1626 Ionia: It's Coming Down, maybe, maybe not.

[thelakelander]

This looks to be in better shape than this duplex in St. Louis before it was restored.









Source: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=4159327&postcount=30

[Timkin]

wow!!

[thelakelander]

Timkin, this is the type rebuilding that has been going on for years in many other cities.  The structures being torn down throughout Jacksonville are no where near the level of decay as many of these restored buildings were.  There has to be a way of properly preserving and boarding up vacant structures in this city until opportunities for redevelopment come along.  One would think that we could save a ton of money currently being spent on demolition by doing so.

[Timkin]

When I was looking at these pictures, I was thinking... These places are LITERALLY falling down.. In FAR  FAR worse shape than anything I have seen around here (well maybe except the Ritz theatre ,prior to it being "Restored")  I was living in Orlando when that renovation took place but my understanding was, PART of the facade was saved in that instance.   These are amazing.

Then I have heard back and forth for years the argument of Restoration VS demo and new build.. In a later post, I will share something I read a while ago when I first learned that PS #4 faced demolition..  When you look at pictures like this ( Which tells the story as it really is)  There is no argument when you walk through a historic structure such as that School, and there is no argument of the building's stability.. It is no where close to these pictures.  Most of what has been razed in Jacksonville, was similar or in better shape.   

If I had my pipe dream realized, #1 my very favorite School house in this City would be put back into use and completely returned to her glory.  #2 , I would work in the HPC area of the City, and fight for these places, wherever they are in this city.  I respect that we have individual Preservation areas in some parts of town , but nowhere close to the emphasis is placed, that SHOULD be for all of these creations.   I was looking quickly through a paperback book , last evening , at Walgreens of the many structures that once made the magnificent downtown of Jacksonville, and some surrounding areas of the city, and it became depressing.   Obviously I do not live in Springfield, but I sure believe that NO MORE DEMOLITION should take place.  When you look at a structure, such as the one in the above pictures, this says it all !  95% of these houses that are being condemned are COMPLETELY UNARGUABLY savable!  And Lake THERE IS a way to stop this.. GET RID OF THE MINDSET that allows this type of thing to continue to happen!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is cheaper to board these structures, hands down , over and over, than to demolish them.  Get a mindset running code-enforcement that is a little more tolerable and understanding and RESPECTFUL of these great pieces of someone from the past's VERY HARD WORK!   Once they come down , it is much MUCH more expensive to replicate in the true sense,  these historic buildings/homes.

(just my 2cents... No retail value) 

[thelakelander]

The best way to change the mindset is to elect a mayor that truly values historic preservation.  If such a person could get elected, they'd most likely clean house and reload with a governmental network that complements their views and policy goals.

[Timkin]

A posting , origonally posted several years ago on UP.   It pertained to the Preservation of PS#4, but also in the post, is information I read about the benefits of Historic Preservation, in Florida and the many ways it truly benefits.

The article from back then :

From timkin at UP (I am sure he wont mind as this is his first post and it seems he is mainly concerned with saving Annie Lytle):

Quote:
Hello folks...

This is in reference to the Annie Lytle Elementary School. On 7 February 2006, at 4:15 pm , a City Council meeting will be held. Among other bills is the Bill for the proposed demolition of the School. ( #2006-0024).
you can go online, ( Duval county residents) to www.coj.net. Search for this bill number. On the same website you can comment on your position, and vote in favor of (demolition) or against , OR appear in person at the Jacksonville City Council Meeting.

