Historic Bostwick Building Demolition Meeting Tonight

[urbaknight]

Boyer and Jones are the only decent ones that I know of in the group. Don't know enough about Carter. But Redman, Gulliford and Shellenberg are some of our most anti urban council members we have! Not very optimistic about this I'm afraid.

[mbwright]

I am glad to see that the Historic department is working on issues like this.  I don't think that was how it has been historically. 
One concern I have is how Historic Districts are defined, and enforced.  Springfield is Historic, but demos, until recently were encouraged and fast tracked, often without any comment, or consideration of the whole neighborhood.  It's great that Preservation SOS and others are working to change this.  There is a fine line between keeping a neighborhood in check, and trampling property rights.  I do feel that if you do have a historic property, you really have an obligation to maintain it, and not butcher it.  Restoration and integrity are key.  I grew up in a historic neighborhood, but it seems each is defined differently, and each designation (Historic, Landmark, etc) means different things, often significant.  Just because it is 'historic' does not mean demo is not legal.  I think there needs to be some sort of standard, at least within a city, or area.

[JFman00]

I'm against designating historic districts wholesale as it seems to create fantasylands where not only buildings can't be changed, the neighborhood perceived historical character can't change either. I'll never understand the appeal or rationale behind forcing new construction (that doesn't involve demolition) having to fit some predetermined architectural style. Form-based zoning is one thing, but to me a 2005 building designed to look like it's from 1925 is just as artificial and unappealing whether it's built in a historic district or exurb.

[BIG CHEESE 723]

I uderstand that the owners feel they have an albatross around their neck.  Howevr, they have an offerTake the damn money and run.
Let the building have new llife. 

[BackinJax05]

^^ Yes. $150,000 might be "pennies on the dollar", however they'll be done with the building and it will be Preston Haskell's headache.

Then, maybe, this building from the past can have a future.

[Dog Walker]

Let's see.  They want $350,000 for the building and land.  The land is appraised at less than $80,000.....and they want to tear the building down?  Kinked thinking!

Sell the building to Haskell, people!

[Ocklawaha]

Oh damn! Has I-10 East weighed in on this? Which way will it go?  MJ is trashing Jacksonville because some of it's readers want to save a very historic building? OR? MJ is trashing Jacksonville because some of it's readers wish to leave the fate of the building to the owners?

[BackinJax05]

^^ ROTFLMAO!! 

[sheclown]

If they want to hear from the public, I say, let's give them the opportunity.

[tufsu1]

The land is appraised at less than $80,000

well that's a steal given the prominent corner the property is on

[thelakelander]

Not once you realize how small the lot size is and all the challenges you must overcome to put a brand new building on it. The Bostwicks should take Haskell's money and run.

[bornnative]

The owners keep saying that saving the building is not economically feasible.

I would argue that it depends entirely on your personal economics.  Read: Haskell.

[If_I_Loved_you]

Preston is up.  Stately, elegant, genteel.

He has inspected the building with the chief engineer of the Haskel Corporation, he is detailing exactly how he would restore and support the building 'If I had the opportunity to rescue the building".

You can tell that every single member of the Committee is paying attention.

He forgot to say his address?

[Josh]

Jessie Ray Norton

"mustve been a hell of building at one time, from all the fuss thats made about it."

"What this city needs is jobs.  Demolishing the building would create jobs."

I think that if we pass the resolution to destroy this building, think about the jobs that its going to create"

Wow. Just wow. I'd be too embarrassed to answer this truthfully.

[blfair]

Jessie Ray Norton

"mustve been a hell of building at one time, from all the fuss thats made about it."

"What this city needs is jobs.  Demolishing the building would create jobs."

I think that if we pass the resolution to destroy this building, think about the jobs that its going to create"

Wow. Just wow. I'd be too embarrassed to answer this truthfully.

Are you suggesting that demolishing buildings isn't a good long term jobs program?!