Off Stockton, I'm understanding the old middle school - John Gorrie? (sp?) - is undergoing a loft conversion. Yet, I haven't seen anything online or have run into anyone in the neighborhood with much info on the process. Anyone have info to share? Will they be lofts or more conservative condos - rentals or what?
Thanks in advance.
I think I'm guilty of Freezing the last MJ thread about this subject with my posts about how they are going to deal with security.
WE live in this neighborhood and don't see the need for this converted school to put up barbwire fences and security Gates.
I hope the current plan is helpful to the neighborhood. Wasn't there plans to have former school buildings opening up to King street as retail space?
I think I read in the T-U that this project is being developed by Delores (Mrs. Wayne) Weaver.
I wouldn't put it past the weavers to put up some big wall on this place...i don't see them keeping this places continuity with the rest of the area going...walls and gates...its the weavers of course..."they're special"..remember..I just don't see the reason behind such security...it's just going to ostracize the place..that family seems to not have a clue as to what a metro neighborhood needs...unless they take down the fences and let the place come part of the neighborhood of riverside it'll be a travisty for all of us that have to put up with what the wealthy thinks is right for us all...
Aren't the fences and barbed wire there just to keep the construction materials, tool, and supplies from "wandering off" in the middle of the night?
I don't think it's a permanent feature of the project...
They are apartments, not lofts.
The current fence is temporary for construction security, but there will certainly be some security fencing for the parking. It isn't going to be barbed wire or chain link, not in the RAHD. Agin code!
The white vinyl windows that have been installed are UGLY! Hope they are going to be painted to blend in with the brick.
Word is that the band and cafeteria buildings along Stockton, the windowless blocks, are going to be torn down and retail stores mirroring the Marybuilt and other buildings across Stockton.
There was a "groundbreaking" last week for the Stockton Street Town Center Improvement Project. It involves right-of-way and median improvements as well as putting the ugly powerlines underground from Post Street, under I-10 to Phyllis Street. Should really spiff up the area.
Mrs. Weaver has poured a huge amount of money into this project to save this beautiful old school and improve the neighborhood. Thanks!
Once they get the retail up on Stockton, that will be great. I think they could renovate and re-purpose the band building, but starting from scratch will allow them to build bigger and have more density. There are plenty of opportunities around there for additional infill. This is a very important project for the neighborhood and I can't wait to see what additional development this creates.
I'm absolutely floored by the knee jerk comments here about a fenced construction project. The courthouse project also has chainlink & barbed wire.... is anyone else outraged over that?
I'm really excited for the streetscape project- I think it will make a huge impact on the area, or atleast the preception of the area.
The windows have been discussed at length. Anytime John Gorrie is on the agenda at the JHP meetings, it takes up the majority of the (already insanely) long meetings.
To say that the Weavers are just doing whatever they want is simply not accurate Garden Guy. They are working hand in hand with JHP/RAP/etc on the project from soup to nuts.
Lets give someone that is pouring millions of dollars into a project for no reason other than the betterment of the neighborhood(they certainly don't need the money) a little credit. Opening up retail along Stockton served by 100 or more additional residents is going to be a big help in restoring a once vibrant commercial corridor.
They aren't Republican, so you are not required to dislike them. :)
+ 100 :)
Quote from: Garden guy on January 26, 2011, 07:40:51 AM
I wouldn't put it past the weavers to put up some big wall on this place...i don't see them keeping this places continuity with the rest of the area going...walls and gates...its the weavers of course..."they're special"..remember..I just don't see the reason behind such security...it's just going to ostracize the place..that family seems to not have a clue as to what a metro neighborhood needs...unless they take down the fences and let the place come part of the neighborhood of riverside it'll be a travisty for all of us that have to put up with what the wealthy thinks is right for us all...
This may be the funniest statement in the comment... The Weavers have raised and donated over $14 MILLION... most of it distributed to inner-city children, programs and institutions.
Quote from: Shwaz on January 26, 2011, 11:51:38 AM
This may be the funniest statement in the comment... The Weavers have raised and donated over $14 MILLION... most of it distributed to inner-city children, programs and institutions.
