A Southern Music Hall of Fame in Jacksonville?

[Timkin]

So sad nothing was done with this buikding before it deteriorated so badly.

Hugh

unfortunately it is the norm not the exception

In this situation it was the owner that let it fall in despair though. Either way, sad situation.

It is one of many allowed to fall into that degree of disrepair.   Myself and volunteers are trying to turn the course on the Annie Lytle, one of the listed endangered buildings..an appx 45,000 square foot Schoolhouse.  Over the last 4 months , an awesome group of volunteers have gone to great lengths to clean up the exterior of the School's yard and we are beginning to address the interior.  So while I don't think this building would be a consideration for the Southern Music Hall of fame,  we are doing these efforts with the hope that we can bring the building to a state where someone , like a group like yours,  or some purpose , such as Diane has suggested,  an Inn and restaurant, Ock's proposal of a TOD / mixed use development,  a private School or College, or whatever we can come up with will have a building that is ready for the remedial work to put back in use. We are getting rid of the debris and decay.

I hope this proposal, wherever it is decided, becomes a reality.  It would be such a great destination venue for Jacksonville.

[hughsimpson]

I would think that the most important thing now is to settle on the BEST location that offers the least amount of renovation and has the least negatives. It would seem to two most viable ones would be the Snyder Memorial Church or the Armory. Would that be a correct assumption? Which one between these two is most viable?

Hugh

[Rynjny]

I think the Snyder Church would be the better choice since it's located right in the middle of downtown.

[thelakelander]

The Snyder or space within the Florida Theatre building would probably be more move in ready. However, the armory offers more space and on-site free parking.

[sheclown]

I think we need to get inside and take photos, check it out, begin dialogue with the city. 

This is going to be a long process.

As an initial response, I think the armory is best suited for this.  We can tie into the Main Street Cruise.  But any historic structure downtown could work. 

[hughsimpson]

I agree with Gloria and yes it could take awhile; however if there was a traveling exhibit as I have suggested that could get great advance publicity for the Southern Music Hall of Fame.

Hugh

[hughsimpson]

As Stephen suggested I will let you all work on best site selection and I will just be avail for any questions you may have:-)

Hugh

[hughsimpson]

By the way my email is hughmsimpson@gmail.com and cell is 404-561-0865.

Thanks!

Hugh

[thelakelander]

While at Chamblins this morning, I noticed a wedding party taking pictures in front of Snyder Memorial.





Snyder and Hemming Plaza during the Jazz Festival









I have some interior images of the Florida Theatre that I'll have to find but I've never been inside Old Stanton or the Armory.

[hughsimpson]

Thanks for these photos! 

Hugh

[sheclown]

Info on the Armory:



Still waiting to get inside for some photos.

[hughsimpson]

Just from own non expert point of view this amount seems pretty large at the current stage of SMHF. Think renovation of Synder would be considerably less?

[thelakelander]

Most likely.  Snyder is 12,000 square feet and is occasionally used for special events now.  In the event of a music festival, Hemming Plaza, which also has an area for a stage, is directly across Monroe Street.

[Charles Hunter]

Is there more to Snyder than the performance space and the adjacent room, that opens into it?  Is that 12,000 square feet?

[thelakelander]

According to the property appraiser, Snyder's gross floor area is 12,337 square feet.  12,047 square feet of that total is heated.

http://apps.coj.net/PAO_PropertySearch/Basic/Detail.aspx?RE=0737500000