Phil Amato of First Coast News will be presenting a series in November about historical buildings, etc. He selected Annie Lytle for one of his topics. He met with Dog Walker, myself and 2 of our younger volunteers, Brett and Autumn at the school Thursday, September 12th.
We are hoping this will bring a positive response from our community. We are in dire need of people interested in the historical and architectural aspects of the building. It is a constant battle to prevent vandalism.
Annie Lytle Preservation is making slow progress of cleaning the building. We are very proud of our efforts and our volunteers.
We always are in need of more volunteers and donations of supplies, such as paint, brushes and plywood.
Halloween is coming. We are upping our vigilance and cooperation with our friends at JSO.
Needs to be torn down.
Talk about not being able to see the forest for the trees.I agree with megatron,its over,let it rest in pieces.
We will continue despite the negativity of others.
Good work guys!!! Keep it up.
I was told today that whatever South Florida company who owns the Annie Lytle is willing to give it away to anyone who wants it.
^So then whoever is the recipient of the free PS4 Annie Lytle from the company will then have to deal with the Foundation that has landlocked this property?
Who is this super Foundation?
i don't know the foundation but I'm pretty sure if it is given to you, you'll be on the hook financially for it.
Tarpon owns several historic properties around town. I can't believe someone actually got a response from them. We've tried for years.
It is a good first step.
Evidently, they've been going around contacting non-profits to see if they would be willing to take the building off their hands. It's a money pit for them and it has the rest of their properties tied up.
I know there's been a lot of ideas about a possible use for the building, but what realistically could it be used for? Would residential, like the John Gorrie be a feasible possibility, or is it in a bad location for something like that? Just wondering.
Quote from: HangingMoth on September 20, 2013, 09:58:29 AM
I know there's been a lot of ideas about a possible use for the building, but what realistically could it be used for? Would residential, like the John Gorrie be a feasible possibility, or is it in a bad location for something like that? Just wondering.
Realistically? Who knows. Not residential because of the interstate noise. The property has a parking problem.
Has anyone asked Shad Khan if he is interested in taking on the property as a gift from the current owners? May sound like a crazy suggestion at first, but considering the fact that the building is ideally located for "advertising" right next to the highway, I wonder if it would be of some use to him?
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on September 20, 2013, 01:08:21 PM
Has anyone asked Shad Khan if he is interested in taking on the property as a gift from the current owners? May sound like a crazy suggestion at first, but considering the fact that the building is ideally located for "advertising" right next to the highway, I wonder if it would be of some use to him?
I'd rather have Khan focus his investment money downtown not a dilapidated building that no one has figured out how to use.
To be honest, if Khan needs advertising, he'd be better off getting billboard space or hitting social media. The building sits because it will take a significant sum of money to bring it back and a use that would cover that cost and generate long term ROI hasn't been found yet. Until that's done, anyone taking it is doing so with the intention of taking a significant financial risk.
If Tarpon is talking, I want that direct line. They have helped in the loss of Springfield's historic homes. They have a few homes they can give to PSOS. Empty lots as well. I love the school and applaud the efforts of the group providing love and care.
Thanks to all of the supporters we have here. Naysayers, meh, I prefer to see the positive in life. PSOS has worked wonders in Springfield. Our efforts are different in some ways, but the intention remains the same.
Please dont think I dont find your passion admirable,Jacksonville could certainly use more folks like your group.I just dont understand WHY.Why that poor building? Its not like it was even used that long.The amount of money to rehab it would be staggering to contemplate.I just think you alls passion would be so much more needed elsewhere,where the fight might have a positive outcome,thats all.Its a sad reality that in this day and age,its far cheaper to demolish and rebuild than to rehab.
Keep on Pasty/Autumn. Annie Lytle needs to be saved and rehabbed and will be a wonderful addition to the neighborhood. Ignore the naysayers. It is a good and worthy cause. And it will happen.
Despite all the negativity a lot of people have, we will continue. Progress of a sort is being made.
We hope to have more positive results to report on soon.
Until then, I Love Ionia, Dog Walker, She Clown and all the rest of our supporters keep believing in us.
I fell in love with the school as soon as I saw it off the interstate. Keep pressing on. I understand. Been there, done that, still there.
I'm a little late to this thread but has anyone looked into setting up a not-for-profit to rehab the school (community center, arts center)? Also, what is the status of the current ownership?
I dealt with this property almost ten years ago where the Foundation that owned it turned down a multi-million dollar offer for it. Based on experience, I doubt the Foundation could see its way through to do anything.
It's a beautiful building, Keep it up PATSY/AUTUMN. I saw that it made the list of haunted places in VOID magazine. Maybe there is a fund raising/ promotion for restoration in something like that, just a thought.
Quote from: icarus on October 12, 2013, 01:18:18 PM
I'm a little late to this thread but has anyone looked into setting up a not-for-profit to rehab the school (community center, arts center)? Also, what is the status of the current ownership?
I dealt with this property almost ten years ago where the Foundation that owned it turned down a multi-million dollar offer for it. Based on experience, I doubt the Foundation could see its way through to do anything.
What is the name of the Foundation?
Once RAP is able to get the dogpark operational I think having more people in the area will help PS 4, and ultimately find a solution. I know Doug Milne continues to lobby for a positive outcome.
Mtrainjax, Mr. Milne does continue to support the cause. We have a lot of people who support us in our efforts. But lately the more vocal have been the negative people.
Every weekend we make a little more progress in our work. for the curious you may see this on our FaceBook page "Save Public School Number four / Annie Lytle. We return inside on the 26th of this month with big plans.
When RAM opens the dog park, there will be more people down there who will be asking and questioning why such a great building sits empty. Same will happen with 220 Riverside opens and people see the fire station. Just hang on and change will come. I know Timken used to rip me for saying it needed to torn down, but I think now that the area of Riverside Park is changing, it will infect PS4 as well. I am hopeful.
