Recreating Jacksonville: The Urban Facelift Project
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/528973635_ydAzy-M.jpg)
The Urban Facelift project, by the Content Design Group, showcases the potential of under-appreciated and often neglected buildings in Jacksonville. Several sketches are now available for the public to see.
Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/1081
Hey, not bad! Great article. Let's do it! :D 8)
I love this initiative! Maybe some of the vision-less property owners will get to work...
Loved the first one you posted and love all the new ones. Might I recommend doing the property at 4th and Market. It's in amazing condition but could use an upscale upgrade.
The Lerner shop at 118 Main St. had a sign on it when I drove by the other day. It looked like a city sign, has anyone seen this? I hope it is not a go ahead to demolish this building.
I really like what the Content Design Group is doing with these. I would love to see 118 revitalized, I just really like that building but after inquiring about it I found this out.
The property at 118 N. Main St. has been condemned by the City’s Code Compliance Division. A sign posted says the building is “unsafe and unfit for human habitation.â€
These are terrific! What a great concept. Looking forward to more designs . . .
It says that the ceilings are collapsing and there are back cracks in exterior walls.
The city's CARE case number for this is 2009-77591.
So I am assuming that this building will be demolished as well.
I met with the Realtor at the LEARNER SHOP, interested in buying the building, but I wasn't allowed to explore it completely! Couldn't go beyond 20 feet of the front door - DANGEROUS I was told! The Realtor has the listing as a LOT, they don't count the building. "It's a Given that this place must be torn down," he was pointing out the brick and explaining that none of the courtyard wall was stable.
I was thinking streetcar Museum-Shop, maybe fill the void with the old subway car and get friend Stephendare to open a killer restaurant there??
The building is unbelievable, beautiful, 1929 expo of The Arts Deco. Nothing else even close to this building this side of South Beach in Miami. A little TLC and this place could be ANYTHING good.
OCKLAWAHA
The Chris Hionides Bathroon Tile!
Apparently Ebay has the market cornered on this one!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Chris-Hionides-Slum-Lord-of-Jacksonville-1000-6-Tile_W0QQitemZ120417843016QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item1c09767748&_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116
My partner and I have always loved the building at 118 Main. Every time we walk by we talk about how it would be a really cool townhouse and fun to live in. We even talked about a rooftop patio. Then at art walk on Wednesday we saw it was taped off with a big orange "Condemned" sign and our hopes were crushed. Then today I see an article with a facelift of the building and townhouse infill next to it, and I had to chuckle.
So what now?
Well I don't know much about construction, but isn't it feasible to somehow preserve the facade and then rebuild the rest of the building? Rebuilding could actually make it taller and fill in the empty space to the left of it. Has this been done anywhere else in Jacksonville. Or is there a way to build an exact replica of the building?
As far as the rest of the article, just about every vacant building along Main Street could use a facelift. And there are endless opportunities for infill. I really think we should focus on the blocks between 1st and 8th because with clustering, this has the potential to become a neat little district of retail, residential and restaurants. Perhaps we should get the folks at Content Design Group to join a meeting of some of the property/business owners and residents of Springfield for a positive brainstorming session. Perhaps bring in some local contractors, who are bored right now, and get an idea of what some of these ideas might cost. This would not be a whine session, but a positive "What if?"
I drove by tonight and saw that it now has a big sign that say demolish on it. Lokks like COJ is going to win again.
I will cry if they demo that building! What is wrong with our city/owners of these building? Don't buy a building if you're going to let it deteriorate beyond a reusable state. The city needs to take a stand against the people buying our historically buildings! WTF! Where is our money going?
Project #5 is finished, 937 Main. The building actually faces Orange however:
(http://www.contentdg.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/937_main_orange_street_existing-1024x680.jpg)
http://www.contentdg.com/the-urban-facelift-project-5-937-main/ (http://www.contentdg.com/the-urban-facelift-project-5-937-main/)
Hopefully this won't get the kiss of death that 118 main received.
Another outstanding design... I hope the curse of 118 main does not follow... :)
QuoteHopefully this won't get the kiss of death that 118 main received.