Well said. Hey, I like the Jaguars as much as anyone, but the real benefit the team has (in my perception) is 1) the Jaguars Foundation and 2) the Weavers' personal giving to causes in Jacksonville. Huge impact.
And this deal with Gorrie is one more aspect of their presence here that makes Jacksonville a better place.
GG reflexively blames "the rich" for most of societies ills. ::) :D
Who is the general contractor on the project (the school)?
Quote from: stjr on January 26, 2011, 12:29:06 AM
I think I read in the T-U that this project is being developed by Delores (Mrs. Wayne) Weaver.
That's about as much as I heard on the street - I just hadn't seen anything in writing or heard other bits.
Quote from: billy on January 26, 2011, 02:56:51 PM
Who is the general contractor on the project (the school)?
A company called Gordon's Castle, LLC.
Quote from: Garden guy on January 26, 2011, 07:40:51 AM
I wouldn't put it past the weavers to put up some big wall on this place...i don't see them keeping this places continuity with the rest of the area going...walls and gates...its the weavers of course..."they're special"..remember..I just don't see the reason behind such security...it's just going to ostracize the place..that family seems to not have a clue as to what a metro neighborhood needs...unless they take down the fences and let the place come part of the neighborhood of riverside it'll be a travisty for all of us that have to put up with what the wealthy thinks is right for us all...
Seriously?? The Weavers have got to be the most unassuming NFL team owners in the league. In fact, they were walking home from dinner in front of my home the other night down Herschel st with their to-go box. If that's not down-to-earth then I don't know what is. Not sure where you were going with that assertion about their being "special". I think this development will be nothing but a great thing for this area of Riverside. Maybe you could upgrade and rent one when they finish renovations.
A huge thank you to the Weavers!!!
Gorrie will be condos, not apartments. Projected to be for sale in late March, early April.
I went to Gorie and i see it as our city leaders making sure that this school would closed and basically handed over to the public...that school was there for a reason..to teach our children...our city apparently fine with giving our schools away to deveolpers and you guys may also but i see it as just one more school gone from the children....i'll never be able to support such ideas....
Garden, Gorrie had not operated as a school for many years. There were not enough children in the area to support it so it had been turned into a supply depot and offices. No children have been deprived of an education because it is being converted.
The school was not "given away" either. The Weavers paid full market price for it.
This project is a win all the way around thanks to the Weavers. You might as well give up trying to stir up negatives about it.
Quote from: Dog Walker on February 01, 2011, 07:50:35 AM
Garden, Gorrie had not operated as a school for many years. There were not enough children in the area to support it so it had been turned into a supply depot and offices. No children have been deprived of an education because it is being converted.
The school was not "given away" either. The Weavers paid full market price for it.
This project is a win all the way around thanks to the Weavers. You might as well give up trying to stir up negatives about it.
come on dog walker, theres an agenda here! Stop the fact checking
Quote from: Dog Walker on February 01, 2011, 07:50:35 AM
Garden, Gorrie had not operated as a school for many years. There were not enough children in the area to support it so it had been turned into a supply depot and offices. No children have been deprived of an education because it is being converted.
The school was not "given away" either. The Weavers paid full market price for it.
This project is a win all the way around thanks to the Weavers. You might as well give up trying to stir up negatives about it.
Yeah DW... you are really messing with GG's version of the facts...
I know a couple parties that actually got out bid by the Weavers. They definitely paid right at market rate for the property, if not a little extra.
Garden Guy, I missed watching Rachel Maddow last night. How was it?? What conservatives are we supposed to hate this morning??
:D :D
Quote from: floridaforester on January 26, 2011, 10:15:10 PM
Quote from: Garden guy on January 26, 2011, 07:40:51 AM
I wouldn't put it past the weavers to put up some big wall on this place...i don't see them keeping this places continuity with the rest of the area going...walls and gates...its the weavers of course..."they're special"..remember..I just don't see the reason behind such security...it's just going to ostracize the place..that family seems to not have a clue as to what a metro neighborhood needs...unless they take down the fences and let the place come part of the neighborhood of riverside it'll be a travisty for all of us that have to put up with what the wealthy thinks is right for us all...