This past Saturday (Oct. 26th) two of the upstairs rooms were completely cleaned down to the bare floors of clothing, trash etc. It was a mighty effort. Looking forward to cleaning out more rooms starting Saturday morning and until we have them all done....however long that takes. Dog Walker came by and gave us some wise suggestions and Officer Mike with JSO stopped by to see our progress.
This weekend some of our team plan on helping PSOS with one their pet projects. It's such a great thing they are doing in Springfield! Our volunteers are happy to get a chance to work with them and maybe learn something from their experience.
Quote from: mtraininjax on October 15, 2013, 12:35:59 PM
When RAM opens the dog park, there will be more people down there who will be asking and questioning why such a great building sits empty. Same will happen with 220 Riverside opens and people see the fire station. Just hang on and change will come. I know Timken used to rip me for saying it needed to torn down, but I think now that the area of Riverside Park is changing, it will infect PS4 as well. I am hopeful.
Thanks for your change of heart. I believe you are right.
Just two days ago, I spoke with a young college student who didn't know anything about the school's history or place in the community. All she saw was destruction and she was happy to break the law and trespass in the building for thrills. As we talked she began to understand that the building was once strong, important to our neighborhood. With help from volunteers like Tim and Patsy it could be again. She is now an advocate for preservation and restoration of the building. She sees that the location near Riverside and the park could be an exciting gift to make the reuse of the school possible. I wish we had hundreds more converts like her.
While I applaud the beautification of Annie Lytle, I'd really like to understand the goal and the history.
In 2007, in a deed executed by Doug Milne's office manager, Shirley Moore, as the president of the Ida M. Stevens Foundation, the building was transferred to Pennisular Brooklyn, LLC of which only Doug Milne is listed as a manager. What is interesting is that Foundation Holding IV, Inc., presumably an instrumentality of the Ida M. Stevens Foundation, retains ownership of all the remaining property and by all .. I mean all.
The property was then purchased for $86,600 at tax sale by Tarpon IV, LLC. But, the discussion here fails to acknowledge that Tarpon owes $16,660.85 in nuisance liens on the property that have accumulated since 2010 a well as over $41K in unpaid property taxes.
Looking at the legal descriptions, Doug Milne and the Ida M. Stevens Foundation are the only ones capable of doing anything about the property. Literally, you can not enter the school property without crossing Foundation Holding IV's reserved property interest.
Sitting on the sidelines, based on these facts, here is my observations about the situation:
1. the school building was transferred to both reduce the tax and legal liability to the foundation of its ownership. The remaining property was kept in Foundation Holding IV's name so that the Foundation still exerts economic control of the building without having any of the liability or the cost. ( a good legal strategy for the Foundation but a bad one for preservation)
2. At this point, I am sure that Tarpon is willing to let go of it because they obviously bought it without proper due diligence.
3. If Tarpon was to transfer the property, I assure you it would be subject to the taxes and liens levied by the City. ($60k+/-)
4. I am sure Doug Milne is cooperating with the group because you are doing the work the Foundation has refused to do for decades (demolition by neglect). And, based on the reserved property rights, no one can develop, sell or really do anything constructive with the property without Doug Milne's consent.
I'd slow down on preservation efforts and start asking some real pointed questions of Doug Milne and the Ida M. Stevens Foundation. And, I'd be looking for a thank you card because you are giving the private owner a huge gift.
Again, not trying to be negative Nancy but I hate to see a savy investor take advantage of the hard work and good will of others.
I've had the same thoughts.
I'm glad I'm not the only one.
Again, I fully support preservation of Annie Lytle and I mean no disparagement implicit or explicit of Doug Milne or the Ida Stevens Trust.
I do think everyone involved has their own motivation. If those involved really want to preserve Annie Lytle, I would suggest getting some real disclosure from the Trust and Milne as to their intentions both long-term and short-term.
They own the entire city block but for two parcels and the school which could be reacquired in a blink. Couple those facts with the rather large adjacent holdings of another nom du guerre entity for a commercial developer (between Annie Lytle and Park Street) and my suspicions grow even higher of the altruistic nature of the land owners.
Be strong but be careful.
THIS WAS THE PAST WORK DONE ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 26TH THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO CAME OUT AND HELPED, HOPE TO SEE YOU GUYS RETURN! WE WILL BE THERE AGAIN THIS SATURDAY AT AROUND 9 AM.
(http://imageshack.us/a/img600/5526/o59j.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img36/7193/1rty.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img201/9609/gs7w.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img201/2065/0pa8.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img13/605/a0qa.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img809/950/n8zy.jpg)
is there anything around it? food spots, anything?
Also I think it's fair to say that this guy cursed the building forever with this "positive" art
(http://jacksonville.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/slideshows-wide/Mural_annielytle.jpg)
Quote from: wordswithenemies on October 31, 2013, 08:24:01 AM
is there anything around it? food spots, anything?
It's walkable to Five Points, and you got a Jimmy John's a block away right?
The Jimmy Johns is right across from the school. The "merry pranksters" were using it as their private parking lot. Plenty of other places for food also. All over 5 Points. we will be working Sat. 9 a.m. to about 11. Anyone is welcome to come and help us.
Bring a positive attitude, gloves and dust mask.
The interview WTLV's Phil Amato is scheduled to air Tuesday morning at sometime approx. between 5:50a, and 6:20am. Will also air later Tuesday around 5:50 pm. This is a correction of the originally posed time.
Annie Lytle Preservation wishes to than Phil Amato, his cameraman and WTLV for giving us the opportunity to speak on behalf of this historic building. We hope to stir up more positive interest. Our thanks to Dog Walker who played an important part of that day!!!
Quote from: Kay on October 30, 2013, 09:10:10 PM
I've had the same thoughts.
So positive.
Will any TV station cover the 11/13/13 Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting?
