Urban Neighborhoods: The Historic Downtown Core
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The preservation of historic building fabric is essential to understanding our community's heritage, smart growth, and community walkability. With this in mind, Metro Jacksonville takes a look at the city's most unique historic environment: The walkable Downtown Core.
Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2010-jun-urban-neighborhoods-the-historic-downtown-core
Great pictorial.
Great history lesson and a good wealth of information as always.
Another advantage to renovation vs. new construction is that with renovation, MORE of the FUNDS STAY LOCAL. New construction is largely spent on materials, the majority of are manufactured elsewhere. Renovation, is much more LABOR intensive, which is going to come from the immediate area.
New floor tiles might be coming from Washington state, but the worker that restores an old tile floor is not going to be from Washington state, but will usually live within 50 miles. The money that is spent locally can 'turn over' again, whereas the money sent to Washington State won't be turning over locally, but there instead.
Good stuff to know. There's not many historic buildings left downtown, but, it's good to know a little about the history and background of the one's that are left. Great pics too.
"HU"
Great shots. I love the Elks building, glad it made the cover shot. We have some great buildings already downtown, we just need to enhance their utility.
Quote from: heights unknown on June 01, 2010, 11:12:30 AM
There's not many historic buildings left downtown, but, it's good to know a little about the history and background of the one's that are left.
I disagree....while many of our older buildings have been knocked down, I think the pictorial shows that there is still a rich tapestry (some might even say a plethora) of historic buildings downtown.
Little known fun fact. There's a dead-end alley on Forsyth between the old Barnett Building at 100 Laura Street and the Atlantic Bank Building. Why? It was an easement for a carriage house that had belonged to a residence that sat on that block at one time. When they were building the Barnett building, the easement could not be cleared, and it therefore could not be built upon. It sits vacant waiting for a horse and carriage that will never arrive. :-)
tufsu1, I have to disagree. There's no "rich tapestry" left - just a few limited reminders that desperately need to be preserved. The vast vast majority of significant structures have already been demolished. (Take a look at the "Jacksonville's Architectural Heritage" book.)
I would agree with the statement that there are still enough historic buildings to warrant a downtown historic district. What little we have left should be celebrated. However, I don't think we should gloss over the fact that downtown's historic remainders are merely a sad shell of an architectural treasure-trove that used to be as big as Savannah or Charleston.
(Just to be clear. I don't wish to belittle the valuable preservation efforts that have been successful. The Planning Department's "Local Landmark" program has preserved most of the buildings listed on Lakelander's fantastic photo tour. So at least the majority of the survivors aren't going anywhere. )
Great pictorial inventory of what's left in Jax. Everyone of these "survivors" needs to remain and the City's leadership will be important to doing that.
All of these buildings are loaded with character, quality, craftsmanship, and history just not found in modern buildings anymore. They are irreplaceable and the loss of each one is an irrevocable diminishment of our community. As mentioned, they are so unique that they are capable of ATTRACTING activity to them if properly preserved and respected. Certainly, no suburban development can match what these structures offer. If Downtown loses these buildings, it will no longer be "special", just an over-sized office park by the river.
My favorite among them is the Greenleaf although it's like trying to pick your favorite child.
I gave Ted Pappas grief on La Villa but will give him an "atta boy" on the project cited (below). Now, if he could repeat this process over and over....
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Quote from: Debbie Thompson on June 01, 2010, 12:57:52 PM
Little known fun fact. There's a dead-end alley on Forsyth between the old Barnett Building at 100 Laura Street and the Atlantic Bank Building. Why? It was an easement for a carriage house that had belonged to a residence that sat on that block at one time. When they were building the Barnett building, the easement could not be cleared, and it therefore could not be built upon. It sits vacant waiting for a horse and carriage that will never arrive. :-)
Thanks for sharing this story!
The Morocco Temple is my favorite, seem like there should lighted torches on top and hidden treasure inside.