Seriously?? The Weavers have got to be the most unassuming NFL team owners in the league. In fact, they were walking home from dinner in front of my home the other night down Herschel st with their to-go box. If that's not down-to-earth then I don't know what is. Not sure where you were going with that assertion about their being "special". I think this development will be nothing but a great thing for this area of Riverside. Maybe you could upgrade and rent one when they finish renovations.
+1, Wayne gets his hair cut at the Great Clips on Margaret, it doesn't get much more down to earth.
When did they move from their place in Lakewood?? Where are they now?
Quote from: Captain Zissou on February 01, 2011, 11:10:16 AM
When did they move from their place in Lakewood?? Where are they now?
They live in the Villa Riva (aka Tower of Power :)) high rise in Riverside. Been there for a couple of years now I think.
Quote from: cline on February 01, 2011, 11:39:22 AM
Quote from: Captain Zissou on February 01, 2011, 11:10:16 AM
When did they move from their place in Lakewood?? Where are they now?
They live in the Villa Riva (aka Tower of Power :)) high rise in Riverside. Been there for a couple of years now I think.
Bumped into Mr and Mrs Weaver at the European street in Riverside
Quote from: cline on February 01, 2011, 11:39:22 AM
Quote from: Captain Zissou on February 01, 2011, 11:10:16 AM
When did they move from their place in Lakewood?? Where are they now?
They live in the Villa Riva (aka Tower of Power :)) high rise in Riverside. Been there for a couple of years now I think.
That makes sense. That building does house some very powerful people. While it's not exactly in the neighborhood, it's nice to have him on our side of town.
Quote from: Captain Zissou on February 01, 2011, 11:44:51 AM
Quote from: cline on February 01, 2011, 11:39:22 AM
Quote from: Captain Zissou on February 01, 2011, 11:10:16 AM
When did they move from their place in Lakewood?? Where are they now?
They live in the Villa Riva (aka Tower of Power :)) high rise in Riverside. Been there for a couple of years now I think.
That makes sense. That building does house some very powerful people. While it's not exactly in the neighborhood, it's nice to have him on our side of town.
They are out and about in the neighborhood quite a bit. The don't stay holed up in their pad.
Quote from: cline on February 01, 2011, 11:48:20 AM
Quote from: Captain Zissou on February 01, 2011, 11:44:51 AM
Quote from: cline on February 01, 2011, 11:39:22 AM
Quote from: Captain Zissou on February 01, 2011, 11:10:16 AM
When did they move from their place in Lakewood?? Where are they now?
They live in the Villa Riva (aka Tower of Power :)) high rise in Riverside. Been there for a couple of years now I think.
That makes sense. That building does house some very powerful people. While it's not exactly in the neighborhood, it's nice to have him on our side of town.
They are out and about in the neighborhood quite a bit. The don't stay holed up in their pad.
Yeah, I've seen them during my morning walk over a half-dozen times in the past few months. Seen them frequenting Cool Moose quite often.
I use to see them all over the neighborhood. First Fridays in 5 points, breakfast at the Derby House and once I ran into Wayne on the morning of the 2009 draft... he was out jogging and we were stopped at the same cross walk near the Cummer... I asked him who we were going to draft :D
I've lived in Riverside for a while now and frequent Cool Moose, European St. ect.. and have never ran into the Weavers. Not to hijack this thread but the next time one of you bump into him can you please mention the current Coaching and QB situation. Thank you.
Quote from: A-Finnius on February 01, 2011, 04:59:23 PM
I've lived in Riverside for a while now and frequent Cool Moose, European St. ect.. and have never ran into the Weavers. Not to hijack this thread but the next time one of you bump into him can you please mention the current Coaching and QB situation. Thank you.
Actually, I know someone who asked Mrs Weaver about her husband's decision to keep Jack. She declined to comment.