Will there be a FIND update on the agenda? We are so LOST.
Palms Fish Camp- A million bucks and you never even open the door.
Will the gill net ban be put on the agenda? Councilman Redman is Chair of Waterways.
2013-384 will waterways offer an amendment to this active piece of legislation for a kayak launch so that everyone will have access to this tributary that leads to the St. Johns River our American Heritage River in this new highly restricted DIA zone.
Anyone want to donate a buck to 2009-442? The artificial Reef Trust fund.
Congratulations to the Foundation and all the volunteer support.
The Annie Lytle Preservation Group continues to move forward with this project. I could not be more proud of each and every volunteer. Since June of this year, Patsy has overseen the group. Her leadership and the team's efforts speak for themselves.
You guys rock!! Thank you so much !! :)
+1^
Just to let everyone know, we are still working! We haven't been posting but that doesn't mean we aren't making progress. I am very proud of our volunteers. Naysayers be darned! We won't give up.
Oops! Forgot to mention that we were contacted by a gentleman who attended 7th grade at #4. Their class produced a small comic book size yearbook. The only year that one was printed. We posted the photos on our website. It was a very exciting discovery. We thank Boyd Emerson for sharing!
Out of curiosity... Has anyone taken the property yet? If not who do I contact... I may be interested.
still up for the taking. we hope someone wants to restore her as best as possible. we were there Saturday and did a OT of work in the yard. we refuse to allow it to become the jungle that it once was. upstairs looks so much better since we cleaned there before Christmas. we haven't given up!
Who do I talk to then? I am interested in seeing what I might be able to do.
James I, LLC
18305 Biscayne Blvd.
Adventura, FL 33160
Current listed owner of 650 Chelsea Street in the Property Appraiser's records.
Quote from: Dog Walker on April 29, 2014, 09:52:20 AM
James I, LLC
18305 Biscayne Blvd.
Adventura, FL 33160
Current listed owner of 650 Chelsea Street in the Property Appraiser's records.
Thank you. I will post updates on my progress as it becomes available
could not find a number for that business nor could i find that LLC at all.
Owned by same people as previously so look for Tarpon Four LLC.
Quote from: Kay on April 29, 2014, 12:39:16 PM
Owned by same people as previously so look for Tarpon Four LLC.
okay will do i did see that one once online. I am hoping the rumors of being hard to contact are not true... It is not beyond me to go find someone I am looking for so hopefully they make this easy.
Auditore..... sent you a PM about Contact info with Tarpon IV .
Okay I talked to the guy I am assuming is the RA for the principals. He is going to call me back, but said he is assuming they want some sum of monies for the properties. We will see what he says when they contact me back. Just an update.
They owe $43k+ in back taxes plus more than $9k for this year. Certificates have been sold. They also owe more than $18k in nuisance liens. Any new owner will be responsible for this debt. If you are serious, let's talk about possible ways to get the property. Can you afford to renovate the structure? It is a listed historic property.
Quote from: Kay on April 29, 2014, 05:25:17 PM
They owe $43k+ in back taxes plus more than $9k for this year. Certificates have been sold. They also owe more than $18k in nuisance liens. Any new owner will be responsible for this debt. If you are serious, let's talk about possible ways to get the property. Can you afford to renovate the structure? It is a listed historic property.
I own various LLC companies under my Holding firm. One of which being a construction group. I have the means to renovate the structure. It is a fairly easy process considering you take the mothball method in order to stop the nuisance liens. I spoke with the city earlier regarding several properties and I think by what I had mentioned it could be "mothballed" within a few months and then the renovations started. I thought it was as simple as a board up, but it actually has smaller details that may often go unseen like security lighting and so forth. As far as funding the project. Finding the cost of the materials is a minor setback as I pull funding for the labor from other investments I own. In the long run I have other motives for the projects that I am undertaking that do not involve getting rich like other people may have. I am open to discussion, but every time I seem to extend an offer nobody seems interested. So if you are then I would welcome the opportunity to discuss it with you.
Quote from: Kay on April 29, 2014, 05:25:17 PM
They owe $43k+ in back taxes plus more than $9k for this year. Certificates have been sold. They also owe more than $18k in nuisance liens. Any new owner will be responsible for this debt. If you are serious, let's talk about possible ways to get the property. Can you afford to renovate the structure? It is a listed historic property.
No one can afford to renovate the structure. That is the problem.
Quote from: Apache on April 29, 2014, 05:41:06 PM
Quote from: MEGATRON on April 29, 2014, 05:33:23 PM
Quote from: Kay on April 29, 2014, 05:25:17 PM
They owe $43k+ in back taxes plus more than $9k for this year. Certificates have been sold. They also owe more than $18k in nuisance liens. Any new owner will be responsible for this debt. If you are serious, let's talk about possible ways to get the property. Can you afford to renovate the structure? It is a listed historic property.
No one can afford to renovate the structure. That is the problem.
Not true Megatron. Someone can afford it, not everyone needs to make money on their investments.
See: John Gorrie School/Condos.
Thank you glad someone sees the picture I do.
OMG. Are you Jax's long lost mojo? Sorry, couldn't help myself. Hey, hopefully you are actual mojo.
Quote from: edjax on April 29, 2014, 05:53:16 PM
OMG. Are you Jax's long lost mojo? Sorry, couldn't help myself. Hey, hopefully you are actual mojo.
