QuoteThe old American Heritage Life building at the corner of Main and Forsyth streets was condemned by the City last Wednesday and is subject to demolition. According to the Property Appraiser’s Web site, the building is owned by 5 W. Forsyth St. Inc., which lists a P.O. box in Atlantic Beach as its address. In 2008, the building had an assessed value of $940,878.
From today's Daily Record. Anyone interested in hugging this building? The Daily Record says its old, so it must have value????
Isn't this 11 East? Don't people live in there?
Is this the building across the street from 11E?
Its the catchy eyesore across from 11E.
Been vacant for many years........
For God's sake if they demolish it don't make a parking lot out of it; sell it to some developer or other entity that will either commercial, retail or residential use out of it.
Heights Unknown
Quote from: mtraininjax on June 30, 2009, 11:14:48 AM
Its the catchy eyesore across from 11E.
Been vacant for many years........
Your sense of humor is refreshing...
Eyesore....LOL
This demo would create more space to the left of the now missing Lerner building, courtesy of the Farrahs. Tell me someone doesn't have $$$ signs and plans for this block! What could it be?
The building across from 11 east is actually nice, the only eyesores I see that should be taken down are the parking garage and parking space. I sure hope they don't tear this building down.
I thought the American Heritage Life building WAS 11East, the apartment complex. Isn't that building on the US National Register of Historic Buildings? I think someone at the Daily Record screwed up...
I just googled it and I'm correct. http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM4M68 So now who knows the history behind the building across the street? The parking garage next to it is way more of an eyesore.
http://www.petramanagement.com/index.php?option=com_hotproperty&task=view&id=23&Itemid=2
Is this the building that has been condemned? I'm so confused! ??? ??? ???
Yes, I believe that is the building they are talking about.
You have to be kidding me. >:(
That was the original Woolworth's 5&10-cent store. It was constructed in 1917. When does it stop? This building should not be torn down!
Its the building in the lower right corner
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/downtown_frankenstein/rewind_to_blight/Forsyth1940logo.jpg)
Its the one with Betty Maid signage
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-4727-main-forysth.jpg)
Its the building on the left
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/downtown_frankenstein/historic_scenes/Main-1910.jpg)
{sigh}
Notice all the people? Hustle and bustle? cars, pedestrians and streetcars sharing the road? Perhaps someone would have purchased and renovated had Petra dropped the asking price from 2 million... :'(
They just knocked down the Lerner building which is behind this one. Is this a Farah conspiracy???
Bridgetroll, you're right. $2 million for that building is a pretty crazy asking price. No wonder it is still vacant.
TheProfessor, this is a Chris Hionides owned property.
An Absentee Downtown
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/hionides/Forsyth.jpg)
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2007-mar-an-absentee-downtown
If this building is taken down then the City of Jacksonville should just close up shop at the Historic Preservation offices. Sure, this isn't in a historic district, but it's a historic building in Jacksonville.
Jacksonville: The Bold Demo'd New City of the South.
This building is the old American Heritage Life ANNEX. 11E was the old AHL headquarters.
Hoinides should have been fined and/or required to keep the building up to minimal code. Demolition by neglect should not have been allowed.
This case will be very illustrative of just how seriously this city takes preservation of what little remains of it's historic buildings. What say you Jacksonville??
well if it is condemed, what is the time frame on demolition?? It looks sound from the outside.
I agree with Mtrain. We can always use more parking lots downtown...
I say we make another park on main street, we can call it Main Street Bum Park
This actually makes me sick to my stomach.
Oh. Excellent Idea! Maybe we can put a hot dog cart on it! That would be REALLY urban. Get rid of all of those pesky building so people can REALLY enjoy downtown.
I like the hot dog cart idea. That is creative use for downtown. Let's throw in a kids fountain as well and get rid of that old crappy friendship fountain too. Who needs Springfield's parks, when we can have a chain of them in downtown.
Are you guys talking about 5 W. Forsyth?
CARE Number: 2009 - 148019
It says the original complaint was by Atlantic Engineering that north wall of this building is cracked and bulging out.
As of this moment, it says that abstract work is complete, but nothing yet about a demolition order or recommendation.
Absolutely sickening. I swear to Jebus, there isn't an effing person in power in Jax city government that gives a flip about preservation or the history of the city. Let's just burn the whole damned city and build a new one on top of it. At least that way we could be competitive with Atlanta.
Quote from: jason_contentdg on June 30, 2009, 01:26:34 PM
Jacksonville: The Bold Demo'd New City of the South.