Anyway, I've heard the numbers 250-450k tossed around for these places. I don't doubt they'll be nice and you'd certainly expect to pay a premium on new (ish) construction (and they are planning retail there right?). Anyone think they might have some trouble filling these units up?
Geesh, can't the Weaver's have some privacy. ;) What big time celebrities will want to live here when they can walk the streets of New York and most people wouldn't bat an eye. With this kind of attention, if I were the Weavers, I would go underground or at least go out with some clever disguises. 8)
I remember when Michael Jackson was here for his Thriller concerts over three or four nights at the Gator Bowl. As I recall, on the evening of one of the rehearsal days, he went incognito to a movie theater (I think the now demised St. Johns off of Roosevelt) for a movie and no one realized he was in their midst.
Quote from: stjr on February 01, 2011, 07:45:59 PM
I remember when Michael Jackson was here for his Thriller concerts over three or four nights at the Gator Bowl. As I recall, on the evening of one of the rehearsal days, he went incognito to a movie theater (I think the now demised St. Johns off of Roosevelt) for a movie and no one realized he was in their midst.[/b]
He was probably just seen as some Avondale au paire taking the neighborhood kids out for a movie ;D
The Weaver's are very nice and classy people.
A couple of years ago we took a relative out of assisted living to the Row restaurant for Christmas eve dinner. The Weavers were there with family also having dinner. The relative we were with is a big football fan but confused by extreme age. She recognized Wayne Weaver, but thought he was a fellow resident at the assisted living facility in the neighborhood. She started chatting with him about events and people at the facility.
After a momentary confused look, Mr. Weaver started nodding and and replying with pleasantries to this elderly lady who had obviously mistaken him for someone else. We rescued him as quickly as we could and he gave our relative a hug and wished her a Merry Christmas. Perfect example of a warm, compassionate and classy person; a gentleman.
There are a lot of people in the Tower of Power who are IN Riverside, but not OF Riverside. The Weavers are very much OF Riverside and very welcome.
They just tore down the windowless building(s) that were right on stockton across from the Marybuilt. Definitely makes the main buildings look much better from the street.
We took our two year old son by and watched the demolition. He loved it! They just used a small excavator.
Quote from: The Compound on March 08, 2011, 08:39:51 AM
They just tore down the windowless building(s) that were right on stockton across from the Marybuilt. Definitely makes the main buildings look much better from the street.
I heard they were going to build something similar to what is across Stockton. Is that still true???
I havent heard.
I was unaware that the Weavers were intimately involved with the school conversion. I think that's great. I always got a good vibe from Wayne Weaver, could never explain it, but I always had some respect for him. My only request/suggestion for them would be, after this project, how about revitalizing one of those six story buildings that are in disrepair near the new courthouse. Such as the Ambassador hotel, or that brown building that looks like there was a fire on the top floor. Does anyone know the building I'm talking about? I believe it's between Hogan and Julia streets.
Tony Sprawlman, I mean, Slaiman could learn a lesson from the Weavers.
urbaknight, check this out:
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-oct-ruins-of-jacksonville-the-ambassador-hotel (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-oct-ruins-of-jacksonville-the-ambassador-hotel)
Wow, there's a lot of work that needs to be done in that place.
current status of property?
Would the Weaver's plans have to go through HPC? If they planned on building another strip of commerical opposite 13 Gypsies and Bakery Moderne that would be big news.
Quote from: urbaknight on March 08, 2011, 02:24:17 PM
or that brown building that looks like there was a fire on the top floor. Does anyone know the building I'm talking about? I believe it's between Hogan and Julia streets.
That's Klutho's First Baptist Convention Office Building.
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/875177881_y4ZLs-M.jpg)
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/875178091_Ldvcq-M.jpg)
I was in Jacksonville last week, and I'm afraid I saw a condemned sign on this building.
The picture just above is the exact building I was talking about. It's an FBC building? Wow, that speaks volumes about FBC and their commitment to DT and their feelings regarding revitalization.
The building is not owned by FBC.
That building would be perfect for apartments, if someone could just fix it up.