Annie Lytle demolition back on track?
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-1560-dsc_0046.JPG)
If developers Doug Milne and Carlton Jones have their way with Council's LUZ committee today, Jacksonville could lose yet another significant historic building.
Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-jun-annie-lytle-demolition-back-on-track
Good article and should be a wake up call.
Why does Jacksonville have this failure of imagination regarding old structures?
I would like to propose that what our Historic Commission, a quasi-regulatory commission, needs is a good Marketing division. The Historic Commissoners do have the vision and the understanding needed to preserve vistas like the one of Adams Street in your article. What they don't have is a way to help these structures be marketed to buyers who will honor the past and fit it to a future use.
The city markets other resources. Preserved history should receive the same consideration.
Bass St Lofts in Atlanta and Love Joy lofts in Washington DC we both old school houses similar that were turned into beautiful lofts. This building is perfect for a similar situation.
What, if anything, does the developer plan with the site if it is cleared?
It should be saved, but this is Jacksonville, so I'm not too hopeful.
Unfortunately its a bad location due to its proximity to I-95. As much as I think as it should be kept, I don't know how much interest there would be in restoring the building and turning it in to something with 95 there...
I'm sympathetic, but how long has this structure been vacant? 20- 30 -40 years? Has anyone expressed interest in the existing structure. Its a horrendous location, if someone just plans on demolishing it and leaving yet another vacant lot then I'm opposed to it, but if someone actually plans on utilizing the lot to build something usable, so be it.
I don't think it gets any closer than this:
This is the Richmond, VA train station and I-95. Despite the expressway proximity this building is still a contributing factor to Richmond's urban core. In Florida, I imagine this place would have been taken down when the expressway was constructed.
(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/48/121053318_1cb6042be3_o.jpg)
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1164/1421135782_caa25bd43a_b.jpg)
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=799518&page=3
Great analogy on Main St. Station in Richmond. It's a passenger train station that shut down in the 70s sometime, and after a failed attempt to convert it to an outlet mall, is once again an operating Amtrak station.
Quote from: civil42806 on June 02, 2009, 08:19:23 AM
I'm sympathetic, but how long has this structure been vacant? 20- 30 -40 years? Has anyone expressed interest in the existing structure. Its a horrendous location, if someone just plans on demolishing it and leaving yet another vacant lot then I'm opposed to it, but if someone actually plans on utilizing the lot to build something usable, so be it.
Tampa's Floridian Hotel had been vacant and abandoned since 1987. Now it is being renovated back into a boutique hotel.
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j199/trump74/IMG_0448-1.jpg)
Where there is a will, there's a way. However, this site does have some significant challenges to over come. My hope is that if the building can't be saved, at least the front facade is preserved, incorporated into a new structure and reconnected with Riverside Park.
There is a former elementary school in Washington DC that is of the same era. It also is right next to a major expressway. It might be a full 5-10 feet further from the higheway, but that's about it.
It has been converted into a health club and it is cool as hell. Being right next to a highway is not an issue at all for that use. In fact an advertising banner provides lots of cheap exposure to tens of thousands of commuters every day.
Get it together jacksonville, before it's too late.
This 1920's hotel in DT Greenville was vacant for about 12 years before being converted into a Westin.
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1255
Wow they must have some really good use they want to put to use on the site to consider this. Of course in Jax really good use amounts to the chance to play with a wrecking ball.
why is there even a Historical Preservation Commission? they don't do anything, are they just window dressing?
If Miami Beach had our historic preservation vision there wouldn't be any art deco district or lincoln road mall. I lived there when Miami Beach was old and rundown, lincoln road mall was mostly vagrants. There were plenty of developers who wanted nothing more than to just take a wrecking ball to the whole thing and start over, but the historic preservationists and the PEOPLE held firm and now they really have something to be proud of.
QuoteAs much as I think as it should be kept, I don't know how much interest there would be in restoring the building and turning it in to something with 95 there...
