Save the Bostwick Building!

[Jagsdrew]

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=537366

Historical buildings are dropping like flies, first Worman's and perhaps the Bostwick Building.  But hey its ok, we can leave Berkman 2 up.  Nobody notices that eyesore.

[Debbie Thompson]

From the article:  "DVI board member Oliver Barakat suggested that the organization advocate for the preservation of the building, saying that if it is demolished, “we send a message that it’s OK to tear down historic buildings Downtown.”  Daily Record Publisher Jim Bailey, a former DVI board member, said at the meeting that the building had deteriorated to the point that preservation or repair would be extremely expensive."

1)  Had intervention been applied sooner, the deterioration would never have reached the point Mr. Bailey mentioned.

2)  With early intervention not done, why isn't the extra expense worth it to preserve history, as Mr. Barakat advocates?

3)  Ditto the Center Theatre with Mr. Bailey goes on to discuss. We could have had another fabulous building like the Florida Theatre downtown, instead of a vacant lot.

[duvaldude08]

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=537366

Historical buildings are dropping like flies, first Worman's and perhaps the Bostwick Building.  But hey its ok, we can leave Berkman 2 up.  Nobody notices that eyesore.

In all fairness, the citys hands are tied with the Berkman 2. There is ZERO they can do. All they can do is fine them for the condition of the property (which my understanding they have been.) But its up to the actual owner, like in the case of the bostwick building AND worman's Deli, to request demolition.  Its not like the city is picking building to tear down. However, atleast there are being efforts made to save the Bostwick. But what we do with it next is the question.

[Debbie Thompson]

In the case of Worman's and Bostwick, the City is supposed to work to preserve historic buildings. Berkman that doesn't apply to.

That said, what happened with Berkman is a shame.

[Timkin]

I wonder if the owner would entertain letting a volunteer crew Mothball the building?  Should be less costly than demo?

[Pinky]

I wonder if the owner would entertain letting a volunteer crew Mothball the building?  Should be less costly than demo?

It has no roof; I think it's beyond "mothballing". 

[duvaldude08]

In the case of Worman's and Bostwick, the City is supposed to work to preserve historic buildings. Berkman that doesn't apply to.

That said, what happened with Berkman is a shame.

What is going on with that case? I know everything was haulted because of the law suit that was going on, but that has been 5 years ago now. Last I heard everything was still hung up in court. Until thats resovled, I dont think anything is going to happen with that property. The city has called them like crazy and they will not respond. Im tired of looking at thing

[Debbie Thompson]

I didn't mean to hijack the thread about the Bostwick Building in picking up on the Berkman mention.  Let's start a thread on the Berkman to discuss that.  Sorry!

[bornnative]

Timkin, I would agree with Pinky that the level of work necessary to mothball the structure is almost certainly beyond what a volunteer crew could accomplish.  We're not talking about sweeping and clearing debris - the building needs some serious structural mitigation (plus the aforementioned roof) to even get to a point of medium-term physical stability.  It speaks to the integrity of that old building style that the walls are even still standing now...a building built in today's method/style would probably have already collapsed if it were placed under the same stress.

They don't build them like they used to, and soon we'll only be able to learn about "how they used to" through pictures vs. preserved physical examples.  Very sad.

[Timkin]

Timkin, I would agree with Pinky that the level of work necessary to mothball the structure is almost certainly beyond what a volunteer crew could accomplish.  We're not talking about sweeping and clearing debris - the building needs some serious structural mitigation (plus the aforementioned roof) to even get to a point of medium-term physical stability.  It speaks to the integrity of that old building style that the walls are even still standing now...a building built in today's method/style would probably have already collapsed if it were placed under the same stress.

They don't build them like they used to, and soon we'll only be able to learn about "how they used to" through pictures vs. preserved physical examples.  Very sad.

No argument that it would be a major ordeal.    Is it worth trying? 

I guess being owned by someone not willing to do anything but destroy it says all that needs to be said on the matter.

So disheartening.   Another one neglected til it cannot feasibly be saved.  More to come.

I just love this city. 

[BackinJax05]

More to come.

I just love this city.


Well, they're off to a good start with the old city hall & courthouse - sitting empty, too. Wonder if they're gonna let them deteriorate to collapse. ( I know the old city hall, courthouse & Berkman arent historic like the Bostwick, however, they're 3 more abandoned, neglected buildings on East Bay Street)

[sheclown]

Timkin, I would agree with Pinky that the level of work necessary to mothball the structure is almost certainly beyond what a volunteer crew could accomplish.  We're not talking about sweeping and clearing debris - the building needs some serious structural mitigation (plus the aforementioned roof) to even get to a point of medium-term physical stability.  It speaks to the integrity of that old building style that the walls are even still standing now...a building built in today's method/style would probably have already collapsed if it were placed under the same stress.

They don't build them like they used to, and soon we'll only be able to learn about "how they used to" through pictures vs. preserved physical examples.  Very sad.

With PSOS, we look at the mothballing process in two parts really.  The part that requires licensed contractors (and insurance & etc) and the part that is perfect for volunteers.  Certainly the stabilization of Bostwick will require the proper permits (even tho -- and probably especially tho -- it is temporary).  After this is checked out by the building inspection department, then volunteers certainly could do some cleanup. 

It's a good system that works for us. 

[Ocklawaha]

SEE URBAN CONSTRUCTION UPDATE - http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-aug-urban-construction-update-august-2012/page/1 

DON'T TEAR IT DOWN - REPURPOSE IT!

Amazing! Seem's to me the PERFECT solution for the Bostwick Building. Clear out EVERYTHING right down to the walls and slab, stick a few park benches inside... add a fountain with a water screen, jump back and count the people and the new nightlife on Bay.


The event attracted more than 30,000 people to Liverpool’s Sefton Park. LCC instigated several technical production upgrades and used a new set of production suppliers for the 2005 show. This included XL Video, and large-format projection specialists E\T\C UK and LCI, who supplied both lasers and the waterscreen.

The show integrated various technical elements into a fluid, fast-moving montage of images and music. A 15-minute piece detailing Liverpool’s history was displayed with popular tunes from Shirley Bassey and Yello, Moby, The Teardrop Explodes, and Liverpool’s own The Beatles. The finale was a scrolling photographic tribute to John Lennonâ€"one of Liverpool’s most famous musical heroesâ€"to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his assassination.


Projecting On Water
The water screen provided a 17mx35m projection surface. It was powered by two 75kW pumps with manual pump-starts that were fed through a single nozzle. Two sets of 3-phase power were fed out to the pumps via double-sheathed Camlok cables.

The show’s video content was stored on a Doremi hard drive and output by Stuart Heaney using a Panasonic MX70 mixer to feed two Barco R18 projectors, overlapped to double the image intensity. Timecode generated from the video was sent to sound, laser, and PIGI projection control


E\T\C UK supplied a single PIGI 7kW projector with double rotating scroller. This was run from a PIGI OnlyCue control triggered by the timecode. The system was programmed and operated by Karen Monid.

"We upped the ante this time around and it’s really paid off," comments event manager Kirstie Blakeman. "The addition of PIGI projection has made a huge difference."

[Tacachale]

^Unfortunately it appears the current owners of the Boswick Building are absolutely no vision and no concern about their own property.

[thelakelander]

I like your idea Ock but it ignores the financial reality of the situation.  In you're scenario, either the property owner eats the cost to partially demolish and donate the land or some entity like the city would have to purchase it for public use.