, 2009, 11:37:48 PM

A nice lady that use to live in my house back in the 50's came by a few months ago and told me stories about
living here as a little girl. One story she hold was that she use to sit on the front stoop swinging her legs looking at the store and wishing she had money for a lolly pop.

ChriswUfGator · April 13, 2009, 07:14:31 AM

Quote from: TheProfessor on April 10, 2009, 04:16:08 PM
The building has definite potential, but that would cost a lot of money to invest. On one had an ugly building looks better than a vacant lot. On the other hand a well designed new building on the empty lot would look even greater....Show me the money.

That goes for every single house or building over there, not just this one.

They all cost more than they're worth to restore. You can get a 5000 sq ft house in S'field for <$100k, but you'll have to dump $300k into it. That's how it goes...

That's no reason to start knocking everything down.

sheclown · April 13, 2009, 07:21:55 AM

It is by far easier and cheaper to build new than to restore. It is also easier to maintain a new home than an older, restored home.

But when is easier and cheaper, better?

It is an intregal part of urban sensibility to cope with a certain amount of ugliness. Shabby chic. That's us.

fsujax · April 13, 2009, 08:03:29 AM

I lived right behind this building for two years. I met the owners several times and they shared thier plans with me. It is ashamed nothing has happend. That whole corner is coming along nicely. Lots of work has been done on the west side of Market St, if only this store could be converted into a mixed use it would pull it all together there nicely.