Metro Jacksonville

Jacksonville by Neighborhood => Downtown => Topic started by: thelakelander on January 07, 2014, 03:35:07 PM

Title: More LaVilla buildings being demolished?
Post by: thelakelander on January 07, 2014, 03:35:07 PM
Either these century old buildings are being renovated or demolished. Given this is Jax and specifically LaVilla, my uneducated guess is that they are coming down soon. They've been roped off and a construction dumpster is now on-site.

825 West Forsyth Street - 1902

(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/2265309187_FWZLpTB-M.jpg)

Across the street from the now demolished railroad terminal, this building dates back to 1902.  In 1915, the Jax Chero-Cola Bottling Company operated out of the structure.  Chero-Cola was founded in 1905 as the Union Bottling Works by Claud A. Hatcher in Columbus, GA.  Hatcher's first beverages were named Royal Crown, a ginger ale and a cola called Chero-Cola.  In 1912, the company's name was changed to Chero-Cola.  Over the years, the company's name has changed and it is now known as Royal Crown Cola International.  During the mid 20th century, Atlantic Printers and Dixie Suppy Company Inc. (dry goods) were located here.


5. 801 West Forsyth Street -

(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/2265312634_r4S9Shg-M.jpg)

In 1920, Philip Bork operated his Bork & Sons business out of this small building.  Bork & Sons were in the bed springs industry.  During the 1950s, it was the location of Southern States Iron Roofing Company.  It is one of several small and interesting buildings remaining in LaVilla where the complete history remains relatively unknown.
Title: Re: More LaVilla buildings being demolished?
Post by: Noone on January 07, 2014, 03:53:31 PM
WOW!
Title: Re: More LaVilla buildings being demolished?
Post by: joshuataylor on January 07, 2014, 04:14:32 PM

801 is owned by Jacksonville Historic Properties Inc. out of Atlantic Beach. They also own the old furniture storage building at 632 W Forsyth (Forsyth and Broad, beside the old Paradome nightclub). Last time I passed by, 801 had all new windows and a brand new For Lease sign on the front. These are most likely renovations, not demolitions.
Title: Re: More LaVilla buildings being demolished?
Post by: joshuataylor on January 07, 2014, 04:18:18 PM
Everything between 801 and 827 (the brick buildings that flank 825) is absent from property appraiser records
Title: Re: More LaVilla buildings being demolished?
Post by: thelakelander on January 07, 2014, 04:38:12 PM
I passed by today and 801 doesn't have a roof. Is it the norm to put new windows in before replacing the roof?
Title: Re: More LaVilla buildings being demolished?
Post by: Ajax on January 07, 2014, 05:21:40 PM
Quote from: joshuataylor on January 07, 2014, 04:14:32 PM

801 is owned by Jacksonville Historic Properties Inc. out of Atlantic Beach. They also own the old furniture storage building at 632 W Forsyth (Forsyth and Broad, beside the old Paradome nightclub). Last time I passed by, 801 had all new windows and a brand new For Lease sign on the front. These are most likely renovations, not demolitions.

Jacksonville Historic Properties is Chris Hionides. 
Title: Re: More LaVilla buildings being demolished?
Post by: strider on January 07, 2014, 06:29:24 PM
Yes, both are under the same RE number and there seems to be at least three valid addresses - 801, 805 & 825.  No permits have recently been pulled for demo or otherwise (last one 1999).  The only entity that can just up and call a demolition an emergency and circumvent the system is Code Compliance - Kimberly Scott - though no property hold came up when I validated the addresses.  Hionides has apparently owned these building for quiet a while as he was the owner in 1999 when a permit was pulled for work on 805.
Title: Re: More LaVilla buildings being demolished?
Post by: Noone on January 07, 2014, 06:36:27 PM
^^MJ is awesome. Asked and answered and just super information.
Title: Re: More LaVilla buildings being demolished?
Post by: JaxUnicorn on January 07, 2014, 08:10:44 PM
So how do we tell whether they are being renovated or demolished??
Title: Re: More LaVilla buildings being demolished?
Post by: acme54321 on January 07, 2014, 08:25:30 PM
There should be permits for either type of work.
Title: Re: More LaVilla buildings being demolished?
Post by: thelakelander on January 07, 2014, 08:42:00 PM
I'll check tomorrow.
Title: Re: More LaVilla buildings being demolished?
Post by: joshuataylor on January 07, 2014, 09:27:21 PM
via property appraisers site, 801 was built in 1902, but also has an effective built year of 1970. any insight into what this means?
Title: Re: More LaVilla buildings being demolished?
Post by: mtraininjax on January 07, 2014, 10:10:12 PM
Its probably a public/private partnership between the mayor and an out of state developer who is yet to be named.
Title: Re: More LaVilla buildings being demolished?
Post by: Charles Hunter on January 07, 2014, 10:23:41 PM
Macy's?!?!  ;)
Title: Re: More LaVilla buildings being demolished?
Post by: Noone on January 08, 2014, 02:25:59 AM
Retention Pond Park II ;)?!
Title: Re: More LaVilla buildings being demolished?
Post by: strider on January 08, 2014, 07:59:09 AM
Quote from: joshuataylor on January 07, 2014, 09:27:21 PM
via property appraisers site, 801 was built in 1902, but also has an effective built year of 1970. any insight into what this means?