I tend to agree with this statement. The number of uses are limited for this building. The train station in Richmond works because of it's use and the size of the structure. A gym like the example in DC given would work well but there's no real need for another gym nearby. Maybe a Museum?
The Westin hotel in Greenville is awesome. They did a really great job of preserving historical elements. They've got some great restaurants too. I think is was abandoned for a lot longer than 12 years though. I don't remember anything ever being in that building.
(http://www.legendsofamerica.com/photos-oklahoma/SkirvinHotelPostcard.jpg)
This place was a wreck, I remember the City Council hearings to tear it down, the citizens nearly threatened to carry them out on a rail. The old Gal was saved, Hilton got involved and today she is the queen of the prairie states.
The Skirvin Hotel built in 1910 by oilman W.B. Skirvin, who was determined to have the finest hotel in the Southwest. Opening its doors in 1911, the plush hotel had two, 10-story towers containing 224 rooms, was one of the first buildings in Oklahoma City to have air conditioning, then called “iced air,†had running ice water in each room, a ballroom that seated 500, and imported Austrian chandeliers that cost more than $100,000 each.
Skirvin’s daughter, Perl Mesta, brought the hotel a national reputation by being the ambassadress to Luxembourg, and then Washington’s "Hostess with the Mostess," portrayed in the famed Broadway musical, "Call Me Madam."
In 1930, a third wing was added, raising the structure to 14 stories and increasing capacity to 525 rooms.
The Oklahoma showplace became a popular speak-easy during prohibition. It was during this time that W.B. Skirvin was said to have had an affair with one of the hotel maids. According to legend, the maid soon conceived and in order to prevent a scandal, she was locked in a room on the top floor of the hotel. The desolate girl soon grew depressed and even after the birth of her child; she was still not let out of the room. Half out of her mind, she finally grabbed the infant child and threw herself, along with the baby, out of the window.
The maid’s name remains unknown, but her ghost continues to haunt the Skirvin Hotel and she was nicknamed “Effie†by former employees.
Though the old hotel closed in 1988, former guests would often report not being able to obtain a decent nights sleep due to the consistent sounds of a child crying.
Effie was apparently a woman of loose morals and many men who have stayed in the hotel have often reported being propositioned by a female voice while alone in their rooms. Others have seen the figure of a naked woman with them while taking a shower. One man even claimed he was sexually assaulted by an invisible entity during his stay.
Other strange noises and occurrences were reported by staff and guests including things seemingly being moved around by themselves, such as the maid’s cart being pushed down the hall when no one was there.
In October, 1979 the hotel was listed on National Register of Historic Places. When it closed in 1988 the building stood empty for more almost fifteen years. However, the historic hotel has now been fully restored and now open once again for guests.
The $46.4 million project included the original exterior finish, installation of historically accurate windows, reconfigured guest rooms, new guest elevators, an elegant lobby, restaurants, and state-of-the-art meeting rooms. Wherever possible, historical elements such as moldings, tiles and ceiling treatments were incorporated into the design.
It will be interesting to see if Effie appears to new guest of the hotel.
The Skirvin Hotel is located at 1 Park Avenue in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
(http://www.zaxon-cost.com/_borders/skirvin.jpg)
FIRST came vision
(http://www.scaryforkids.com/pics/skirvin.jpg)
NEXT came salvation
(http://www1.hilton.com/ts/en_US/hotels/content/OKCSKHF/media/images/OKCSKHF_The_Skirvin_Hilton_Oklahoma_City_home_left.jpg)
(http://www.undercovertourist.com/united-states/oklahoma/oklahoma-city/hotels/img/l/the-skirvin-hilton-oklahoma-city_1.jpg)
(http://www.hauntedhouses.com/photos/oklahoma-skirvin-9943.jpg)
(http://www.legendsofamerica.com/photos-oklahoma/SkirvinHotel-Justin.jpg)
VISION PEOPLE! VISION! SKYWAY, TOD, THEATER, STORES, FOOD, FUN, STREETCAR, BUS... VISION Damn Jax! VISION!