That's not how I see Jacksonville.
^ When I see aerial images of downtown Jacksonville today with surface parking and empty lots where buildings once stood, compared to the Jacksonville of the 20's with density and vibrancy at the core, that's how I see it.
For many years there has been trouble getting tenants into that building. Everyone thinks parking is to much of hassle in that area to rent office space for the price they have been asking (God forbid utilizing a nearby parking garage). Of the few times I've been involved with projects that have this building as one of the leasing options, the tenant always opted for space in an office park building. It’s pretty sad; the people of Jacksonville are so lazy and seem put out if they have to walk more than fifty feet from their car to their front door, that they don't realize the true abundance of parking in the downtown area; and how their laziness is killing our downtown fabric. People have to realize where we live and that on-site parking isn't a necessity of life. Get out and walk you fat f**cks!
If you are interested in stopping the demolision which is on track, email Councilman Don Redman at redman@coj.net and the mayor at jpeyton@coj.net.
Quote from: JaxNative68 on June 30, 2009, 05:18:40 PM
For many years there has been trouble getting tenants into that building. Everyone thinks parking is to much of hassle in that area to rent office space for the price they have been asking (God forbid utilizing a nearby parking garage). Of the few times I've been involved with projects that have this building as one of the leasing options, the tenant always opted for space in an office park building. Its pretty sad; the people of Jacksonville are so lazy and seem put out if they have to walk more than fifty feet from their car to their front door, that they don't realize the true abundance of parking in the downtown area; and how their laziness is killing our downtown fabric. People have to realize where we live and that on-site parking isn't a necessity of life. Get out and walk you fat f**cks!
Maybe, using it for office space isn't the best use. There's a ton of things that building could be possibly used for other than typical office space. However, that asking price needs to drop dramatically to make any thing going in it reasonably feasible.
If I had confidence in the City to do something with it other than give it away for free or flatten it for parking, I could miss eminent domain. With uncaring/unqualified ownership, and mis-focused municipal planning, what is the lesser of the two evils?
Quote from: Cliffs_Daughter on June 30, 2009, 02:53:25 PM
Are you guys talking about 5 W. Forsyth?
CARE Number: 2009 - 148019
It says the original complaint was by Atlantic Engineering that north wall of this building is cracked and bulging out.
As of this moment, it says that abstract work is complete, but nothing yet about a demolition order or recommendation.
Was this damage done during the previous demo of the Lerner structure? The north wall was the wall adjacent to the former building, now a.k.a. empty lot!
It's more likely that the crack and bulging were hidden by the Lerner building and were exposed by it's demolition.
I was watching CNBC this morning and they had a guest on who has like 10 million square feet of commercial space in downtown New York. He said that the MAYOR has been working with Commercial property owners on a plan to nurture entreprenuers. The Commercial spaces are setup for use by entreprenuers for an hour or two a day, and its a place where other entreprenuers and business people can congregate and share ideas. Business helping other business to expand and grow.
I slam on the mayor a lot, because these are simple ideas and don't take much to get done. If Hionedes is as bad as many say he is, I am sure there have to be other buildings where the mayor can ask for help to build programs like this. Simple, easy, and they tend to show a more progressive city. I am not advocating doing that with this building, it may not be possible since its been empty so long, but there are so many empty buildings and empty spaces that should get people back downtown looking to expand the business of Jacksonville.
I do not own any downtown buildings, or I would start one.
What A ridiculous thing to see on vacation. Ugh! I would say if this one is allowed to go through, then no vacant building is safe.
BTW, the building did not share a wall with Lerner; there was a gap
Either there was a gap or that is one FAST growing tree!
^ This is a pretty cool idea. I've never checked on real estate leases for downtown, but perhaps the ridiculous asking prices have stifled development, along with other things. We all felt 2 million for the above building was way out of line. The city is actually in a unique position because they own so much that they could offer great deals to new entrepreneurs to spark some growth. Along with mtrain's idea for starters why not reward some new business ventures with low rents. A little revenue is better then none, right? I mentioned on another thread that there could be something pretty innovative done with the old Snyder church. We need to expand our thinking and stop doing things the way they have always been done. This city is so resistant to "new" and "change."
The city is also resistant to "old" . . . why keep it when you can bulldoze it?
Stephen: I'm trying to find out. I thought that is what I read but I may have assumed it. Typically, the downtown buidlings that have been condemned are demolished.
Does Snyder Church have AC?