Quote from: Debbie Thompson on June 01, 2010, 12:57:52 PM
Little known fun fact. There's a dead-end alley on Forsyth between the old Barnett Building at 100 Laura Street and the Atlantic Bank Building. Why? It was an easement for a carriage house that had belonged to a residence that sat on that block at one time. When they were building the Barnett building, the easement could not be cleared, and it therefore could not be built upon. It sits vacant waiting for a horse and carriage that will never arrive. :-)
Great story. But has that alley been filed in because the only space I can see in that block, using Google Street View is about 6 feet wide. Too narrow for a horse and buggy. The Sanborn maps from 1913 do show a very wide alley on Laura behind the Fla National Bank Bldg at Adams and Laura, but its a vacant lot now. Still a great story.
jb
Was any city/state/federal money used to convert the Churchwell Lofts or W.A. Knight building?
Churchwell has some type of lease agreement with the city for a nearby parking lot that was developed on city property. Without it the project would not have been feasible. The city put up two low-interest $300,000 loans to support the $1.7 million acquisition and restoration costs for the W.A. Knight building in 2001.
I didn't know the Florida Baptist Convention Building was in such bad shape. I'm afraid it may not be with us much longer. Any plans to save it?
Unfortunately, there are no plans.
Quote from: tufsu1 on June 01, 2010, 12:49:05 PM
Quote from: heights unknown on June 01, 2010, 11:12:30 AM
There's not many historic buildings left downtown, but, it's good to know a little about the history and background of the one's that are left.
I disagree....while many of our older buildings have been knocked down, I think the pictorial shows that there is still a rich tapestry (some might even say a plethora) of historic buildings downtown.
But not enough; the majority of them have in fact been razed, wrecker balled, or torn down. Empty lots or undeveloped lots tell the story.
"HU"
There's a real nice article on the Seminole Club in Monday's Daily Record
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/downtowntoday.php?dt_date=2010-05-31 (http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/downtowntoday.php?dt_date=2010-05-31)
At one point a few years ago, there was a plan to renovate it and open a second Sterling's location at the old club. The current asking price is pretty reasonable considering the state of the building and it's location...
QuoteI didn't know the Florida Baptist Convention Building was in such bad shape. I'm afraid it may not be with us much longer. Any plans to save it?
If the Ambassador plans get off the ground and when the courthouse is built... that old girl may have a chance to get more interest from developers.
Well that's a real shame! Someone should tell DVI that, b/c the old Klutho building(complete with plaque and all) is displayed on their downtown walking tour...
In your converstations with FBC are they open to making improvements to their buildings linking up with pedestrian traffic? There are a lot of things at street level behind those walls.
Quote from: stephendare on June 02, 2010, 09:57:52 AM
Quote from: fieldafm on June 02, 2010, 09:46:58 AM
There's a real nice article on the Seminole Club in Monday's Daily Record
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/downtowntoday.php?dt_date=2010-05-31 (http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/downtowntoday.php?dt_date=2010-05-31)
At one point a few years ago, there was a plan to renovate it and open a second Sterling's location at the old club. The current asking price is pretty reasonable considering the state of the building and it's location...
QuoteI didn't know the Florida Baptist Convention Building was in such bad shape. I'm afraid it may not be with us much longer. Any plans to save it?
If the Ambassador plans get off the ground and when the courthouse is built... that old girl may have a chance to get more interest from developers.
I am under the impression that the Baptist Convention Building is slated for demolition. If it is the building that I think it is, it is currently owned by First Baptist downtown.
When we were doing the photo essay of First Baptist, One of the buildings was pointed out for demolition, and I believe that it was the Convention Building.
Different building. This one is not owned by the church anymore although it will probably come down at some point.
One of the less significant buildings at Ashley & Hogan.
It was constructed in 1947.
So, just curious about the FBCB Klutho building... it is indeed listed on the National Register of Historic Places(so qualifies for federal tax credits, federal grant money for remodeling, and property tax exemptions). Little over 26k square feet, 15 dedicated parking spots, and currently lists at $600k. Sounds like it needs a good deal of work from the gentleman I spoke with. Being eligible for all the tax incentives and its location to the expected infill around the new courthouse still hasn't garnered much interest for the old girl.
Interesting to note... it housed the local US Treasury Prohibition Office during those wonderfully glorious years of Prohibition.