Annie Lytle Update as reported by TU

[second_pancake]

Did anyone read this???

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/021908/met_248312178.shtml

[Timkin]

I was called about 6 oclock this morning to be informed of this .  If this actually comes into place, I could not be happier

[deathstar]

I was sitting in the break room @ work (Publix) when I shuffled through the paper on the table, and I saw School Four on the front page, I let out a big YES!!!!!!! and called up my friend in VA who is at school there. She and a bunch of dorm mates were going to present a case to some kind of National Historic Foundation to save this building, and when I told her she was as excited as I was.

I have loved this building since I lived in Riverside, and to see it saved once again, with hopes of something REALLY happening now, its a wonderful thing

[Ocklawaha]

I've learned with the streetcar "studies" to get excited only when the dirt gets moving, and even then be careful because accidents do happen... Oop's knocked down the walls, guess it's toast. I don't want to pee on your parade but I don't trust any of them. Tell your friends to make it a great case and present it before another flyover ramp has to be built to connect this location with Union Terminal, Of course both would have to come down if they were in the way.

Ocklawaha

[deathstar]

I've learned with the streetcar "studies" to get excited only when the dirt gets moving, and even then be careful because accidents do happen... Oop's knocked down the walls, guess it's toast. I don't want to pee on your parade but I don't trust any of them. Tell your friends to make it a great case and present it before another flyover ramp has to be built to connect this location with Union Terminal, Of course both would have to come down if they were in the way.

Ocklawaha

Oh I know, and I understand your hesitance. Time and time again, since I was a little kid, I've seen & heard about this building being purchased, readied to be developed, and plans fallen through. It's just that this time, with it all on the line now, I'm optimistic something will happen.

[Jason]

I was called about 6 oclock this morning to be informed of this .  If this actually comes into place, I could not be happier

Good to see you quoted in the article too TimKin.

I really hope to see something good come out of this.  Almost anything is better than letting it rot.

[Timkin]

I will NEVER give up on this .  While my piece may have been seen by some as abrasive or out of anger, The buildings condition speaks for itself.  I do not discount nor ignore that for the duration of the ownership, the foundation has probably spent a fortune on a boardup and Fence off effort, that only gets compromised on a daily basis.

I will not go into details but will let them unfurl for themselves.. I will simply say that for the first time, I see hope and a very possibly imminent forward motion for the Schools next chapter of existence.

I am also hopeful that an organized effort of community support and volunteer help on a massive cleanup of the premises will be allowed.. It is mainly for concern of liability that this previously has not been considered. I indicated willingness to waive liability and was joined by quite a few who will commit to do the same in an effort to assist this situation, and at least diminish the blighted, overgrowth, grafitt, trim trees , etc .. No matter what happens with the school , this would have to be done anyway.

I would greatly appreciate (IF IT IS ALLOWED) any and all volunteer effort on a cleanup . A large group of people could do ALOT for this place in a weekend. or two.. or whatever it takes.

[mtraininjax]

Timkin, et all,

Do the owners have proper liability insurance to allow a cleanup on the premesis? What happens if someone falls and hurts themselves? As the property owner, I would not let ANYONE on the site, only professionals with business licenses, ie licensed building contractors. You can watch other people clean up the site, and its way safer than worrying about material falling around you. That was fun in College, but you ain't in college no more.

[Timkin]

Im personally willing to waive liability to help on a cleanup effort. Primarily only the outside of the building would be cleaned up.  While I would be willing to help on a cleanup of the interior, there really isnt much use in that until the overall rennovation begins, whenever it is that this happens.

With regard to indoor dangers , it begins with somehow sealing the building off to people who are looking to go into it without permission.  Because vandalism is a nearly everyday occurrance there, I would hope they carry the necessary liability insurance.  It is unfortunate that this is one of the areas of the law that appears to protect the badguy.  They can break in the building, fall and get hurt , and sue the owners.  While I personally dont think thats fair, thats how it is.

My thinking of interior cleanup was things like the removal of the collapsed roof from out of the auditorium..that could be fairly easily removed right out the front entrance of the School House and placed in a dumpster.   I think any volunteer work there would help the situation in that it reduces some of the costs incurred of the tearout/ cleanout of the building.   Theres not much in the way of furnishings left and what is there is destroyed.  Things like an old Ice machine in one of the hallways.  broken bathroom fixtures.. I mean the place is just completely destroyed on the inside...but at the same time... when a rennovation effort begins, remedial work to the interior would require the removal of all this junk anyway.   I never saw the presence of any asbestos material and belive in fact, that the building predates asbestos anyway which is a plus.