OCKLAWAHA
Quote from: Deuce on June 02, 2009, 09:27:10 AM
A gym like the example in DC given would work well but there's no real need for another gym nearby. Maybe a Museum?
The Westin hotel in Greenville is awesome. They did a really great job of preserving historical elements. They've got some great restaurants too. I think is was abandoned for a lot longer than 12 years though. I don't remember anything ever being in that building.
The YMCA has looked at relocating before, and they could get a fortune for there current site since it fronts both the river and Riverside Ave. The current facility is very inefficient and is out of date. The Lytle location is close enough to the existing facility to serve the same clients.
The Lytle school could be expanded in the rear without changing it's appearance negatively, which could achieve any needed additional square footage. It could be uniquely historic and yet modern as well.
The Westin had been vacate from about '82-'86 until about 2000 or so. I went with the low end. It might have been empty as long as 18-20 years.
why dont you guys post those interior pictures again theres some great bones in there
http://duvaldestroyer.blogspot.com/2009/03/public-school-number-four-modest.html
Another option is if the building is just too inefficient, then I'm sure the exterior walls could be saved. This is something that has been done before in other cities where the economics of a true renovation just don't make sense.
The structure of the building is strong. It is built of concrete, even the roof. The exception was the auditorium roof which was wood and burned due to vandalism. The walls are almost two feet thick. Once inside the building, with good window and door replacements you would never hear the traffic.
Secondly, the property is open under the expressway to Riverside Park. There is no retention pond there. You can simply walk down that massive flight of stairs and straight thru to the park. What a great feature!
The rest of the property goes back on one side, along College Street, the whole length of the block.
Inside, the structure is an "E" shape with all the rooms facing a hallway which opens to the outside. Light pours into the interior structure from this configuration. It was well made and well designed.
quote author=Ocklawaha
VISION PEOPLE! VISION! SKYWAY, TOD, THEATER, STORES, FOOD, FUN, STREETCAR, BUS... VISION Damn Jax! VISION!
I want to point out to anyone thinking the Jacksonville Historic Commission are the bad guys here, they voted to preserve the building. But they can be overruled by the council.
LaVilla was long gone by the time this project showed up (destroyed a decade earlier). The Jones LaVilla townhouse project should have been built. $180k for 3bd/2ba new townhome units in 2004 were pretty reasonable, imo.
According to below website, the below people are on the LUZ comtittee wich will be making the decision. Please e-mail them your thoughts.
ArtG@coj.net; Joost@coj.net; RBrown@coj.net; Gaffney@coj.net; Holt@coj.net; Redman@coj.net; Webb@coj.net
http://www.coj.net/City+Council/LUZ.htm
Just think if Hotel George Washington, Mayflower Hotel, the old building where BOA now stands had been saved; at least the building where BOA now sits was demolished in favor of an almost SUPERTALL. But numerous buildings in Jax could have been saved, remodeled or reconstructed, and would have served the urban core much better than the empty lots and parking lots that are now there.
Quote from: stephendare on June 02, 2009, 12:42:59 PM
I was out of town from 92 to 00. Any idea when the neighborhood was levelled?
The mid 1990's, around 1996.
Downtown Frankenstein: LaVilla Stylehttp://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2006-nov-downtown-frankenstein-lavilla-style
Anyone who thinks that the location is bad, and no one would be interested in it b/c it is right next to I-95, must be from Jacksonville...
LUZ sent it back to the JHPC to consider all available evidence and options. From what I gleaned at the meeting, the developer wasn't the one pushing the LUZ review--it was, as some have suggested, the result of the new council president's effort to get unresolved issues off the docket. So . . . back into a holding pattern.
Always have loved this building...but honestly with the highway so close to the building i don't know how well it would do as a residential building. Ive always thought it would make a great amphitheater, if they could bring the facade to the park side and open the building...but we don't do things like that in jax. :-\
I repeat that it might may a great tourist and convention bureau center and could house related groups such as the hotel association, Sports Authority, etc. that are connected to bringing tourists to Jax. Also, RAM and RAP.
