Public School Number 4 Is On Fire

[Springfielder]

Dude.. don't go there.  You are such an idiot.

Nice, up to name calling, great class! Nice!

Please, mtraininjax, hear me when I say this from the depths of my heart.  You may or not know the place that Annie Lytle holds in timkin's heart, but it brings me to mind the impermanence of this world and how many of us want to hold something to their heart in this world that endures.  It is very damn hard to just let go for the sake of the 'future' or for 'progress' when we know that these seemingly minor things present to us a cold, hard look at our own mortality.  Please let timkin grieve in his own way for this building.  It is not just a pile of bricks, but was the heart of a vibrant community that  educated and nurtured many young people who called this city their home.  I do not believe that timkin is lashing out at you directly, but he is speaking against an attitude that does not understand the depths of throwing such special places like Annie Lytle to the dustheap of history.  I know that you want good things for our city, but I also know that forums like this are places where we can work harder to understand our differences while feeling some empathy where possible...

+1000

[nomeus]

Dont go inside? I say why not? Seems like everyone and their mother has been in there on a daily basis! Sure you run the risk but thats the way it goes. As far as arrests go, based on what I saw with my own eyes, the ratio of people coming and going vs arrests is like 1000 to 1 im sure.

[deathstar]

School Four for me is all the memories I had of growing up in 5 Points and running through Riverside Park, and peering over at the scariest damn building my pre-teenage eyes had ever seen. Then, into my teen years, sneaking in with my friends and trying to spook each other with tales of ghost stories. The older I got, the history and importance of this structure started to become much more apparent to me. Part of that was research I'd do online, which eventually brought me to MetroJax when the term "School Four Jax" would pop in the google search results.

The only thing I wish is, and I'm echoing what's already been said for decades now, is that we would've done something sooner. That, some former students would realize how important this School was and could share some stories about former teachers, what the insides looked like at the time they were attending, etc...

Finding out about this inferno and knowing how much it's a blow below the belt to our very own TimKin, the very guy who's taken more care of this place than any owner has since they closed the doors for good, is enough to make my stomach hurt.

I also wish I had the damn phone numbers of the owners, so I could call them and leave a nasty voice message. If this was indeed the work of their dirty hands, then guys, in the nicest most possible & heartfelt way I could ever imagine...

Go fuck yourselves. < owners

[Timkin]

Well.... my post will probably get removed again... thanks in advance, who ever.   The School is still very much savable.  We just do not have the mindset to do so , running our city.


With every bit of my being , I have little doubt that the owners OBJECT to what just happened.  So it is really no better than if they torched the building themselves.

The same holds true to the poster who came on earlier and started his usual bullshit with me. 

Its difficult to tell who cares the least.

[lorencjones]

I have four words, con spear a cee  ((pun intended with spelling)

[north miami]

It's a Sacred Catastrophe- the history,issues brought to attention to a broad audience.
MJ member quoted in the Paper this morning,reporting outlook takes a certain turn.

Beams of healing light surround Timkin,No. 4

[JeffreyS]

The owners neglect even if this were just an accident is as responsible as anything else.  It is time we legislate some additional responsibilities to owning historic properties. Properties that you are not allowed to demolish you should not be able to own or buy and demolish with neglect.

They need to be held accountable for willfully destroying the property even if it wasn't with a bulldozer.

[dougskiles]

The owners neglect even if this were just an accident is as responsible as anything else.  It is time we legislate some additional responsibilities to owning historic properties. Properties that you are not allowed to demolish you should not be able to own or buy and demolish with neglect.

They need to be held accountable for willfully destroying the property even if it wasn't with a bulldozer.

I would add the Florida Department of Transportation to the list of responsible parties.  The day they decided to build an interstate highway in the front yard of this facility pretty much sealed the building's fate (going back to the original highway construction, not the recent interchange ramp).  They took away any marketable use for the building.  Who seriously wants to live or work that close to a major highway?

My guess is that only an industrial use would make sense there now.  And, given the solid walls that are remaining, perhaps it could be converted to a warehouse or manufacturing building?