I was contacted again by the National Trust last evening and a field representative will be in touch with me early this week.. They are aware of this School and agree its certainly worth saving.   My volunteer efforts of cleanup are because im committed to seeing this building remain, and I for one will take a risk.

[Jimmy]

The owners of the building are in far-greater legal jeopardy at this point for their failure to maintain the premises.  With the fences down and the building unsecured, the whole facility is an attractive nuisance at this point.  Kids and others enter the building all the time for bad purposes.  If community-minded people are willing to assume the liability of cleaning it up on the outside, I think it's something noble and to be encouraged.

With regard to indoor dangers , it begins with somehow sealing the building off to people who are looking to go into it without permission.  Because vandalism is a nearly everyday occurrance there, I would hope they carry the necessary liability insurance.  It is unfortunate that this is one of the areas of the law that appears to protect the badguy.  They can break in the building, fall and get hurt , and sue the owners.  While I personally dont think thats fair, thats how it is.

My thinking of interior cleanup was things like the removal of the collapsed roof from out of the auditorium..that could be fairly easily removed right out the front entrance of the School House and placed in a dumpster.   I think any volunteer work there would help the situation in that it reduces some of the costs incurred of the tearout/ cleanout of the building.   Theres not much in the way of furnishings left and what is there is destroyed.  Things like an old Ice machine in one of the hallways.  broken bathroom fixtures.. I mean the place is just completely destroyed on the inside...but at the same time... when a rennovation effort begins, remedial work to the interior would require the removal of all this junk anyway.   I never saw the presence of any asbestos material and belive in fact, that the building predates asbestos anyway which is a plus.

In my mind, based on what I've seen, the outside cleanup is a cakewalk compared to what has to happen inside the building.  Timkin has archived some good footage that he shot and narrated, as well as a news story run by Channel 4 a couple of years back in the Multimedia section of JaxOutLoud.com 

You can check it out for yourself at http://jaxoutloud.com/multimedia/multimedia.html

[jbm32206]

Tim, It's my hope that members of the forums/community will be willing to sign those waivers and comi out to help clean up, when you let us know the date.

[creeksidebrewery]

I think it would be a sweet spot for a Brewery. Wonder if i can get a grant.....

[Jimmy]

Now you're thinking!  We need some creative thinking...

[Timkin]

For several weekends I have been at the School Site , working on the rightofways (Peninsular Place & College) removing litter and overgrowth off the fencing systems surrounding the property, with the thought there to work from the outside perimeters, inward , removing overgrowth , trimming trees, removing vines off the building , trees that are not significant or are in the way of any potential restoration , etc.

Jimmy is completely on the mark.. The owners must realize the predicament they are in.  For years they have attempted keeping people out of the building by boarding it up. This gets compromised within days at best, which leads me to belive that one of the important tasks at hand is to improve the visibility all the way around this building , remove all the vines and overgrowth that lend to this haunted look.  If it is not to be for some time that the building is somehow reutilized, then if it takes bolting steel plates inside and outside of the doorways and 1st story floors to keep people out , that what it takes.

My work there is voluntary and will continue on so long as I am allowed to do it by the owners , and I will waive liablility and urge others who really want to see this building not meet an unfavorable demise, and in an effort to show community support to the owners, and in the interest of helping this situation along , I urge them as well to waive liablility, and join me.  Weekends are the only time I have to work on it, and is most likely when most anyone else would be availiable.

There is much to do there that would greatly reduce dangers that has nothing to do with the cleanout or clean up of the interior.  I remain optimistic about the revived plan for the School but like others, I realize that plans have been made for it in the past, and for whatever reason, it never got into action.  What has never happened , at least in my memory, is a community effort on the School and premises to brighten it up and lose the haunted look , that so many connect the School to being haunted.   Vandalism has run rampant for years  and we (those that want this place saved, must take steps to reduce the Vandalism opportunities. Boarding up the building obviously isnt going to work when Steel Doors to the entrance are ripped right off of the hinges.   Relighting the property probably would help this somewhat.....but I cannot imagine why the owners  would let this building sit there , easily accessible  and do nothing , when they know it is a liability waiting to happen, yet deny a community effort which helps them and more importantly helps the School Building itself.

It is my sincere hope that the community  will join me on this effort.  This will probably take a while.. meaning it will be an on-going task, but one well worth the effort for a building that very much deserves a new life.  At this point in time, I have no personal preference as to what kind of business occupies the building , because Id rather anything occupy it , than vandalism and disrepair to continue its destruction.  Brewery, Storage, Apartment Building, Mixed use destination, Walmart...  Something will work there !! Any effort is better than none, and time is of the essance!

[downtownparks]