DVI finally showing some muscles on downtown.

[fieldafm]

Read this blog about advocating for the preservation of the Bostwick Building.  THANK YOU for speaking up about this issue!  Sincerely mean that. 

http://www.downtownjacksonville.org/blog/

[Tacachale]

Good post.

[John P]

Dvi had to wait for IBM to tell them they should be interested in repurposing old buildings

[tufsu1]

no need to be snarky...as field noted, DVI is doing a real good thing here and should be commended

[Noone]

How about the demolition that is going on right now at the end of Catherine St. The roll up dumpster is loaded with brick and 1/2 the lot has been cleared. The other 1/2 scattered with brick. What is the history of this building?

Appears that there are two parts to this building. The first 1/2 was brick construction and it was framed 3 bricks thick. The second addition appears to be concrete block.

Does anyone have a clue as to what is going on?

Tufsu1 it's just down the street.

It's out of the DVI boundry.

[thelakelander]

Noone, is this the building in question?  I can't think of anything else that would fit your description:



I don't know it's history and had no idea it was approved to be demolished but it was one of the last warehouses remaining in that area from the early 20th century.  The brick portion was constructed in 1915.  The concrete block addition was completed in 1965.  According to the property appraiser, the site was occupied by the Miller Machinery and Supply Company.

[Noone]

Lake, You are good!

Let's RECLAIM something. I don't care what it is. But this one is history gone.

[thelakelander]

A crying shame.

[simms3]

I've seen much more boring buildings end up as jaw dropping cool examples of rehab, so this one definitely had potential.  (Lake - any pictures of such examples?...I think there is even one in Springfield where that law office is, I have pics just not at my home comp)

I keep hearing people use the word "character" nowadays (way more than I used to).  I think it will be the next buzzword, and the modern version is equivalent to a place with old building stock (sort of a physical incarnation of the concepts of culture and history).  In NYC the city's older districts are still going strong.  20 years ago it was Soho.  10 years ago it was Chelsea.  Now it's DUMBO and Billyburg in Brooklyn.  Of course every other city is trying to imitate (even Charlotte with its South End, the hottest submarket in that city).

What can be done to prevent this?  I want new and modern things in Jax, and crap from the 50s and 60s could easily be torn down in my book, but every neighborhood is different and ultimately it seems to be on the onus of owners.  Where are the green firms and design firms in Jax?  Every similar building in [I dare not name the city] that would have been torn down is now some green engineering or architect's office, collaborative workspace, media firm's office, small law firm's office.  This is the kind of building they want to be in...it helps define their image!  Is there just a dearth of such firms in Jax?

Firms: if you are out there, start emailing letters to property owners saying that if they want to tear down, you'll buy the building for 5-10% more than it would cost to tear down + rental revenue owner would receive from surface parking.

[Noone]

Noone, is this the building in question?  I can't think of anything else that would fit your description:



I don't know it's history and had no idea it was approved to be demolished but it was one of the last warehouses remaining in that area from the early 20th century.  The brick portion was constructed in 1915.  The concrete block addition was completed in 1965.  According to the property appraiser, the site was occupied by the Miller Machinery and Supply Company.
E

Appears to be beautifully mothballed. All that's missing are the hearts.

[Sigsbee LeGrande]

In re: The Bostwick Building, I understand the importance of saving historic buildings. However, if the city government wants to infringe on the rights of a property owner to do with his or her property as they wish - and city government is seeking historic designation against the wishes of the property owner - the city should have to purchase the property at a fair market rate. It's no different than if the city wanted the property to build a road. It's called imminent domain, I believe.

[fieldafm]

However, if the city government wants to infringe on the rights of a property owner to do with his or her property as they wish

The property owner willfully neglected the property and has not paid the fines accrued for creating an unsafe structure.  That type of behavior is harmful to others.  Just because I own a car, doesnt mean I can abandon my car in the middle of the road with barrels of leaking acid in the trunk. 

[simms3]

In re: The Bostwick Building, I understand the importance of saving historic buildings. However, if the city government wants to infringe on the rights of a property owner to do with his or her property as they wish - and city government is seeking historic designation against the wishes of the property owner - the city should have to purchase the property at a fair market rate. It's no different than if the city wanted the property to build a road. It's called imminent domain, I believe.

True.

However, if the city government wants to infringe on the rights of a property owner to do with his or her property as they wish

The property owner willfully neglected the property and has not paid the fines accrued for creating an unsafe structure.  That type of behavior is harmful to others.  Just because I own a car, doesnt mean I can abandon my car in the middle of the road with barrels of leaking acid in the trunk. 

Also true.  Property owners have rights AND responsibilities.

[Sigsbee LeGrande]

Both are good points. But if the building is designated a local historic landmark, it cannot be demolished. Since there is no plan and no funds to rehabilitate it, does that mean the building will just fall into the street eventually? Could this be another Annie Lytle School situation?

[thelakelander]

It's not in danger of falling into the street and neither is the Annie Lytle.