I am not the city's long lost mojo haha. I can help push people into wanting to commit though since there seems to be a lack of. See people have a tendency to just look and look and look some more and never really take action. For example an average building in jacksonville receives I believe around 4 LOI's per day. Now a good hand full of those people are just looking to have an idea that gains a little bit of media exposure. For example the super foods guy... Make a outrageous proposal and then come up with a cute explanation for backing out. Now the real way to get it done is just to start doing it. Business is no business for those who try and play it safe. People that play it safe end up being C+ players at best. Now the guy who took his last 5 dollars and started the lemonade stand that eventually made an international brand is an A player simply because he took a chance. Now am I saying everyone should take a chance? no. I am simply one to not let the system get the upper hand... regardless of what people think the city doesn't wanna see empty buildings, nor do the brokers that own them. It's all about how enticing the deal is. Do you want the bitter cupcake... or the sweet one... People love the word free or low cost... I am a person who has little interest in making a million dollars I have a home to retire to in Italy when it is all said and done... Money will light the way, but that bulb will burn out eventually... If you take the steps to cement your name... it will shine forever. It also helps giving away services in the long run if you are able which I am... Because when the need rises for assistance you have already established your track record.
So what brought you back to Jax?
Quote from: edjax on April 29, 2014, 06:16:00 PM
So what brought you back to Jax?
I grew up here during the down fall of the city. I moved to Los Angeles and I loved it there. I came back due to a family illness and a couple deaths. I grew up in an old school Italian household so I was never attracted to the modern type of music like the rest of the kids were into. I have always been fascinated by the 1920's and 30's a good majority of my family's history surrounds that time period. So a friend had asked me to come DT and I was like hell no... Then she had said I think i know something you are really going to love... Took me to the Volstead believe it or not... Followed by a walk around downtown I fell in love with not the city... but the potential it has. So I dispatched my people back up north and to California and set up shop again here.
Quote from: Apache on April 29, 2014, 05:41:06 PM
Quote from: MEGATRON on April 29, 2014, 05:33:23 PM
Quote from: Kay on April 29, 2014, 05:25:17 PM
They owe $43k+ in back taxes plus more than $9k for this year. Certificates have been sold. They also owe more than $18k in nuisance liens. Any new owner will be responsible for this debt. If you are serious, let's talk about possible ways to get the property. Can you afford to renovate the structure? It is a listed historic property.
No one can afford to renovate the structure. That is the problem.
Not true Megatron. Someone can afford it, not everyone needs to make money on their investments.
See: John Gorrie School/Condos.
Excellent example. A School in far better condition at the time of total renovation, than is Annie Lytle presently, but was STILL gutted to the bare walls, new plumbing, electrical, roofing , everything. Just as Annie Lytle needs now. So the School's present state matters not. It would have to be gutted either way.
The tab to renovate to a condo conversion was hefty. Some one please feel free to correct me if I am mistaken, but has that project become profitable , to date?
Our project, the Annie Lytle is a structurally sound building in need of total renovation. The tab for the project, no matter what it is converted to, will be expensive. I think the major problem has ALWAYS been (among other things) , what can the property be converted to, that would pay for the tab? (not that monies cannot be found to do a project)
Our team, now managed by Patsy continues on to maintain , to the best of our ability, this property and to clear nearly 50 years of vandalism and neglect from the building. This must certainly help substantially reduce the tab for future renovation. It certainly is helping the appearance and is reducing the hazards within the structure. Despite decades of attempting to secure it , and the fencing around it, vandals continue to do their deeds. Nothing new at all.
So, despite criticism, and manpower and resources, the Team presses on. and the results will be obvious. :) Hopefully, Owners will continue to cooperate and let us work there and make it better. We believe this is the best chance the property has.
^ indeed. That is why we are cleaning it out. At least that end of it will be taken care of.
Quote from: Timkin on April 29, 2014, 07:48:39 PM
^ indeed. That is why we are cleaning it out. At least that end of it will be taken care of.
I see far too often the general public pulls numbers and uses them for a basis of argument. I am strictly speaking in terms of repairs. Most of the time the profit for the owner and cost of labor far outweighs the actual cost of repairs. A standard estimate to go by is your materials usually amount to about 25-30% of the cost. People like myself who have the available labor force and tools and has no interest in filling my own pockets can complete a job like Annie Lytle. That and I am sure the volunteer force would like to see finished what they started. So I am sure someone like myself could gain great momentum should i be able to secure their support.
On a side note I took an investor on a drive by of the building and saw 3 kids crawling out of the structure... I stopped yelled hey and off they ran...
^ You have my and our team's complete support and cooperation. We would love to continue to work there under hold harmless agreement. And , we would love to see completion to our endeavors.
As to the visitors you encountered driving by, not at all surprised. :)
Annie Lytle Preservation, the volunteers who believe in what we are trying to accomplish is prepared to continue working on this project for as long as we are allowed. Despite the roadblocks we face, such as negativity, vandalism and lack of funding, we are making progress. We are few but we are dedicated!..........and did I mention that we accept donations of tools of any kind. Not money
okay here is a start... What tools would you all like and I will have them to you on saturday.
Immediately, containers to place debris from the building in , and transport to curbside to have disposed of. Manpower is always helpful. Shovels, Brooms lighting to see in the dark areas (boarded up) , Battery operated Drills to remove / replace covering as we access the building. We need a ramp from the side entrance of the building so as to easily maneuver wheelbarrows or whatever in and out of the building .( asking surrounding land-owner for consent to do that. so far, no reply) .
The list goes on. As Patsy mentions, we welcome any kind of donation, but what we are most short-handed on, is muscle to get the stuff out of the building. A team , averaging 7-15 people tops, at meetings has done all that has gotten done , inside and outside, particularly in the last few years.
We thank you profusely for any help you can lend!
okay what i will do is see if i have extra trash bins on wheels laying around and then gather materials to bring there so that a temporary ramp can be made that you can drag inside and lock up when you finish. I doubt you need permission for a temporary structure. I am not sure about lighting stuff, but i will look and I may have drills I can get for you. I will swing by saturday with what I have.
^ Thank you so much. Our team typically begins around 9 am and works until we are exhausted. Usually no more than 6 hours. Come at your convenience.
We deeply appreciate your consideration and assistance. We remain hopeful for a positive outcome for the future of the School. Nearing a century old, it deserves renovation and a good purpose.
