Public School Number 4 Is On Fire

[ricker]

it is not gone yet!
none of the wood that burned was structural.
granted, intense heat followed with copius quantity of water could breach a foundation, absolutely.
that said, aren't those walls over TWENTY INCHES THICK!!!
SOLID MASONRY.
NOT hollow clay, right?
weren't those columns just repainted!?
this wouldn't be the first time a torched building was rebuilt.
perhaps the ruins could stand as a grand perimeter to a massive community garden?
i like the quote below.
demolition is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

[Springfielder]

There's many of us, especially Tim, that have worked so hard and gave so much time and effort into trying to save this old gal. The owner(s) have failed to uphold their end of responsibility all along. Sadly, this latest fire is more than likely just what the city code enforcement needs to finally have the building demolished. It's shameful, at best, the lack of desire and/or effort by this city to maintain it's own historical fabric

[Springfielder]

Yes, that walls are very thick and solid...and yes, they could stand for years longer, as long as there's no cracks or damage from the heat and water. However, the owner will make no effort to stabilize anything, and will allow for the city to bring it down under the premise of public safety

[ricker]

wellllll
now that there is no roof, or floors above grade...
hmm.
less risk of anyone falling through a rotten floor and injuring themselves.
JSO heli can now see in.
no protection from the rain for the urban outdoorsmen.
perhaps this fire lessened any future liability for the owners.
any reuse would have involved fully gutting lil ol annie.
now it is not a nuisance.
new beginning?
call me foolishly optimistic, i do not object.

[Springfielder]

would be nice...

[Coolyfett]

Well Tim....you tried man...Sadly maybe its time to let it go & move on....Seems people who wanted to save PS4 were a great minority.

[jcjohnpaint]

my stomach dropped when I read the news.  Terrible loss. 

[Ocklawaha]

There is little doubt in my mind that this is deliberate.

+1

Shades of our 1895 vintage Jacksonville Terminal's demise.

OCKLAWAHA

[thelakelander]

Is it possible to at least preserve the front facade?

[dougskiles]

Let's suppose the owner gets the city to demolish the building.  Any guesses as to what would be constructed in its place?  This property is too close to the interstate for someone to want to live or work.

[Timkin]

Is it possible to at least preserve the front facade?

It is POSSIBLE to preserve most of the building, but will it happen?  No Not in this Crookedly-run town no way in hell.   Doug Milne finally got what he was looking for.. An angle... to put his stupid retirement facility in place of the building.

To who ever caused this ...All of you .. I hope all of you rot in hell.

[wsansewjs]

I am going to go out on a limb and say this...

I truly believe this is an act of arson as someone was trying to attempt to bring the school down for financial gain indirectly.

This is too good to be "accidental" or "act of God" fire incident.

Too damn good.

-Josh

[Gators312]

Tim, and anyone else who has worked to save PS4 I am sorry to see this.  My sincere condolences.

[Timkin]

I am going to go out on a limb and say this...

I truly believe this is an act of arson as someone was trying to attempt to bring the school down for financial gain indirectly.

This is too good to be "accidental" or "act of God" fire incident.

Too damn good.

-Josh

  I won't name names Josh.. but you are spot on.   And I hope no good at all comes of ill-gotten gains.

[cline]

Let's suppose the owner gets the city to demolish the building.  Any guesses as to what would be constructed in its place?  This property is too close to the interstate for someone to want to live or work.

An empty grass and dirt lot, a la Brooklyn.