^ I'm not sure. I was in their during the jazz festival, but I don't remember. The building definitely needs some work, but the design is perfect for a live jazz venue. Coffee bar, wine bar, dessert. It would be a nice opportunity for the city to partner with someone to keep it from getting condemned. Opening the church up to the public would add another nice venue to Laura Street.
yes...and the dueling pianos show there tonight was cool...a nice addition to ArtWalk
Incubators are a great idea and can work. Look at the building in the 1500 block of Main St in Springfield. It is being used as an incubator, currently rent-free, and is/has been occupied by Royal Treatment and Intertia records, Zombie bikes and Burro Bags. These companies pay for utilities, keep up the grounds, did their own "build out," and add vibrancy to the Historic District. I think one of the record shops did not make it, but I believe the other businesses are flourishing?
QuoteIncubators are a great idea and can work.
Who can go see the mayor, without laughing at him, and ask him for space to start up this program?
I found this the other day looking through old city notes from the Jax Daily Record.
• Speaking of Council, the mayor’s office and Council member Art Shad are asking the City to approve a no cost lease for the former South Jacksonville City Hall on Hendricks Avenue to Greenscape Jacksonville. The initial lease is five years with three, five-year renewal options.
Perhaps going through our city council members with the idea would be the place to start. I've always found it's better to give them the plan and say try to get this done, than to just say what can you do with this idea.
Does anyone know where I can find a list of all the buildings and lots currently owned by the city?
Public Buildings would not give me a list when Bill Watson was at the helm, they claimed 9-11 security as the issue. Perhaps we could get a birdy in the office of Public Buildings to do so off the record, no way anyone will stick their neck out in public email or telephone.
off record???
I might know someone, off record.
;)
Seems to me a public records request should be able to get that info with out a lot of guff.
I'm starting to think that when a building downtown doesn't sell after an extended period of time, the city slaps a condemned sticker on it just to get to stop looking at it. I noticed the condemned notice on this building the other day. I'm not familiar with these things, but does anyone know how much structural damage a building has to have to be condemned? Also, I noticed the building is still for sale? Asking is 2 million? nice
Also regarding land/lots the city owns, that should be public record. The property appraisers office should have that (I would think). Shouldn't you be able to look that up on the appraisers website. Most city owned propertys are listed just as city of jacksonville without a street numeric or as the numeric listed as 0.
Actually, they're primarily listed by RE number.
If the particular building/site has a street address, then it is listed along with the RE.
Try and get a list of the buildings, I triple-dog dare you.......I'll betcha that the boy wonder will claim 9-11 security as the reason they don't.
Quote from: mtraininjax on July 07, 2009, 07:14:36 AM
Try and get a list of the buildings, I triple-dog dare you.......I'll betcha that the boy wonder will claim 9-11 security as the reason they don't.
Oh really.... a triple-dog challenge...
I wonder if you ever check your email.
A building is considered condemned if it is unsuitable for human occupation. a building can be new and if it does not have the power or water turned on it can be condemned
IMPORTant IMPORtant IMportant.... Let me share my Invaluable experience concerning Acquiring a building from DA CITY. Concerning "Condemned buildings" The city doesnt condemn their own property, they condemn others---this is a fact from JOE Whittaker of the JEDC... Many of the buidings owned by the city, actually all are put up "for sale" in the public record has a request for proposal(RFP) usually found in jax business report.
Im going to throw at this discussion a property i tried to get that fits perfectly to this discussion. Its address is 324 N broad street. This is the said building you, all involved in this thread are looking for. Contact Joe whittaker at 904 630 1624 to see what the status is on this property. Go and check this out. You can keep all informed, but im flat burned out trying to get this building, i just went elsewhere. But i believe as this thread has said that all united might stand a better chance of getting this to happen
Quote from: avonjax on June 30, 2009, 11:20:22 AM
Quote from: mtraininjax on June 30, 2009, 11:14:48 AM
Its the catchy eyesore across from 11E.
Been vacant for many years........
That would be M-train.. he thinks anything abandoned or historical should be automatically torn down. That sort of mindset is why we "lack" in surface/garage parking downtown..
Your sense of humor is refreshing...
Eyesore....LOL
Quote from: Cliffs_Daughter on July 07, 2009, 10:21:37 AM
Quote from: mtraininjax on July 07, 2009, 07:14:36 AM
Try and get a list of the buildings, I triple-dog dare you.......I'll betcha that the boy wonder will claim 9-11 security as the reason they don't.
Oh really.... a triple-dog challenge...
I wonder if you ever check your email.
hehe ... tell em , Heather :)