This building is well accessed and located by I-95, I-10, and the future multi modal station a few blocks away at Park and Bay Streets.
Being located next to the interstate is an asset due to its very high visibility. Companies would pay a pretty penny for exposure like this. It needs to be EXPLOITED, NOT EXPLODED!
Once again it comes down to the almighty dollar. The interior of this building has been exposed to the elements for over thirty plus years. I remember seeing the inside of it at least twenty plus years ago. The roof was completely shot then. Water has been pouring into this building for decades, rotting the structure. Not to mention how much fecal waste is throughout the interior, both animal and human. The amount of money it would take to bring this building back to life is probably about 2+ times more than building new. No developer I have met in Jacksonville is willing to undertake that kind of expense. I'm not saying don't save it. I'm just saying don't leave it up to the developers. The city needs to undertake the saving of this building. Put it on the national register of historic places. Utilize the federal grant money out there that is allocated to registered historic structures. Raise it from the dead and turn it into a City of Jacksonville office building or some other type of public building, possibly a cultural arts center (we all know Jacksonville needs a little culture).
The Savannah College of Art and Design has saved many building just like this one, even ones in worst shape, and turned them into beautiful, vibrate places of human interaction. I think the City of Jacksonville owes PS#4 a little respect and revitalization.
It is on the National Register.
If the buildings condition is that bad, the PRICE should reflect that. The same owners have owned if for most of the period you are talking about. If they had preserved the roof, they would not be in the situation they are in now. They shouldn't just be allowed to demo by neglect the building.
Also, are you are referring to the roof of the entire structure or the auditorium? The Auditorium roof was wood, and the remainder concrete, according to someone 's post.
Oops, my mistake. It is listed as a local historic designation not national. This gives the JHPC jurisdiction over it.
Which means in the end that City Hall has the final and ultimate jurisdiction over it. Unfortunately, I’m sure the city will come by in the dark of night and remove the building before any real protests can happen. It seems to be their MO. And somehow they alway get away with it. It's amazing what a little greased palm can get done.
so... what happened in the meeting?
Quote from: grimss on June 02, 2009, 05:59:44 PM
LUZ sent it back to the JHPC to consider all available evidence and options. From what I gleaned at the meeting, the developer wasn't the one pushing the LUZ review--it was, as some have suggested, the result of the new council president's effort to get unresolved issues off the docket. So . . . back into a holding pattern.
Took about 8 minutes. Chairman LUZ spoke, city attorney spoke, exec director RAP spoke (send to JHPC with all evidence/options) , RAP board member spoke agreement. No opposition from anyone to sending back to Historic Commission for consideration.
At least it's safe for a little longer.
I agree with the person who remarked about needing a marketing division regarding the preservation of our historic landmarks. I am Jax native born & raised in San Marco. My Grandmother is one of the founders of the San Marco Preservation Society. I have seen so many buildings and other landmarks demolished in the name of "advancement" and some them are still vacant lots. It's a shame and I would really like to see more of what made this town remain a part of this town.
Quote from: Rockinvox on June 08, 2009, 09:57:57 PM
I agree with the person who remarked about needing a marketing division regarding the preservation of our historic landmarks. I am Jax native born & raised in San Marco. My Grandmother is one of the founders of the San Marco Preservation Society. I have seen so many buildings and other landmarks demolished in the name of "advancement" and some them are still vacant lots. It's a shame and I would really like to see more of what made this town remain a part of this town.
Thank you. It does make sense.
Use it or Lose it. Bulldoze it if it sits and adds to crime in the area. Brunswich just added 100 homes to its list of demolition because the owners did nothing to enhance the buildings or rent them out. PS 4 is a nice building, but its owners are idiots. Give then 180 days to find a tenant and a CONTRACT that is binding, or bulldoze it.
Quote from: mtraininjax on June 17, 2009, 11:45:31 PM
Use it or Lose it. Bulldoze it if it sits and adds to crime in the area. Brunswich just added 100 homes to its list of demolition because the owners did nothing to enhance the buildings or rent them out. PS 4 is a nice building, but its owners are idiots. Give then 180 days to find a tenant and a CONTRACT that is binding, or bulldoze it.