Never expected that!! That is my usual appeal that falls on deaf ears. We most sincerely appreciate anything that we receive. Be assured it will be prized like gold. We thank you!
Patsy
I will see you all on saturday.
Quote from: AuditoreEnterprise on April 30, 2014, 12:56:49 AM
I will see you all on saturday.
Again....We Thank you. If it would be okay with you, might pick your mind on how to proceed as well as give you a walk-through to see it for yourself. if you have a wheel barrow or two ( we have only one ) that would be awesome. we will take good care of anything you loan us. We have been locking some equipment up at an adjacent Auto Repair shop chained and locked. so probably would do the same with yours. The School is supposed to be secured but gets compromised within hours. days at best. it is frustrating
Quote from: Timkin on May 01, 2014, 10:41:21 PM
Quote from: AuditoreEnterprise on April 30, 2014, 12:56:49 AM
I will see you all on saturday.
Again....We Thank you. If it would be okay with you, might pick your mind on how to proceed as well as give you a walk-through to see it for yourself. if you have a wheel barrow or two ( we have only one ) that would be awesome. we will take good care of anything you loan us. We have been locking some equipment up at an adjacent Auto Repair shop chained and locked. so probably would do the same with yours. The School is supposed to be secured but gets compromised within hours. days at best. it is frustrating
There is no doubt in my mind that it will be taken care of. I look forward to meeting you all
just an update. Spoke with the code enforcement people and I got them to agree to defer the fines for a set number of years as well as give me time to make the repairs without the worries of incurring fines should the owners come to a deal with me. The current status is a rolling fine was put in place in may of 01. I also have other information,I will only disclose to the group in person due to the nature of the matter so if you are a Annie lytle supporter I encourage you to come out tomorrow.
Another productive day of work at our school. The results of our work were truly amazing. And our special guest was quite informative. Thank you, kind sir!
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.698009436929592&type=1 photos
It was a pleasure meeting you all. I am really looking forward to getting this underway. I love the dedication and progress you all have made. PATSY I sent you another message.
Quote from: AuditoreEnterprise on May 02, 2014, 08:17:26 PM
just an update. Spoke with the code enforcement people and I got them to agree to defer the fines for a set number of years as well as give me time to make the repairs without the worries of incurring fines should the owners come to a deal with me. The current status is a rolling fine was put in place in may of 01. I also have other information,I will only disclose to the group in person due to the nature of the matter so if you are a Annie lytle supporter I encourage you to come out tomorrow.
Congratulations on Annie Lytle.
At the 4/2/14 Noticed meeting on new docking Rules for Downtown it was announced that the new docks on the Southbank will have one vendor with a 10 year no compete clause and at the same time a handout is being distributed that also points out that a violation of this docking Rule could result in the immediate seizure of your watercraft by numerous other governmental agencies.
Can you come to a CRA/DIA meeting and request that just 10' of the new yet to be built docks on the Southbank 2014-190 will allow for a 24/7 drop off or pick up of a commercial watercraft without immediately being subject to a seizure?
Thank you. The next CRA/DIA meeting is in 3 days 5/7/14 at 3 pm 1st floor city hall.
Quote from: Noone on May 04, 2014, 11:16:53 AM
Quote from: AuditoreEnterprise on May 02, 2014, 08:17:26 PM
just an update. Spoke with the code enforcement people and I got them to agree to defer the fines for a set number of years as well as give me time to make the repairs without the worries of incurring fines should the owners come to a deal with me. The current status is a rolling fine was put in place in may of 01. I also have other information,I will only disclose to the group in person due to the nature of the matter so if you are a Annie lytle supporter I encourage you to come out tomorrow.
Congratulations on Annie Lytle.
At the 4/2/14 Noticed meeting on new docking Rules for Downtown it was announced that the new docks on the Southbank will have one vendor with a 10 year no compete clause and at the same time a handout is being distributed that also points out that a violation of this docking Rule could result in the immediate seizure of your watercraft by numerous other governmental agencies.
Can you come to a CRA/DIA meeting and request that just 10' of the new yet to be built docks on the Southbank 2014-190 will allow for a 24/7 drop off or pick up of a commercial watercraft without immediately being subject to a seizure?
Thank you. The next CRA/DIA meeting is in 3 days 5/7/14 at 3 pm 1st floor city hall.
I can do that. Just meet with me before it starts and give me a run down of the procedure for speaking in their meetings and I will gladly do that for you.
^WOW! Who are you?
Where have you been for the last 10 years. It can't be this easy.
I'll be there. Looking forward to it.
Thank you.
Quote from: Noone on May 04, 2014, 01:31:30 PM
^WOW! Who are you?
Where have you been for the last 10 years. It can't be this easy.
I'll be there. Looking forward to it.
Thank you.
I can't make them do anything. I can only offer them the opportunity to do what is in their best interest because it is what the people ultimately want. I have services I can offer that ultimately saves them a lot of money in exchange for favors such as postponing thongs. Laws being the easiest to defer. I will see you at the meeting
Quote from: AuditoreEnterprise on May 04, 2014, 02:09:45 PM
I can't make them do anything. I can only offer them the opportunity to do what is in their best interest because it is what the people ultimately want. I have services I can offer that ultimately saves them a lot of money in exchange for favors such as postponing thongs. Laws being the easiest to defer. I will see you at the meeting
Let me know when you are available to support further legislation on thongs. Its high school prom month and that means there will be sightings throughout the area.
;) ;) ;) ;)
That is a really really great photo. Do you know when it was taken? It even looks like the panes are still in some of the windows.
not certain, either. There is a better one in Wayne Wood's book about Jacksonville architecture. Title escapes me at the moment
Mr Auditore.. Our group deeply appreciates that you took time out of your schedule to meet with us. Refreshing that someone comes along that easily sees what we see in this property. Please advise us of how we can assist. Thank you again so much!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=682558355131217&set=pcb.698605616869974&type=1&theater Has anyone else seen this?
