Potential Demolition in Avondale

[thelakelander]

The historic architectural record of the rap historic district will read like this: Major settlement in the 20's, much growth thru the 40's, mostly filled in the the 60's, a few remaining structures built during the 80's, then.... quite inexplicably, much of the later stuff was removed and building mimicking the 20'ish style reappear?

This pretty much sums of Jax's architectural scene in general.

[choosing2disappear]

I guess, but a map from 1980 won't show much outside of  I-295. But it's certainly true for the core of our rotten apple.

[choosing2disappear]

I agree with you Grimms.

My post wasnt as to why the classic architectural styles themselves are resuscitated, but merely about why people think that its important that only those styles should be built in a district.

I think that like every era, most of the contemporary architecture is just dreck.  A few designers stick out, a few ideas are worth keeping and implementing, and a few architects rise to the level of genius with one or another project.

I am a person who prefers historic districts as well, and I love them for the same reasons that you mentioned as well.  I would like to experience the quirks and complexities, and the endless unrepeatable experiences of life.

And I think it should be considered a moral (if not mortal) sin to tear down perfectly good historic fabric for the sole intention of building something cheaper and more profitable.

I would also add to your list, a love of quality and excellence:  Homes that will last hundreds of years, made of materials that took work and skill merely to cut into the right dimensions to construct the home, inlays and details that were worried over by craftsmen who cared about the quality.

The kinds of houses that were built before the nightmare sheetrock and toothpick slums were created as money making machines for real estate developers.  The kind of houses that were built as homes, for the enjoyment and profit of the families that lived in them.

The little bungalow should be saved, yet..... and this is totally academic, if I could trade it for say,.....the Lerner building torn down last summer, I'd do it in a heartbeat. That left a pretty deep scar on this town.

[choosing2disappear]

I try to be, but have lately been evolving toward disgruntled.

[urbanlibertarian]

Don't let the bastards wear you down!

[fieldafm]

Is there a middle ground?  

As stated, I am against the demolition of this particular bungalow.  I drove by it again today and can certainly picture a magnificent renovated bungalow(Its really not in bad shape as is).

But to comment on Lakelander's point I do think there is a middle ground.  Two amazing houses within two blocks of the Greenwood bungalow are the house on the corner of Glendale and Oak, and the home on Pine and Shadowlawn.  These are two great buildings that are certainly 'different' architectually from the surrounding homes, yet do not take away from the fabric of the community. 

I respectfully do not agree that homeowners that choose to infill within historic districts from homes built by the likes of Low Country or SRG are somehow blind sheep. 

[mtraininjax]

I think RAP should have the people in Riverside and Avondale vote on whether to keep RAP or disband it. I know a few people who were presidents of RAP who think that some people take this way too far. Who is RAP to tell a homeowner what they can and cannot do? RAP is becoming the gustapo of the neighborhood. The residents should get a census of whether they want to keep it or scrap it.

[braeburn]

I do not understand how the property in its current state is not considered "valuable" by the current owner? Is there something missing from this story?

[fsu813]

I think RAP should have the people in Riverside and Avondale vote on whether to keep RAP or disband it. I know a few people who were presidents of RAP who think that some people take this way too far. Who is RAP to tell a homeowner what they can and cannot do? RAP is becoming the gustapo of the neighborhood. The residents should get a census of whether they want to keep it or scrap it.

that's kinda ridiculous. but, you can't make everyone happy. so....

[Debbie Thompson]

If you buy in a historic district, you should expect to follow the special rules that apply to them. If you don't want to meet the historic guidelines, you should buy somewhere else.  It's that simple. Historic districts aren't the only neighborhoods in Jacksonville with restrictions on your property. That should be considered in your purchase decision.

In a historic district, preservation of the historic housing stock should be the #1 priority. 

[Steve]

I think RAP should have the people in Riverside and Avondale vote on whether to keep RAP or disband it. I know a few people who were presidents of RAP who think that some people take this way too far. Who is RAP to tell a homeowner what they can and cannot do? RAP is becoming the gustapo of the neighborhood. The residents should get a census of whether they want to keep it or scrap it.

Just want to throw out that when the vote was cast for the official historic district designation, it passed with 81% approval.  That's larger than most elections for elected officials.  Pretty fair IMO

[Dan B]

^ In fact, covenants in place in historic neighborhoods are far more often ignored and pushed aside than those of most of you HOAs.

[JeffreyS]

I think RAP should have the people in Riverside and Avondale vote on whether to keep RAP or disband it. I know a few people who were presidents of RAP who think that some people take this way too far. Who is RAP to tell a homeowner what they can and cannot do? RAP is becoming the gustapo of the neighborhood. The residents should get a census of whether they want to keep it or scrap it.

You know they would vote to keep it. You have no doubt about that. So why did you post this? Was it just too late at night and you were sleepy?  Taking the preservation cause a little too far is way better than letting the area be homogenized. IMO

[Restoration and Education]

I think RAP should have the people in Riverside and Avondale vote on whether to keep RAP or disband it. I know a few people who were presidents of RAP who think that some people take this way too far. Who is RAP to tell a homeowner what they can and cannot do? RAP is becoming the gustapo of the neighborhood. The residents should get a census of whether they want to keep it or scrap it.

The above is an example of ignorance. RAP CANNOT tell you and anyone else in the histrict district what to do. It will ALWAYS comes down to the CITY commission and their histrict preservation department. RAP upholds their mission. Sure there are some people, within RAP, who take it way too far but they do not have the authority to stop anything or approve it. RAP has a bad rap because of a misplaced anger or frustation from various residents who want to blame someone for not being able to add a 3 car garage with an upstair guesthouse at their 1500 sqft bungalow. When it is the CITY how decided. You cannot blame RAP, if your arguement is better than theirs then you win, plain and simple.

[fsu813]

seems like the orgs that serve the historic districts generally get a lot of misplaced grief...

i've heard that the hsitoric districts in New Enegland can get insane.

they tend to attract "characters" i guess.