Why should the taxpayers be stuck with the bill instaed of the owner?
I guess that is why Brunswick isn't Savannah. Brunswick, isn't that the town with the paper mill at the entrance? Figures I guess.
Quote from: mtraininjax on June 17, 2009, 11:45:31 PM
Use it or Lose it. Bulldoze it if it sits and adds to crime in the area. Brunswich just added 100 homes to its list of demolition because the owners did nothing to enhance the buildings or rent them out. PS 4 is a nice building, but its owners are idiots. Give then 180 days to find a tenant and a CONTRACT that is binding, or bulldoze it.
BTW, using that logic (if it can be called that), Mount Vernon would have been demolished decades ago.
From the Daily Record today - Geez - Doesn't anyone else read it??????
Quote07/01/2009
by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
The on-again-off-again redevelopment of the former Annie B. Lytle Elementary School in Brooklyn is back on.
Developer Carlton Jones plans to turn the building into 33 residential housing units for senior citizens 55 years old and up. Jones, president of Renaissance Development Group, wants to add on to the building and create another 100 units.
Over the years, several factors have delayed the project including the economy, the Fuller Warren overpass project, financing, the historic designation of the building and legislation working its way through City Council at a snail’s pace.
Recently, Doug Milne, an attorney and a trustee for Foundation Holding IV which oversees the property, successfully saved the legislation surrounding the project from extinction for at least a year.
“About six months ago City Council passed a new rule that says any legislation that has been essentially dormant for a certain period of time will be withdrawn unless action is taken,†explained Milne. “Two to three years ago, we asked for permission to dismantle the building. The thinking was, if we can’t make something work â€" and no one can â€" we may as well dismantle it.â€
According to Milne, the City Council Land Use & Zoning committee agreed to allow the demolition of the building. However, the building had also been designated a historic land- mark by the Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission, making demolition nearly impossible.
“It got to be so controversial, I said, let’s just slow down,†said Milne.
Recently, Milne and Jones met with the Preservation Commission to talk about the building â€" specifically ways to finance the residential project. Both liked what they heard.
“The type of financing we are seeking is not a problem,†said Jones, whose company doesn’t technically own the building. He has a contract to purchase it from the Ida M. Stevens Foundation, which purchased the building almost 30 years ago. “The finances are readily available for independent living. We have a potential lender and we have done some underwriting.â€
Milne said there was some urgency to show progress on the project. He said he got a letter from the City’s Office of General Counsel warning him that if progress wasn’t made in some capacity, the legislation would be dropped from the Council agenda for at least one year. Milne said he met with both the OGC and the Historic Preservation Commission.
“Everybody is satisfied,†he said. “It (the June 22 meeting with the Historic Preservation Commission) went very positively and they have some great ideas about financing incentives through ad valorem taxes and tax credit opportunities. They have a lot to offer.â€
Jones said ideally the renovations could start in about nine months.
“Then, it’s about an 18-month process,†said Jones. “The site is so tight, we would use precast (forms). We could have the new building erected in one to two weeks. The interior would take about six months.â€
Jones was also complimentary of the work done by Milne.
“Doug should be commended for keeping things intact,†said Jones. “It could have been torn down long ago.â€
Sounds good. Lets hope it pans out.
I say let's keep close watch. Carlton Jones recently advocated demolition of two historic buildings on Margaret Street. He is recommending a pretty quick schedule for work considering keeping the historic building intact.
Mr. Jones is listed as one of the contractors for the Gateway Mall, very generous in his campaign contibutions as well. If anything happens here, I would want to make sure its all private funding.
From the sounds of it, it would be public and private. Anticipated tax revenues from the post-completed project would be returned to the developer AND/OR the renovation expenses would qualify as a credit against property taxes, if I am reading this correctly.
Sounds good to me. The city should do more of that kind of thing. Let's keep our fingers crossed that this pans out.