Quote from: stephendare on May 05, 2014, 12:37:32 AM
pretty much everyone who was around riverside before the turn of the millennium has great photos of the school.
Especially if you were one of the arts kids (which I definitely qualified as) during the era.
The graffiti was what made the school so iconic for a generation of us. It was a silent reminder of what would happen if we did nothing.
It was an age of hateful neglect of the old architecture, and generation x felt it keenly.
Ive got a bunch of old photos of the interior before the roofs started collapsing that I suppose I will get around to scanning soon.
But I don't think there is a 'better' photo of the school that shows it how it was for a few decades.
one of the best things I love the most about reflecting on the different generations was they all seemed to have their niche. I liked the whole art explosion that happened and I think it caused a great deal of creativity to be born. Most of the people I have known that were extremely into the arts went on to do some pretty amazing stuff. I will look forward to seeing what you have some day stephen!
Quote from: PATSY/AUTUMN on May 05, 2014, 01:17:32 AM
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=682558355131217&set=pcb.698605616869974&type=1&theater Has anyone else seen this?
Patsy, I just wanted to give a reminder. I will be around my office from 10 until about 5 or 6. I would really like those interested in the group I had mentioned to try and come by tomorrow if they could. I will be meeting with a city official in order to see if it will be necessary to go the route I had stated, I just want to be ready just in case. Just let me know if anyone was planning on coming in.
Just a small update so that you all know I'm still working on this issue for you guys. I meet with the chief real estate attorney to try and sieze the property and different routes I can start to take on Tuesday at 130
Just an update here. There is quite the scam that I am uncovering with the owners of the property. For security reasons I can not disclose the nature of the evidence I have. If anyone is interested in it please feel free to contact me, however as soon as the puzzle is put together I will turn the story over to the Admins so that you all can see.
Quote from: AuditoreEnterprise on May 14, 2014, 12:45:12 AM
Just an update here. There is quite the scam that I am uncovering with the owners of the property. For security reasons I can not disclose the nature of the evidence I have. If anyone is interested in it please feel free to contact me, however as soon as the puzzle is put together I will turn the story over to the Admins so that you all can see.
We knew this...just not the details! Good work! Anxious to learn more.
Quote from: Ethylene on May 14, 2014, 11:50:26 AM
Quote from: AuditoreEnterprise on May 14, 2014, 12:45:12 AM
Just an update here. There is quite the scam that I am uncovering with the owners of the property. For security reasons I can not disclose the nature of the evidence I have. If anyone is interested in it please feel free to contact me, however as soon as the puzzle is put together I will turn the story over to the Admins so that you all can see.
We knew this...just not the details! Good work! Anxious to learn more.
If you or anyone else knows of some property they own out of the state I can make a bit more progress!
What is the best way to visit the school? I'd like to check it out with my own 2 eyes.
Just show up and walk through the hole in the plywood ;D
Quote from: InnerCityPressure on May 20, 2014, 09:18:33 AM
Just show up and walk through the hole in the plywood ;D
I would just like to respectfully request that people do not just show up and go into the building there are several reasons why it is a safety risk. If you want to see it the best way is to volunteer for a day. The preservation group is out there most every Saturday.
Keeping up with the lawn is a challenge these days..... we can mow it and literally ,it needs it again within a week. Somehow a mass mailing box opened , we presume on the I-95 / 10 Flyover or the approach to the bridge and scattered mailing materials ALL over!!! all over the building, in the trees , inside , On College and Chelsea Sts and Peninsular place. what a mess! Patsy and I spent 6 hours there yesterday picking this mess up and getting the lawn mowed. Our regular team that takes care of the lawn was on a much -needed vacation.
In an effort to keep Code -enforcement happy, we will againnnnnnnnnnn board it up ;) ..
The more things change, the more they stay the same :D
The man speaketh the truth! the yard is a killer in the heat. Rain, of course helps with the growth. Adding to the grass, we fight Cat Brier, Virginia Creeper and Air Potato. Still, we feel it's worth it!
So this morning I showed up at the school with my wife with intentions of checking out the preservation work, taking some pics, and lending a hand. We were rudely met at the gate by a pair of women threatening to call JSO if we didn't take 1 step backward to get off the property. They would not discuss any possibility of us helping out. In fact they were so ugly and rude about the matter I see why people access the property on other days when the Preservation group isn't there.
Quote from: Roger904 on January 31, 2015, 02:40:19 PM
So this morning I showed up at the school with my wife with intentions of checking out the preservation work, taking some pics, and lending a hand. We were rudely met at the gate by a pair of women threatening to call JSO if we didn't take 1 step backward to get off the property. They would not discuss any possibility of us helping out. In fact they were so ugly and rude about the matter I see why people access the property on other days when the Preservation group isn't there.
Well, unless you have permission, you would have been trespassing. If I'm the owner, I would not want anyone trespassing on my property either, especially when the building located on that property has significant structural issues.
Quote from: Roger904 on January 31, 2015, 02:40:19 PM
So this morning I showed up at the school with my wife with intentions of checking out the preservation work, taking some pics, and lending a hand. We were rudely met at the gate by a pair of women threatening to call JSO if we didn't take 1 step backward to get off the property. They would not discuss any possibility of us helping out. In fact they were so ugly and rude about the matter I see why people access the property on other days when the Preservation group isn't there.
If you go check out their website you will see they are not legally allowed to let people on the grounds. They are not the actual owners and are only permitted to be there for the specific purpose of preserving the site and building.
^
Frustrating is that there is absolutely clear signage that states NO TRESPASSING posted all over the place , on the buildings on the trees, on the fencing, yet it is ignored.
Our mission is not to play gate-keeper nor is it to intentionally offend anyone. It is to clean up and remove the blight that has plagued this site 40 plus years and we are getting it done.