It is my sincere hope that enough people feel as I do about this very Beautiful and Timely Historic Example of The Neoclassic Architecture. I had the priviledge of being allowed into the building and video and photograph alot of the interior and most of the exterior of the Building, mostly because i fear it will soon be a thing of the past. It is Appaling, to say the very least , what 30 years of vacancy and vandalism , and 89 years of age has done to the condition of this incredible piece of history. I am no carpenter or Architect, but i firmly belive this building CAN and SHOULD be saved, however so long as any type of FOR PROFIT business wants to do anything with it , it is my belief that it will either get torn down or remain vacant. The reason? Most if not all of the Rehabilitation costs falls on the Developer/Purchaser. This is in part why, at least I belive, no proposal has ever flown with regard to the renovation of this school. One member of Urban commented that a Community center should occupy it. I totally agree, seeing as it is the Taxpayer dollars that would be used to do this project. According to the latest Developer , between 8 and 9 million. Personally, I dont take that as gospel. I think depending on what type of business, whether profit or non-profit, figures can be made to either work or not, and someone in a for-profit business is obviously in it to make money. So to a degree, I see why this doesnt seem feasible to save. SO , to that I say. the building needs to go either to the City of Jacksonville, to be utilized in someway , like the community center , which i think is a fantasic idea, or a non-profit or group of non-profit organizations to occupy it, or even affordable loft housing. To me , nothing else i can think of will fly. I hope the current proposal to demolish is denied, and frankly, also hope that then , this current developer seeks out another piece of property to buy, preferably a vacant lot.

Now id like to share something i read about Historic Preservation. This Article was by a author and economic development professional , by the name of Donovan Rypkema, who is NOT , per se a preservationist. This is to quote the article....

"In Florida, $1million spent rehabilitating a older building creates 36.9 Jobs--20 in the construction industry and 17 elsewhere in the economy. That is-- about 2 more jobs than the same amount spent in new construction."

"In Florida, $1million of HISTORIC PRESERVATION creates NINE more jobs than manufactoring a million dollars of electronic equipment, EIGHT more jobs per million, than a million dollars of wholesale activity,and EIGHT more jobs than producing a million dollars of agricultural products. HISTORIC PRESERVATION means jobs for Florida."

"In Florida, $1million spent rehabilitating an HISTORIC building ultimately adds OVER $2MILLION to the state's economy."


That alone is food for thought, when one poses the question, is THIS historic Landmark worth saving?

sorry for the lengthy post. I really wish to see this beautiful school saved. Regards

This is something we should participate in, if you agree it should be saved.
__________________
"Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men's blood." -- Daniel H. Burnham

[Timkin]

The best way to change the mindset is to elect a mayor that truly values historic preservation.  If such a person could get elected, they'd most likely clean house and reload with a governmental network that complements their views and policy goals.

Definitely a good place to start.  Not only a Mayor that respects preservation, but is not all about making the all-mighty dollar work just for them and their friends, and no one else . Sorry...was that mean?

[iloveionia]

I have photos of the interior of this home, and additional exterior photos.  There is strikingly gorgeous wood paneling in the basement on the ceiling and the walls.
It's a worthwhile project for someone to take on, particularly if they have some of the skills to do the work themselves.
I need time to pull the pics from the camera to facebook to this site.  Hopefully in the next couple of days.

[uptowngirl]

And a code enforcement officer that will work with them, allowing the time to do this house justice and not rush them along to a subpar renovations just to get the city off their back. A lot of times when someone dos step up they are pressured by code enforcement with unfair timelines (or face fines) and end up doing a subpar renovation instead of a nice lovely restoration.

[sheclown]

How long does it take to strip a staircase of 100 years of paint?  Drum sand 75 years of crud off of the floor?

To repair plaster is a work of art.  To throw knock-down on new drywall is efficient.

To knock a nail into 100 year old true lumber can take a lifetime!

[iloveionia]

Here are the panels on the ceiling and walls in the basement at 1626 Ionia:

[sheclown]

Nicole...do you have any idea what that area was intended to be?  Do you suppose it was built to be an apartment? 

[Timkin]

What ever it was intended to be, the structure is beautiful (even in its present state) and should be spared.

[sheclown]

What ever it was intended to be, the structure is beautiful (even in its present state) and should be spared.

agreed.

[Timkin]

  glad someone agrees with me