Quote“Then, it’s about an 18-month process,†said Jones. “The site is so tight, we would use precast (forms). We could have the new building erected in one to two weeks. The interior would take about six months.â€
Can some explain this to me? "have the new building erected in a couple weeks"?? What NEW building? He's not talking about the interior of the existing PS4, that is the "six months" in the next sentence.
They are proposing to build a new building behind the school in addition to it's reuse.
The property and the school are actually owned by two different corporate entities and the property is much larger than it looks. It actually runs down College St. all the way to Rosselle St. behind Hughes Automotive and the A/C supply company. There is plenty of room for another building, parking, etc.
The property is owned by Peninsular Brooklyn, LLC a for-profit company, not by the Ida Stevens Foundation as the news stories have stated. The school is owned by Foundation Holdings IV, a non-profit company. ???? Who knows. Maybe to limit liability if someone was hurt playing around inside the school. Maybe to limit the City if it took over the building to prevent it from putting a lien on the property.
Neither Jones nor Milne can be trusted to be accurate about their motivations or their plans. Let's hope this time they are being truthful and that their plans work out. My fear is that this talk of a plan coming soon is just another smoke screen to get them out of spending any money to secure and stabilize the building. The delaying tactics and vague promises have served Milne well for over twenty years in this regard.
This property and building, under any new use, could become the first step in a renewed Brooklyn. Milne secured an easement from the FDOT as part of the deal to take some additional property for the expressway expansion. The easement runs UNDER the whole Interstate at ground level to Riverside Park, reconnecting the school building to the park and providing pedestrian access to Five Points and Riverside. Think of the possibilities!
The park was the playground for the school until the construction of the Fuller Warren Bridge in the '50's cut off the access. The Fuller Warren Bridge, while it was being constructed, was known as the Gilmore Street Bridge. The original address of the school was 1011 Gilmore St.
Quote from: lindab on July 01, 2009, 06:03:07 PM
I say let's keep close watch. Carlton Jones recently advocated demolition of two historic buildings on Margaret Street. He is recommending a pretty quick schedule for work considering keeping the historic building intact.
+1
This is the same guy who as recently as 3 or 4 months ago was caught applying to demolish the original Riverside clinic along with 2 historic houses, in order to build a CVS. From what I heard through the grapevine, RAP put a stop to that one rather quickly.
He seems to be an OK guy, but I hope he comes to have more respect for the historic fabric of the neighborhood than he has displayed of late. If he wants to just knock everything down and replace it with cooker-cutter prefab concrete, then he should go over to the southside and do it...they love that stuff over there.
Amen!
It probably IS back on track, given the relatively LITTLE support it has seen of late. All the brilliant minds who have grandiose Ideas for developing our dead Core, cannot even come up with a concrete plan to save a suffering building. BUT WE NEED A NEW CONVENTION CENTER, THATS FOR DAMN SURE!...Im in total agreement of that MAYBE in 10 years... But this School IS FAR MORE IMPORTANT.. At the rate its crumbling, it will be a pile of bricks with the idiots whittling away at its interior, busting everything in sight. And from the lack of respect of the community as a majority.. (theres a few who truly care ,but a hell of alot that really do not, and )THEIR ACTIONS speak for themselves.
For those of you who HAVE very generously donated your time and effort and sweat and tools , and most importantly , your love, From the bottom of my heart I thank you.. But that isnt going to cut it..
For those of you who doe alot of talking ,but ZERO to really help this by complaining to HPC , the Mayor, Council (not that shes going to get much support from that) I know having Mayor Peyton in Charge, the damn thing will be on the ground soon.. He inasmuch stated that to a council member in an email , several years back, which is when I saw them ALL for the lowlife LYING , Criminal people they are.
When she falls, ITS DAMN SURE NOT GOING TO BE BECAUSE I DID NOT TRY! ITS GOING TO BE THAT MOST OF YOU didnt give a shit.