Why not, the building is a DUMP, in its current condition. DUMPS should be torn down. I'd rather see nothing than a building breaking down because no one has the guts or cash to make the difference with it.
Use it or lose it.
Not a good idea Mtrain.
Here is a good list of the buildings we've lost because of that mentality:
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-jan-lost-jacksonville
We have this instead...
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/520611056_ZizaQ-M.jpg)
Can you believe that 118 Main was the very last building that faced Main Street downtown?
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-4720-main-monroe.jpg)
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-6603-downtown-1.jpg)
Jacksonville style, one "insignificant building" being torn down at a time. No harm, no foul. Nevertheless, after doing that strategy for a few decades, we've turned a historical main street into surface parking lot alley.
Here is a new one from Content Design Group. This is the brick retail building across the street from 3rd & Main. From the post, the building's owner plans to actually go forward with the suggested changes.
(http://www.contentdg.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/1300_version_2-1024x680.jpg)
more info: http://www.contentdg.com/the-urban-facelift-project-6-1300-main-street/
That's fantastic that the owner is going to implement your suggestions. Hopefully they won't do it half-assed. The lights and signs are great, but the color scheme seems a little dull, granted it's better than the current scheme.
^ Thanks for the comment. We did go a little muted with the color choice, for a couple of reasons. One, to counteract the yellow, red, and blue color scheme that is on the building now....we thought it would be a refreshing change to drive by a more calming building.
The other is that there is a ton of things going on in the facade such as conduit, junction boxes, piping. We felt to clean that up visually, because for now most of that is going to have to remain, we needed to keep things a little low key with the color scheme so everything kind of blends in on the facade.
Plus, we didn't want there be too much of a contrast to the 3rd and Main paint scheme, because these two will act as the gate way into Main Street corridor in Springfield, for the time being..
Of course we also do these things very quickly, but because it was commissioned we gave a few choices, this one being the one that the Owner will bring to reality,
OK. Your reasons for choosing the color scheme makes good sense. Which is all we really ask for out of this city. :)
Quote from: Deuce on June 03, 2009, 04:49:07 PM
OK. Your reasons for choosing the color scheme makes good sense. Which is all we really ask for out of this city. :)
I'm glad you asked and commented on it. We usually have a reason that we do things a certain way, but it doesn't mean it's the only way...
A few more renderings from Content Design's Urban Facelift Project
605 Beaver Street by David Welch
(http://www.contentdg.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/ufp_lavilla-building/rendering.jpg)
Others include 11 East Ocean Street, 803 Price Street (David Welch), 1901 Hill Street "Ford Plant" (Jeremiah Russell), 1648 Main (new construction infill), and 937 Main (Jeremiah Russell).
link to additional renderings and project descriptions: http://www.contentdg.com/
Just checked out the 803 Price street facelift. I would totally eat at Pueblo's. That restaurant should be opened immediately.
Quote from: jason_contentdg on May 18, 2009, 04:13:53 PM
Project #5 is finished, 937 Main. The building actually faces Orange however:
(http://www.contentdg.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/937_main_orange_street_existing-1024x680.jpg)
http://www.contentdg.com/the-urban-facelift-project-5-937-main/ (http://www.contentdg.com/the-urban-facelift-project-5-937-main/)
Hopefully this won't get the kiss of death that 118 main received.
Are those upside down crosses on the front? Or am I imagining things?
Anyone know what the previous use of this building was?
Heights Unknown
^That building is a part of the old Claude Nolan Cadillac complex. It is a Prairie School style structure that was designed by Henry J. Klutho.
Quote from: Deuce on June 25, 2009, 09:29:05 AM
Just checked out the 803 Price street facelift. I would totally eat at Pueblo's. That restaurant should be opened immediately.
Absolutely, David did an nice job on that facelift. Great use of the graphics on the facade...
That would be a nice use to anchor the park planned around the retention pond next door.
I love the design of infill project #7. The only think I don't like is the gray. It seems kind of boring. Perhaps adding more more color palates to the design or adding in boxes of flowers or places for planters would add some creativity. I know that doesn't necessarily come as part of the design, but something to keep in mind.
