Possible buyer for Hayden Burns Library Downtown

[Dog Walker]

Let's hope this goes through!

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2013-03-22/story/jessie-ball-dupont-fund-wants-buy-haydon-burns-library-downtown

[DNAustin]

This would be fantastic!
Although I was hoping it would turn in to a Reading Terminal Market-style market like in Philly.
http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/

Maybe there's another location downtown that could house something like it.

[jcjohnpaint]

don't care as long as a dead block is activated again

[thelakelander]

This would be fantastic!
Although I was hoping it would turn in to a Reading Terminal Market-style market like in Philly.
http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/

Maybe there's another location downtown that could house something like it.

The Landing?

[Cheshire Cat]

Looks like there are several hoops to be jumped through yet.  Below I am posting a link to the foundation site themselves and what they have to say about the offer on the old library.  I think it is great that a potential use for the building has been found, but I have one question that I think is worth asking. If indeed site members here do think that some amount of planning should go into future efforts downtown, my question is will the Haydon Burns Library become another core effort that while doing good will also perhaps inadvertently add to the plethora of downtown efforts aimed towards the homeless population?  Now before folks go "hatin" on me for just asking the question, let me for the record say that I support charitable efforts and support helping the homeless.    In checking the DuPont site it appears that this building would be housing the offices for a number of non profits efforts,  so will we further be adding to the buildings housing help organizations in the core in a way that will impact the marketability of the core? Outside of those working in the building, how many patrons to local business would this effort bring.  Most people in need of assistance are not going to shop and eat dowtown.   Just a question, any thoughts?

http://www.dupontfund.org/

haydon-burns-library-jacksonville-fl

The Jessie Ball duPont Fund has signed an agreement to acquire the former Haydon Burns Library building in downtown Jacksonville and convert it into an office complex for philanthropic and nonprofit organizations.

“We are very excited about this opportunity,” said Sherry Magill, president of the Jessie Ball duPont Fund. “It has the potential to greatly benefit the nonprofit sector, invigorate downtown and enhance the legacy of Jessie Ball duPont, who cared so much about the nonprofit organizations in this community.”

Terms of the agreement are not being disclosed. The Jessie Ball duPont Fund will spend several months conducting a due diligence review and can withdraw from the purchase agreement for any reason during that period. The building currently is owned by a group of private investors.

As envisioned, the building would become home to the Jessie Ball duPont Fund as well as the offices of other local nonprofit organizations. How many and which nonprofits would be housed in the building has not yet been determined, pending the outcome of multiple analyses to be performed in the coming months. The building also would include common spaces that could be used for meetings and other gatherings.

The Jessie Ball duPont Fund has experience with multi-tenant nonprofit centers through its work in Wilmington, Delaware, where the Fund was a partner in establishing the Community Service Building in the 1990s. Today, 73 nonprofit organizations share space in the 12-story building in the heart of downtown Wilmington.

Many other communities have similar facilities. In Dallas, for example, the Meadows Foundation acquired 24 acres of land in a rundown historic district and has renovated the area and created an expansive campus of nonprofit organizations. Such projects often create new hubs of economic activity for their communities, as well as benefitting the tenants through stable rents and efficient use of space.

The Haydon Burns Library building was built in 1965 in a style known as “mid-century modern.” The three-story “fins” that surround the building make it a distinctive local landmark. The architect, Taylor Hardwick, also designed Friendship Fountain and many other Jacksonville buildings.

The building ceased functions as the city’s main library in 2005 when the downtown library on Hemming Plaza opened, providing more space and upgraded systems.

The Jessie Ball duPont Fund works to expand access and create opportunity through grants to more than 330 eligible organizations identified by Mrs. duPont in her will. The Fund has assets of more than $270 million and has awarded more than $329 million in grants since 1977

[JeffreyS]

I hope it does not become just a self contained office complex.  I hope there is some degree of street level activation. A shop or three and some sidewalk tables go a long way the more blocks that have them. 

[fsujax]

it will be a 9-5 Mon-Fri space. Dead on the weekends and evenings. Nothing like a Latitude 30 being on that corner.

[tpot]

Non profit offices and a day center for the homeless???

[Cheshire Cat]

I hope it does not become just a self contained office complex.  I hope there is some degree of street level activation. A shop or three and some sidewalk tables go a long way the more blocks that have them. 