All that generally means is that major work was done in 1970.  It may have been connected legally to the other addresses/ building or a major remodel that made significant changes. Often, the date of those changes are also mistakenly picked up as the effective or even the actual year built.

If these buildings are going to be renovated, it could take a month or more for the permitting process alone.  Demolition permits will be a walk through as they are not landmarked but the actual process will take a few weeks as there are a few inspections that take place on regular demolitions. If they are being demolished with the help of Municipal Code Compliance then the permits won't be pulled until after they are gone as Ms Scott prefers to circumvent the law rather than follow it herself.
Title: Re: More LaVilla buildings being demolished?
Post by: aubureck on January 08, 2014, 09:43:26 AM
These properties were recently declared a local landmark by the Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission.  The approval is pending City Council action.
Title: Re: More LaVilla buildings being demolished?
Post by: JaxUnicorn on January 08, 2014, 09:45:16 AM
Lakelander, Strider checked for permits and I checked this morning as well.  Here's what I see:

801 W Forsyth 1988 Electrical Upgrade
805 W Forsyth 1999 Building Reinforce exterior wall
825 W Forsyth NONE

Like Strider said, Kim Scott is notorious for pulling demo permits AFTER the demolition has begun or been completed.  The buildings don't appear appear that demolition is looming based on the photographs in this thread.  Before we get all up in arms about something we need to be certain what is going on.  Maybe...just MAYBE...someone is going to renovate!  (slurks back into the shadows after that comment)
Title: Re: More LaVilla buildings being demolished?
Post by: thelakelander on January 08, 2014, 10:07:59 AM
^Those are old photographs from an article I wrote a year or two ago.  They look completely different right now. There's tape around them, 801 clearly has no roof and there's a construction dumpster on W. Forsyth Street. Something is being done, I was just trying to figure out if it's a demo or renovation.
Title: Re: More LaVilla buildings being demolished?
Post by: thelakelander on January 08, 2014, 11:40:44 AM
I've been told that the roof is being repaired and the buildings are being cleared of trash.
Title: Re: More LaVilla buildings being demolished?
Post by: JaxUnicorn on January 08, 2014, 12:25:19 PM
Driving home today I decided to stop by these buildings to see what I could see.  The white building was open and when I poked my head inside, a man by the name of Brian asked me what I wanted.  I explained I was trying to figure out what was being done and he told me he works for Tipco (?) and they've been contracted by the City of Jacksonville to renovate the buildings in an attempt to get someone to move in.  I mentioned I saw no permits and he assured me they had been pulled (I still don't see any). 

He asked if I wanted to see the inside of 801 and of course I said YES!  Here are some photographs I took today.

(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii36/JaxUnicorn/Mobile%20Uploads/20140108_111313.jpg)

(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii36/JaxUnicorn/Mobile%20Uploads/20140108_111200.jpg)

(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii36/JaxUnicorn/Mobile%20Uploads/20140108_111151.jpg)

(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii36/JaxUnicorn/Mobile%20Uploads/20140108_111105.jpg)

(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii36/JaxUnicorn/Mobile%20Uploads/20140108_111051.jpg)

(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii36/JaxUnicorn/Mobile%20Uploads/20140108_111042.jpg)

(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii36/JaxUnicorn/Mobile%20Uploads/20140108_111035.jpg)

And these are of the attached building also being renovated.  He would not allow me inside this one so I took some photos from outside the building.

(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii36/JaxUnicorn/Mobile%20Uploads/20140108_110801.jpg)

(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii36/JaxUnicorn/Mobile%20Uploads/20140108_111355.jpg)

(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii36/JaxUnicorn/Mobile%20Uploads/20140108_110839.jpg)

(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii36/JaxUnicorn/Mobile%20Uploads/20140108_111445.jpg)

(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii36/JaxUnicorn/Mobile%20Uploads/20140108_111451.jpg)

(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii36/JaxUnicorn/Mobile%20Uploads/20140108_110845.jpg)

(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii36/JaxUnicorn/Mobile%20Uploads/20140108_111409.jpg)