Now who's job is it to pitch these plans to developers with money. Aren't building materials and construction labor still relatively cheap? Let's work on some of these smaller infill projects.
Another UFP and announcement of the Urban Facelift Project fan page on Facebook.
We've got a few more Urban Facelifts finished over on the site: http://www.contentdg.com/category/the-urban-facelift-project/ (http://www.contentdg.com/category/the-urban-facelift-project/), below is an example of a recent one, 2034 N Main Street:
(http://www.contentdg.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/UFP_10_2034_Main_Street-1024x680.jpg)
(http://www.contentdg.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/UFP_10_2034_Main_Street_Final-1024x680.jpg)
As I mentioned above we've also created the Urban Facelift Project fan page over on facebook. Hopefully some of you enjoy the project and would like to have some info that we'll only release on the fan page, such as previews to upcoming buildings, and more submitted projects from others. If you'd like to join, do so at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Urban-Facelift-Project/120739468156 (http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Urban-Facelift-Project/120739468156)
That's one of the best I've seen yet. I'm thinking a mexican restaurant (a little more upscale than La Nap but not as fancy as that new place at SJTC with the hour+ waits) with a cool outdoor sitting area.
Looks more like an improved Layla's or Casbah to me.
It would also make an awesome restaurant pub! I love it!
Got word that the owner took the above Urban Facelift Project to the historic board, got it approved and will work to make the changes...
Seeing that the owners were moving on the fish market in Springfield, we wanted to hurry and do a UFP on that one, since we thought that building had some nice potential.
So here is our fish market version, knowing that the owner's obviously wanted to go with a bold color:
(http://www.contentdg.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/1715_n_main_Facelift-1024x682.jpg)
http://www.contentdg.com/the-urban-facelift-project-12-1715-n-main-street/ (http://www.contentdg.com/the-urban-facelift-project-12-1715-n-main-street/)
^ AMAZING. If that isn't the exact design, I'm hoping for something very similar. Love the sign.
Nice. Now the question is how do we get them to do this? Maybe there is some grant money from SPAR they could use?
^ I think SPAR has recently sent out a mailer explaining that there is money available for facade improvements. If they haven't yet, they will be doing it very soon.
Jason, you should post projects 10 and 11 also, those are awesome.
Hey Brother HEIGHTS UNKNOWN, those are not upside down crosses, in fact they are quite the traditional Christian symbol. The Cross of St. Peter (officially known as the Petrine Cross or colloquially Peter's Cross) is an inverted Latin cross, but in recent times also used widely and incorrectly as an anti-Christ symbol, a common but popular misconception. The acutual accepted symbol of the anti-Christ or anti-Christ movement is an inverted crucifix with Jesus Christ hung inverted upon the crucifix. Sadly we don't teach history anymore, either in school or in churches.
The origin of this symbol comes from the Catholic tradition that St. Peter was crucified upside down, as told by Origen of Alexandria. It is believed that Peter requested this form of crucifixion as he felt he was unworthy to be crucified in the same manner that Christ died (upright). As such, some Christians use this cross as a symbol of humility and unworthiness in comparison to Christ.
OCKLAWAHA
Quote from: jason_contentdg on October 08, 2009, 11:09:12 AM
^ I think SPAR has recently sent out a mailer explaining that there is money available for facade improvements. If they haven't yet, they will be doing it very soon.
The flyer is out. I think it is only available to those businesses who are not labelled "special uses" though. Ray G. got excited when he received his flyer (he owns the rooming house on Main), but that is a no go.
btw...what is the criteria for the facade grants. Does anyone know? Is it posted anywhere?
The buildings look great. The old garage shown first has always had a certain appeal to me. I love the fresh look you've given it. Wouldn't it make a great used book store?
Quote from: Lunican on May 20, 2009, 08:35:52 PM
Not a good idea Mtrain.
Here is a good list of the buildings we've lost because of that mentality:
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-jan-lost-jacksonville
We have this instead...
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/520611056_ZizaQ-M.jpg)
Don't waste your breath with M-train, Lunican. He would have every vacant building in the world torn down.
These are very cool recreations ! Would love to see what you could do with Annie Lytle :)