Timkin did this just happen? Did the owner file for demo recently? Whats going on? Last I heard it was safe for a while and that was in June, what has changed? What can we do?
Pray. Contact the owner. Try to find a developer /purchaser for the building.. but don't rely on any of the staff here..... The School is the last thing they are worried about. That is obvious.
Do I dare ask, but what has gotten into you this morning?
My information is that the demolition application will be or has been administratively withdrawn because there is a new owner.
Quote from: thelakelander on July 31, 2010, 07:37:02 AM
Do I dare ask, but what has gotten into you this morning?
Exactly as I have stated... Myself and a few kindhearted volunteers have done all the work to make this place look better.. What have ANY of you done to help ? Driven this Convention Center Idea THROUGH THE GROUND and oh , did i mention ..." of the two projects , The Convention Center or Annie Lytle being restored" Annie has less of a chance.......maybe not in those exact words, but pretty much the jest of your statement.
Annie may never see a new Chapter....OF the two projects , She should and your damn convention center needs to be mothballed......... Don't hold your breath on your multimillion dollar convention center.
And... I got your email intending to ignore me... Fine .. I really don't care .
Yes, I typically ignore such requests.
QuoteMyself and a few kindhearted volunteers have done all the work to make this place look better.. What have ANY of you done to help ?
We've given you a public platform to get your message out and even run a few front page stories about the Annie Lytle situation over the years. You should take advantage of it to promote your cause.
QuoteDriven this Convention Center Idea THROUGH THE GROUND and oh , did i mention ..." of the two projects , The Convention Center or Annie Lytle being restored" Annie has less of a chance.......maybe not in those exact words, but pretty much the jest of your statement.
Is this is what your out of character rant is about? Given city politics and what's come out of the mayor's on mouth, I was just being realistic. However, that doesn't mean you should get overly sensitive. It just means there's more work to be done on the historic preservation front.
QuoteAnnie may never see a new Chapter....OF the two projects , She should and your damn convention center needs to be mothballed......... Don't hold your breath on your multimillion dollar convention center.
Since when did it become my convention center and your school? If the forum atmosphere is too much for you, you should probably lay off of it for a while. Imo, there's nothing on here that should cause anyone the amount of stress you seem to be going through.
QuoteAnd... I got your email intending to ignore me... Fine .. I really don't care .
Sure you care. Or else you would not be posting about it at 2am in the morning. Anyway, nobody wishes you ill will and we (MJ staff) certainly don't want to see the Annie Lytle taken down. Just remember, while we can't focus all our attention on your specific priority (city has too many issues and we have our own personal life's too live), we do allow you a platform to get your message out to thousands of people beyond your reach. Once you cool down, try and take advantage of it.
Well... I'm through ranting.. I have my agenda....which is to stand for and save if at all possible, this poor Schoolhouse. And while I am not able to work on it every Saturday as I truly wish i could, I am still trying to find a solution. Much like I suppose you are trying to find solutions to what you call ,priorities.
And I am not further trying to argue the point but the only "Front Page Story" I have seen on here is the tour of the School in Pictures. I think there is little of the Jacksonville population that does not know what the inside of the School looks like today, thanks to such outlets as Youtube, Facebook, Myspace , etc.. Anyway, you make a point... You all did do that. Thank you.
Here are links to a few articles over the years where we have included the Annie Lytle.
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-sep-downtowns-most-endangered-historic-buildings
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-oct-ruins-of-jacksonville-annie-lytle-public-school
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2007-nov-annie-lytle-gets-a-new-roof
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2006-sep-disappearing-brooklyn-saving-what
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2008-nov-urban-parks-riverside-park
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2007-jun-jacksonvilles-most-endangered-historic-buildings
:) You make 7 points.. I stand corrected. THANK YOU , Staff of Metrojacksonville
I mean no disrespect when I pose the next question...... How do I utilize these stories , to find someone out there or some group out there who cares enough to buy and save this building??
