KBJ Just Doesn't Get It!

[Barbara Bostwick Edwards]

I worshipped at First Christian Church downtown in the 50's and 60's.  I was baptized by immersion there.  I sat in the pews and looked up to the vaulted ceiling which must be 3 or 4 stories high.  The ceiling was painted to resemble sky.  As a child I thought it must be like heaven.
Our Sunday School was in the Porter Mansion.  I marvelled at the beauty and ornate style of a bygone era.  Did you know there was a ballroom on the 3rd floor complete with a little orchestra platform?  At one time there were porches sweeping around at least 3 sides of that beautiful building.
Then one evening in the 70's a woman was mugged and her purse stolen as we came out of choir practice.  That was the beginning of the end of our determination to stay downtown.
 The Cesery development at 3rd and Main will encompass property where I once lived at 33 East Third St.   That beautiful house, built in 1892 with 7 bedrooms and 2-story porches on front and back, was torn down in the 60's for a used car lot.  My grandfather's bank is the building with the Jaguars painted on it.  The parking lot behind the Ambassador hotel used to hold a historic building almost as beautiful as the Porter Mansion.  My father and I both worked at the City Hall Annex and I spent many happy hours in the Hayden Burns Library.
While I have not lived in Jacksonville since 1973, I read with interest of the revival of downtown and Springfield.   There are a lot of emotions involved in this debate, but there is also the Master Plan to consider.  Preservation and rebuilding is always a good thing.  When First Christian sold their property to KBJ, we were assured they had plans to remodel the brick building into loft apartments.  We know that didn't happen, but a parking lot is not the right solution.

[Jeremiah]

I've said it before, I'll say it again and again.  More groups need to form like MetroJax and like Toni's partnership to affect change in this city.  It's not going to get done by the politicians.  They don't care about the ultimate look of our city.  What they care about is small enough to fit in a thimble.  I am one of the volunteers for Emerging Architects in Jacksonville, and we, as a group, are trying to elevate the level of architectural style and education in Jacksonville.  But we are just a bunch of soon-to-be Architects with lots of vision and too little press.  Much like a lot of grass roots and not for profit groups in town.  But, with developments like 122 Ocean and 15 West and even Churchwell, the message is getting out there and change is happening.  If we want it to happen faster, we need to quite simply get together and BUILD!  BUILD BUILD BUILD!  Some of you are already doing this, and that is phenomenal! I applaud all of you.  Now, how about the rest of us?

[thelakelander]

I agree, the best movements begin with solid and committed grass roots efforts.  Nevertheless, for those who aren't able to build, but value our city's history and urban areas, there's still a huge need to get on board, working to save and preserve a majority of what's left of our urban landscape, as well as encourage quality infill development, in the process.

[urbanrevival]

I hope everyone sees the correlation between the continued progression or potential "re-enforcement" of antiquated downtown parking ordinances and the potential financial gain of additional parking. The easiest way for KBJ to add an income stream for the property is to raze it and add a monthly fee parking spot.

[jeh1980]

The smile of Jacksonville didn't have to look like an old common bum with a lot of teeth missing. Maybe a plain ol' girl next door who wanted to come into the limelight but afraid to take the first step, but not that guy!