Title: Re: More LaVilla buildings being demolished?
Post by: Tacachale on January 08, 2014, 12:42:00 PM
Well, this is some pleasant and unexpected news.
Title: Re: More LaVilla buildings being demolished?
Post by: joshuataylor on January 08, 2014, 03:00:04 PM
I could have sworn I saw new windows driving past last week. I guess the extra light from the missing roof made them appear different from the car. Oh well, good news for our historic building fabric either way.
Title: Re: More LaVilla buildings being demolished?
Post by: mbwright on January 08, 2014, 03:23:29 PM
I'm sure surprised Chris is doing something with one of his properties.  maybe a new years resolution?
Title: Re: More LaVilla buildings being demolished?
Post by: icarus on January 08, 2014, 04:02:43 PM
With the condemned notice, code enforcement is involved. Perhaps they are using the federal money to stabilize the building ???
Title: Re: More LaVilla buildings being demolished?
Post by: JaxUnicorn on January 08, 2014, 05:11:36 PM
Quote from: icarus on January 08, 2014, 04:02:43 PM
With the condemned notice, code enforcement is involved. Perhaps they are using the federal money to stabilize the building ???
Seems like that could be a possibility icarus.  Especially since the guy said the City had contracted them to do the renovations.  And if that's the case, a Section 106 review is required...and we all know how those go....
Title: Re: More LaVilla buildings being demolished?
Post by: icarus on January 08, 2014, 05:52:43 PM
Well, if Historic Preservation has already preliminarily marked them as landmark .. its quite possible .. I know if I was code enforcement I'd be looking for any good press I could get
Title: Re: More LaVilla buildings being demolished?
Post by: ChriswUfGator on January 09, 2014, 01:34:26 AM
What great old buildings with rich history, I'm glad they're evidently being preserved. That and the last thing anybody needs around here is another demolition.
Title: Re: More LaVilla buildings being demolished?
Post by: Noone on January 09, 2014, 07:20:28 AM
Quote from: JaxUnicorn on January 08, 2014, 12:25:19 PM
Driving home today I decided to stop by these buildings to see what I could see.  The white building was open and when I poked my head inside, a man by the name of Brian asked me what I wanted.  I explained I was trying to figure out what was being done and he told me he works for Tipco (?) and they've been contracted by the City of Jacksonville to renovate the buildings in an attempt to get someone to move in.  I mentioned I saw no permits and he assured me they had been pulled (I still don't see any). 

He asked if I wanted to see the inside of 801 and of course I said YES!  Here are some photographs I took today.

(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii36/JaxUnicorn/Mobile%20Uploads/20140108_111313.jpg)

(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii36/JaxUnicorn/Mobile%20Uploads/20140108_111200.jpg)

(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii36/JaxUnicorn/Mobile%20Uploads/20140108_111151.jpg)

(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii36/JaxUnicorn/Mobile%20Uploads/20140108_111105.jpg)

(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii36/JaxUnicorn/Mobile%20Uploads/20140108_111051.jpg)

(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii36/JaxUnicorn/Mobile%20Uploads/20140108_111042.jpg)

(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii36/JaxUnicorn/Mobile%20Uploads/20140108_111035.jpg)

And these are of the attached building also being renovated.  He would not allow me inside this one so I took some photos from outside the building.

(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii36/JaxUnicorn/Mobile%20Uploads/20140108_110801.jpg)

(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii36/JaxUnicorn/Mobile%20Uploads/20140108_111355.jpg)

(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii36/JaxUnicorn/Mobile%20Uploads/20140108_110839.jpg)

(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii36/JaxUnicorn/Mobile%20Uploads/20140108_111445.jpg)

(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii36/JaxUnicorn/Mobile%20Uploads/20140108_111451.jpg)

(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii36/JaxUnicorn/Mobile%20Uploads/20140108_110845.jpg)

(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii36/JaxUnicorn/Mobile%20Uploads/20140108_111409.jpg)





WOW! WOW! WOW! Contracted by the city of Jacksonville! Everyone just think now of the statement made at the last DIA Board meeting by Board member Mike Saylor and this new DIA will dictate what will now happen with the new 3miles of Riverfront that will go through the middle of our Urban Core.
Title: Re: More LaVilla buildings being demolished?
Post by: mbwright on January 09, 2014, 07:34:09 AM
No need to quote all of the pictures to make a point.   
Mike Saylor is a good guy, and brings a bit of sense to this.  I hope it all works out well.
Title: Re: More LaVilla buildings being demolished?
Post by: Noone on January 09, 2014, 07:45:14 AM
Show the pictures. At the last DIA Board meeting 12/18/13 Mike Saylor is getting Super props in my book and I'll be bragging about him everywhere.

What is being illustrated here is also happening on the Waterways. Pick and choose the winners and losers.