Frustrated is an understatement.. Do we need a convention center?? If you say so... But Annie will not be here in 10 years (thats not my estimation it is a FACT) If we as a community do not come together and find a way to save her. My anger comes from a place of what appears to be lack of concern for the building's future. A multimillion dollar convention center is great and wonderful , but IT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN TOMORROW...I DON'T CARE WHO IS Mayor.
SO ,,,,with that said, can we not shift our focus just a little bit to something that is in dire need of attention RIGHT NOW? Because 10 years from now , it is not going to matter, if we do not band together and find a way... I have been on this since 2006 so with all due respect, Your articles are touching... It is obvious that you all have brilliant minds...(im not being disrespectful, im being completely serious) ANNIE NEEDS ALL OF OUR HELP!!!! I do not know how to make this message any clearer!
QuoteI mean no disrespect when I pose the next question...... How do I utilize these stories , to find someone out there or some group out there who cares enough to buy and save this building??
Them just being on MJ exposes the building and it's issues to thousands of people that are beyond your individual reach. Everyday, we have people coming to the site for the first time. Keeping these threads fresh with updated information, historical stories about the building, images, etc. will continue to expose the Annie Lytle to thousands.
Also, if you want to have a converstation about potential adaptive reuses, just start a thread and throw some uses out there for discussion. There are enough professionals from all types of fields that will provide their input. Given the site's ability to get high hits, that future potential buyer could be reading.
QuoteFrustrated is an understatement.. Do we need a convention center?? If you say so... But Annie will not be here in 10 years (thats not my estimation it is a FACT) If we as a community do not come together and find a way to save her. My anger comes from a place of what appears to be lack of concern for the building's future. A multimillion dollar convention center is great and wonderful , but IT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN TOMORROW...I DON'T CARE WHO IS Mayor.
First, I think we have to put things in their perspective place. There is no either or situation here. It's not about a convention center or mass transit or historic preservation. All of these things come from different funding sources and they won't be accomplished overnight. It's more about creating the political will power to change the way we currently conduct things in this city. With that said, we must make an effort to properly plan for all, regardless of whether a project happens 5, 10 or 20 years down the road.
QuoteSO ,,,,with that said, can we not shift our focus just a little bit to something that is in dire need of attention RIGHT NOW? Because 10 years from now , it is not going to matter, if we do not band together and find a way... I have been on this since 2006 so with all due respect, Your articles are touching... It is obvious that you all have brilliant minds...(im not being disrespectful, im being completely serious) ANNIE NEEDS ALL OF OUR HELP!!!! I do not know how to make this message any clearer!
The central core of MJ's focus is creating a better sustainable Jacksonville. When it comes to historic preservation, not only does the Annie Lytle need help but also whole neighborhoods like Springfield, Downtown, Durkeeville, Eastside, Brooklyn, New Springfield, Moncrief, etc. At the heart of MJ's operations there are only five individuals all donating free time outside of their regular lives to provide this product. This five can only do so much. However, when individuals and small groups like yourself or SOS stand up for your cause, we are here to be the conduit that gets your message across to thousands, including this city's political players.
A lot of the City's political players, follow most of them for the past at least 4 decades, which is why we not only have neighborhoods like Springfield and Brooklyn and others suffering as they are, but why buildings such as Annie and Fire Station 5 probably will not be saved.. Mayor Peyton replied ONCE to my plea on this building , of course commending my cause ,but probably laughing out loud, knowing he was never going to lift a finger to help the cause.. I still have that letter in case anyone would like to read it...along with another that was an internal email from he to Councilman Shad about the School which was anything but encouraging. From the time of reading that letter, I have had no use whatsoever for John Peyton, and see him for who he really is.
It just seems that if I have to count on this City's Government to save anything , let alone Annie Lytle I might as well leap off of the Modis building.. I have ZERO faith in Jacksonville's Government.
Find a mayor who values historic preservation, support and vote for them in 2011. The newcomer will have the ability to change how the local government currently operates.
You said it lake! Changes.............they are a coming! I will note vote for any incumbent!
I hope for everyone's sake that change is truly coming.. because this city is on the brink of a point of no return.