Maybe the part where I said "lend a hand" was missed. It's been stated here on this forum that people were encouraged to show up on a Saturday morning and volunteer to help. I would certainly sign the waiver and help with cleanup, painting, etc.
Quote from: Apache on February 03, 2015, 01:09:13 PM
What ever happened to AuditoreEnterprises? He appeared to be pedal to the metal and racing to a solution. I'm very curious if there is something around the corner that we could expect, he mentioned seizing the property and other things he couldn't talk about. Is this plan under way? If not what was the roadblock?
He said lots of things on several threads, but seems to not be around much anymore. Perhaps busy lining the deals up, or not.
For now, we had to suspend asking for volunteers. We feel this is temporary and will resume at some point.
Offering to lend a hand is appreciated and at some point in the future, we hope to take folks up on their offers.
When we are in a capacity to resume volunteer recruiting, we will update our media to indicate so.
This will include posting to our thread on this site as well as our webpage and facebook pages.
As with everything else in life , situations and circumstances require change. When they do we have to adapt.
Having literally zero to do with anyone posting here, we encounter those who persist on entering the property , regardless of the signs , even having heard that we are limited, by waiver on exactly who we can allow on. They indicate if we do not have a badge, they aren't listening to us. This has to be remedied by an officer coming to remove them. Not pleasant nor is it something we want to have to address. It has happened repeatedly.
We are on premises with specific provisions, directed by the owners. We are simply following protocol. Not trying to make anyone angry.
This Year, the Annie Lytle Preservation Group was selected to win a Historic Preservation Award. We are humbled and thankful for the recognition. Our group continues to whittle away at the work...the years of decay and debris that is leaving the building, forever . It is possible we may see the tear out and cleanout portion complete by year end. Simultaneously, we are painting the trim areas of the School and doing simple repairs The Columns and planters on the Chelsea Street side entrance have been repainted, fresh soil and plants including Iris and Society Garlic planted there. the solid concrete knee wall surrounding the base of the building, long tagged various colors and painted over in contrasting various colors has a new, fresh cream -color coat of paint as does the stair rails ,etc. In terms of clean out , 2 classrooms , upper level remain to clean out. Lower level , 5 remain , plus the soil in the floor of the Auditorium . We have been doing spot repairs on the roof system and will continue to , on the main building so as to keep water out of the main areas . We have to remove the failing remaining roof directly over the stage. Last fall 2 doors, locks, a ramp was added to finally bring the school under lock down so that our work wouldnt get messed up or our equipment messed with. we can finally say that Annie is no longer abandoned. she is getting a lot of love these days.
Please feel free to follow our progress on our website: www.savepublicschoolnumber4.com . I am very proud of my team and their progress , determination, and the love they have for this amazing 98 year old structure.
The Annie Lytle Preservation Group, Deeply appreciates Metrojacksonville.com for being the amazing online media site that it is, and for allowing us to post for all these years, our progress.. and if you go by Annie Lytle these days , its impossible not to see the progress. Stay with us. we intend to make the School Beautiful again .
Quote from: Noone on May 04, 2014, 11:16:53 AM
Quote from: AuditoreEnterprise on May 02, 2014, 08:17:26 PM
just an update. Spoke with the code enforcement people and I got them to agree to defer the fines for a set number of years as well as give me time to make the repairs without the worries of incurring fines should the owners come to a deal with me. The current status is a rolling fine was put in place in may of 01. I also have other information,I will only disclose to the group in person due to the nature of the matter so if you are a Annie lytle supporter I encourage you to come out tomorrow.
Congratulations on Annie Lytle.
At the 4/2/14 Noticed meeting on new docking Rules for Downtown it was announced that the new docks on the Southbank will have one vendor with a 10 year no compete clause and at the same time a handout is being distributed that also points out that a violation of this docking Rule could result in the immediate seizure of your watercraft by numerous other governmental agencies.
Can you come to a CRA/DIA meeting and request that just 10' of the new yet to be built docks on the Southbank 2014-190 will allow for a 24/7 drop off or pick up of a commercial watercraft without immediately being subject to a seizure?
Thank you. The next CRA/DIA meeting is in 3 days 5/7/14 at 3 pm 1st floor city hall.
One year later. Now we have active legislation 2015-230 Palms Fish Camp and ACTIVE legislation. It is on the agenda for the 4/15/15 Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting then a Public Hearing on 4/28/15. This is next to a FIND project. we are so LOST. These Backroom deals are better than FDIC insured. (Friends of Downtown Investment Committee)
Visit Jacksonville!
PS4 will soon be out the door.
Stay positive.
Plan on doing a RICO loop Downtown. Special shout out to anyone outside of Duval county.
I know that I am jumping into this thread late and I don't really have the time to read through all of the previous posts, but what is the overall plan for the school once it is preserved? Is the thought that it will be a museum or something of the sorts? A community center? What's the plan for it? It looks really cool and I look at it every time I zip past it on 95. The former auditorium would be a bad ass courtyard once cleaned up. Just wondering what the overall vision was for it. Whatever it is, I wish it well.
Looking forward to the replies.
Quote from: Timkin on April 13, 2015, 11:42:42 PM
This Year, the Annie Lytle Preservation Group was selected to win a Historic Preservation Award. We are humbled and thankful for the recognition. Our group continues to whittle away at the work...the years of decay and debris that is leaving the building, forever . It is possible we may see the tear out and cleanout portion complete by year end. Simultaneously, we are painting the trim areas of the School and doing simple repairs The Columns and planters on the Chelsea Street side entrance have been repainted, fresh soil and plants including Iris and Society Garlic planted there. the solid concrete knee wall surrounding the base of the building, long tagged various colors and painted over in contrasting various colors has a new, fresh cream -color coat of paint as does the stair rails ,etc. In terms of clean out , 2 classrooms , upper level remain to clean out. Lower level , 5 remain , plus the soil in the floor of the Auditorium . We have been doing spot repairs on the roof system and will continue to , on the main building so as to keep water out of the main areas . We have to remove the failing remaining roof directly over the stage. Last fall 2 doors, locks, a ramp was added to finally bring the school under lock down so that our work wouldnt get messed up or our equipment messed with. we can finally say that Annie is no longer abandoned. she is getting a lot of love these days.