This is part of what I am getting at JeffreyS.  While having the building in use is desirable, the use should be of some consideration.  One of the main sticking issues for downtown has been the homeless facilities, again, not judging the efforts but taking an unemotional look at how services impact the core.  If we add a greater emphasis to social services, is that going to translate to the type of activity needed to strengthen and grow the core?   Certainly the employees working there would be a help but what of the clients?   The original ideas for the structure were exciting, the possible specialty grocer and shops etc.  This puts activity in the building but does not speak to creating excitement, shopping or interesting venues downtown. 

[thelakelander]

For anyone concerned about the proposed use, this quote provides a direction for additional research:

The Jessie Ball duPont Fund has experience with multi-tenant nonprofit centers through its work in Wilmington, Delaware, where the Fund was a partner in establishing the Community Service Building in the 1990s. Today, 73 nonprofit organizations share space in the 12-story building in the heart of downtown Wilmington.

Many other communities have similar facilities. In Dallas, for example, the Meadows Foundation acquired 24 acres of land in a rundown historic district and has renovated the area and created an expansive campus of nonprofit organizations.Such projects often create new hubs of economic activity for their communities, as well as benefitting the tenants through stable rents and efficient use of space.

What type of street level scene exists around Wilmington's Community Service Building and Meadows Foundation's properties in Dallas? Whatever they are, is probably what this use will end up resembling.

[Cheshire Cat]

For anyone concerned about the proposed use, this quote provides a direction for additional research:

The Jessie Ball duPont Fund has experience with multi-tenant nonprofit centers through its work in Wilmington, Delaware, where the Fund was a partner in establishing the Community Service Building in the 1990s. Today, 73 nonprofit organizations share space in the 12-story building in the heart of downtown Wilmington.

Many other communities have similar facilities. In Dallas, for example, the Meadows Foundation acquired 24 acres of land in a rundown historic district and has renovated the area and created an expansive campus of nonprofit organizations.Such projects often create new hubs of economic activity for their communities, as well as benefitting the tenants through stable rents and efficient use of space.

What type of street level scene exists around Wilmington's Community Service Building and Meadows Foundation's properties in Dallas? Whatever they are, is probably what this use will end up resembling.

How can we find out Ennis? 

[thelakelander]

Google street view on Google Maps or Google Earth would be a good start.  All you need is the address.  In the Wilmington case, which I'm pulling up now, the address is:

100 W 10th St # 201, Wilmington, DE 19801

building's website: http://www.csbcorp.org/

[thelakelander]

Here's the Wilmington building on the left.  The building on the right is Dupont's headquarters. It appears to have a Wachovia (probably Wells Fargo now) branch at street level with non-profits occupying upper level spaces. 



Considering the declining occupancy rates of many downtown office towers, this is a good way to fill large amounts of spaces that single companies may no longer need.

[Cheshire Cat]

Wow, you guys are awesome, ask and ye shall receive. lol  The Google view that Stephen found seems to be showing a structure in a place not particularly vibrant as far as what we might look for downtown.  The cbscorp link shows a listing for many fine organizations in a much larger building.  I don't see anything among the names that speaks to any type of retail activity on the first floor.  So it would appear we are looking at an office complex taking up the entire library building which is only a few floors to begin with.  It would be nice if some space on the ground floor could be carved out for a restaurant or retail space.  There must be something in the non profit community that would work, like a retail oriented restaurant in tandem with Clara White mission, on the order of what the Potters house offers which could create activity during the week and on the weekend.  Perhaps even claiming some traffic customer from FBC and other core churches on Sunday.  Thoughts?  Taking a look now at the other photo's posted by Ennis.

[thelakelander]

For anyone concerned about the proposed use, this quote provides a direction for additional research:

The Jessie Ball duPont Fund has experience with multi-tenant nonprofit centers through its work in Wilmington, Delaware, where the Fund was a partner in establishing the Community Service Building in the 1990s. Today, 73 nonprofit organizations share space in the 12-story building in the heart of downtown Wilmington.

Many other communities have similar facilities. In Dallas, for example, the Meadows Foundation acquired 24 acres of land in a rundown historic district and has renovated the area and created an expansive campus of nonprofit organizations.Such projects often create new hubs of economic activity for their communities, as well as benefitting the tenants through stable rents and efficient use of space.

What type of street level scene exists around Wilmington's Community Service Building and Meadows Foundation's properties in Dallas? Whatever they are, is probably what this use will end up resembling.

How can we find out Ennis?

Here you go.  The Meadows Foundation is marked by the red tab.

I see a ton of new infill housing units in this overall aerial.  Let me dig into this one on Google Earth.