[Bativac]

The owners neglect even if this were just an accident is as responsible as anything else.  It is time we legislate some additional responsibilities to owning historic properties. Properties that you are not allowed to demolish you should not be able to own or buy and demolish with neglect.

They need to be held accountable for willfully destroying the property even if it wasn't with a bulldozer.

I would add the Florida Department of Transportation to the list of responsible parties.  The day they decided to build an interstate highway in the front yard of this facility pretty much sealed the building's fate (going back to the original highway construction, not the recent interchange ramp).  They took away any marketable use for the building.  Who seriously wants to live or work that close to a major highway?

My guess is that only an industrial use would make sense there now.  And, given the solid walls that are remaining, perhaps it could be converted to a warehouse or manufacturing building?

I think if someone with vision converted the building into studio-style artist's lofts the building would do really well. Young artists (speaking as one) aren't as concerned with being under the shadow of an expressway, given the opportunity to live in such a cool space. But - the units would have to be for lease, or for a reasonable cost. I don't see them getting a quarter of a million out of them.

That's assuming the owner (or the city) doesn't take the opportunity to tear the building down.

[thelakelander]

I would add the Florida Department of Transportation to the list of responsible parties.  The day they decided to build an interstate highway in the front yard of this facility pretty much sealed the building's fate (going back to the original highway construction, not the recent interchange ramp).  They took away any marketable use for the building.  Who seriously wants to live or work that close to a major highway?

I'm surprised they didn't tear it down along with every other building that stood in the way or within a few feet of the expressway when it was originally constructed.  Someone in the 1950s must have believed it was significant enough to preserve because a ton of buildings and parks were mowed over for the original expressway system.

[wsansewjs]

It's a Sacred Catastrophe- the history,issues brought to attention to a broad audience.
MJ member quoted in the Paper this morning,reporting outlook takes a certain turn.

Beams of healing light surround Timkin,No. 4

Where is the article in the paper?

-Josh

[Dog Walker]

Front page, Josh, then continued on A-4.

It's amazing how the road noise drops off when you get inside the building.  Thick masonry walls inside and out will do that even when the windows are missing.  With modern, double-paned windows, the noise inside would not be an issue for most uses.  Don't know about residences through.

The least expensive, most useful restoration of the school would be to turn it back into a school.  All of the private high schools are far out in Southside.  All of the kids who are currently in RPDS, St. Paul's, etc. have to start commuting there when they get past the sixth grade.

Seems like an opportunity to me.

[wsansewjs]

Front page, Josh, then continued on A-4.

It's amazing how the road noise drops off when you get inside the building.  Thick masonry walls inside and out will do that even when the windows are missing.  With modern, double-paned windows, the noise inside would not be an issue for most uses.  Don't know about residences through.

The least expensive, most useful restoration of the school would be to turn it back into a school.  All of the private high schools are far out in Southside.  All of the kids who are currently in RPDS, St. Paul's, etc. have to start commuting there when they get past the sixth grade.

Seems like an opportunity to me.

But correct me if I am wrong, how can Duval County School Board afford that?

-Josh

[Dog Walker]

School Board can't afford it, but the private schools can.  How do you think Bolles, Episcopal, Bishop Kenny, etc. got built?

Riverside Presbyterian Day School recently announced that it had paid off the debt it had from it's dramatic expansion.  They could now afford to renovate Annie Lytle and make it a Riverside Presbyterian High School.  They are a major feeder to Bolles and Episcopal right now.

Annie Lytle is just across the park from them, too.

[wsansewjs]

School Board can't afford it, but the private schools can.  How do you think Bolles, Episcopal, Bishop Kenny, etc. got built?

Riverside Presbyterian Day School recently announced that it had paid off the debt it had from it's dramatic expansion.  They could now afford to renovate Annie Lytle and make it a Riverside Presbyterian High School.  They are a major feeder to Bolles and Episcopal right now.

Annie Lytle is just across the park from them, too.

Religion-oriented or not, I would be happy if Annie Lytle school would be a new home to students right now.

-Josh