Please feel free to follow our progress on our website: www.savepublicschoolnumber4.com . I am very proud of my team and their progress , determination, and the love they have for this amazing 98 year old structure.
The Annie Lytle Preservation Group, Deeply appreciates Metrojacksonville.com for being the amazing online media site that it is, and for allowing us to post for all these years, our progress.. and if you go by Annie Lytle these days , its impossible not to see the progress. Stay with us. we intend to make the School Beautiful again .
hooray!!!!
I think it should be reused as a school of some sort, perhaps an art school.
It was offered to Savannah College of Art and Design which has extension campuses in Atlanta, Florence, Italy and Hong Kong, but was turned down.
The least expensive alternative for restoring the school is to turn it back into a school since that would take the least conversion.
Interesting article on what to do with empty schools from NPR
http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2015/07/28/426735945/the-struggle-to-breathe-life-back-into-empty-schools (http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2015/07/28/426735945/the-struggle-to-breathe-life-back-into-empty-schools)
Virginia Savage lives in a part of north St. Louis, Mo., that's filled with vacant buildings, including Marshall Elementary. It has been closed for years now, and vines crawl into the building's smashed-out windows. The playground is littered with empty liquor bottles.
Savage went to school at Marshall as a young girl, and now she sees bigger problems beyond all those blemishes: "Drug dealers, drug users, eyesore. That's what I see."
In St. Louis, the student enrollment is one-fourth the size it was in the 1960s. That drop has led the district to close 30 or so schools.
It's the same story across the country in cities like Atlanta, Detroit and Chicago, where district leaders are facing the big question — what to do with all of those empty schools?
Savage volunteers at a neighborhood church that used to be a vacant school, too. So she doesn't just see problems, she also sees potential. "Apartments, room for the homeless, a community center," she says. "There's a lot that can go on with this building."
Empty buildings are difficult to secure, they can attract crime, and they fall apart quickly. So St. Louis Public Schools rounded up a group of volunteer architects, contractors and community health experts to pitch developers and lure investors into doing something with these places.
And because this all boils down to real estate, the first thing to do was throw a bunch of open houses at schools like Eliot Elementary, another stately historic school. It's more than 100 years old and classic St. Louis with an impressive stature, deep red brick and thick, wrought iron.
It probably sounds like a steal at $260,000, but it's also what you might call an ultimate fixer-upper.
The school closed 10 years ago, and inside, insulation is scattered across the floor. The sub-ceiling is down, paint is stripped off the walls, all the copper is out of the building and the alarm system has been ripped out. It looks like the set from a post-apocalyptic film.
"Post-something," says Walker Gaffney, director of real estate for St. Louis Public Schools. "Post-population flight, post-declining enrollment and diminishing resources."
It might seem logical to just tear the place down, but Gaffney says that wouldn't be a good use of money. "The cost of tearing this buildings down is very prohibitive — anywhere from a half million dollars up to a million," Gaffney says. "This was a temple of learning that was built to last hundreds and hundreds of years."
That's learning that many say could continue with one obvious group of potential buyers: charter public schools, which have seen increasing enrollment.
The district used to have a rule against selling empty schools to charters, but that's no longer the case. Yet some in the charter community say St. Louis Public Schools is still rejecting their offers.
The Eliot building is falling apart, but hints of the past still line the surface — like this old mural visible through the peeling paint.
The Eliot building is falling apart, but hints of the past still line the surface — like this old mural visible through the peeling paint.
Tim Lloyd/ St. Louis Public Radio
Gaffney says there's no unwritten rule against charters and it's all about competitive offers. "Now, is the district going to give buildings away?" Gaffney asks. "No. This is the list price; make me an offer."
So far the district's plan to lure investors has been working. A few deals are in the works to renovate old schools into apartments, offices and artist spaces.
But there's still much more work to be done.
Jessica Eiland is another community member tasked with finding investors. She runs Northside Community Housing Inc., a nonprofit that builds homes in the area around Marshall Elementary in north St. Louis.
And while she acknowledges it can be a huge challenge to breathe life back into these buildings, she also says redeveloping a 50,000-square-foot vacant school like Marshall could have a domino effect.
"It could be the catalyst to get other people thinking, 'You know what, I should invest my resources on this side of the community.' "
Because the last thing any school was meant to do is bring problems into a neighborhood.
Annie Lytle Preservation Group continues in its efforts. In 2015, the Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission nominated us for an award. This was the FIRST time a Volunteer group had ever been nominated! Not only nominated, but to win!
Last Saturday, we held an event which brought people from as far as Miami and Tampa to assist in clean-up. Thanks goes to David Bullet (Abandoned Florida) for arranging this. Also, among our volunteers for the day Kim Pryor and Cheryl McCain of Preservation SOS.
We are not giving up and still have hopes. Many photos of the event can be seen on "Photos By Big Cheese of Annie Lytle" on FaceBook
On the above comment, I neglected to also mention our friend and associate, known here as "Dog Walker" who was also present. His efforts behind the scenes are amazing!
Please tear this thing down already.
Quote from: MEGATRON on October 02, 2016, 08:29:27 AM
Please tear this thing down already.
^^^ Troll...... history always needs to be preserved.
Is that dog park still planned to open right near that building? If so, why not repurpose the building into something that compliments the park, (a multi use facility) such as an obedience school, animal hospital, pet supply store, registration and licensing facility and some kind or eatery and bar for the humans.