Inside The Claude Nolan Cadillac Building

[Ernest Street]

More Pics!   thank you for a look into a building I have longed to explore for years.
I remember talking to a WWII vet about his registering for the draft in the building across from Florida Theatre (used to be a ballet studio)
He carefully explained to me how they Bastardized the Facade and lost the arch,and commented on how this was happening under the current corrupt Mayor...from 1947-1952 major Facade rape was allowed. Like trying to redress a classic lady to look like a Prostitute.
I commented to him that this was a time when Men liked their Cigarettes Filter-less,their steaks rare,their coffee black and their whiskey straight.
Bad decisions were made after Lunch... ....GOBN  (Good Ole Boy Network)

[sheclown]

We never knew there was any ornate tile work inside there - I agree, it should be saved somehow.

By the way, in one picture I saw up there: are the rafters really bowing, or did you use a wide-angle lens?

The rafters and all of the structural elements are in great shape. 

[tayana42]

Architect W.A. Moore, Jr. must be related to Brooks Haas.

[billy]

I stand corrected on HDR plan.

[thelakelander]

I have not seen the final but the draft of the HDR plan did show two of the three Claude Nolan buildings being demolished.  In this illustration, only the garage (the center building) remained. 



However, what was sketched was really more of a general dream of what the area could become rather than a plan based on reality.

[billy]

...or not

[Debbie Thompson]

When this draft plan was presented at a SPAR meeting, showing the Claude Nolan building as well as the Parkview Inn demolished and this whole block as a "gateway park" to Springfield, some of us at the meeting mentioned the historic value of the Claude Nolan building, and the fact that if the ugly pink concrete panels were removed, the building would resemble the one across the street.

With that knowlege in hand, if I recall, I believe the final master plan for the corner included the Claude Nolan building remaining and being restored. 

Plus, since then, we know the Parkview Inn garage will remain with new retail space (we hope, we hope.)  SPAR is hosting a meeting about the plans for the Parkview Inn at City Kidz on Monday, 12/6 and 6:00 p.m.

[sheclown]

If you want the Claude Nolan building landmarked, you'd better contact city council.  It doesn't look good for that building. It was deferred last night, but the momentum is against it.

[Jumpinjack]

Listening last night, I see two problems both of which are fixable. One is the owner or his attorney speaking up for the building.  Second is the lack of knowing what is underneath that 1940-50s facade.
I couldn't help but contrast that with the Meyers sisters who were there once again to plead for landmark status for their family home in Durkeeville.

[strider]

Part of the reason that the building got the nod from the Historic Preservation Commission was because of that facade.  It in itself is historic.  It is both a plus and a minus that this building's owners had the means to "keep it up" for many decades.  Updating their facility is pretty normal for successful businesses and that is what happen in I believe 1946 or 1949 with this building.  The facade is historically accurate for that time period.  There are still original features within the building as well as a huge potential for the future at that location, and an easier future if there is still a building there rather than an empty lot. Remember that the reason we are trying to get this building(s) landmarked is that they appeared on a Municipal Code Compliance (Kimbery Scott's) hit list.

[JaxUnicorn]

I was at the LUZ meeting when this was discussed.  It seemed painfully obvious to me that the people asking the questions like "Why should we landmark it...just because it is old?" have not even bothered to look at the building.  Have they visited the site?  Have they been inside the building?  Have they even bothered to look at photographs?  Heck, the photos in this thread alone are enough to prove this building has historical value! 

One of the major obstacles to saving these structures is the monetary investment to restore it.  Even with that said, THIS BUILDING IS WORTH SAVING!!!

Perhaps with landmark status the building would qualify for grant funds to restore???

[MEGATRON]

Looking forward to this building being torn down.

[Tacachale]

So these are the buildings built over the ground that's been contaminating Hogan's Creek? Is there any hope of saving the building an still cleaning up the contamination?

[sheclown]

Here is the corners of Main and Orange streets.  It shows Claude Nolan, Inc. Cadillac dealers. The Henry McClellan's English Ford.  The section on the right is now a motel.  Claude Nolan also moved out."  LS

The Claude Nolan Pontiac/Cadillac dealership building is still standing but has been empty and boarded up for many years.  The rest of the buildings were cleared to build a hotel which has since been torn down after many years of being abandoned.  I find the McClellan English Built Ford dealership to be of particular interest.  I wonder if some of this unfortunate shipment of vehicles were headed there.

more:

http://vintagejacksonville.net/2013/10/15/main-street-car-dealerships-1958/

[sheclown]

So these are the buildings built over the ground that's been contaminating Hogan's Creek? Is there any hope of saving the building an still cleaning up the contamination?

Only the small building is built over contamination.  That is the mechanics shop. 

Certainly the facade could be kept in tact.

I would like to see the study and see the extent of the pollution on which it sits.  Is it necessary or just precautionary?