Durkeeville 100 year old house in danger of demolition

[movedsouth]

I think strider is on to something. The city isn't going to change its ways until the threat of a lawsuit due to demolishing a house is greater then the threat of a lawsuit for not demolishing it.

[sheclown]

Additionally, we need to rethink contributing versus noncontributing in regards to historic preservation.  And rethink historic boundaries being the criteria of what is worth saving and what is not.

A 100 year old house is worth saving whether it is in Riverside or Durkeville, New Springfield or Arlington-- for so many reasons, but not the least of which is that-- they don't make them like that anymore.

[sheclown]

The request for landmarking this structure will go before HPC tomorrow afternoon.  Psos will be there to support this effort to save an important piece of history  --  not only the house but the folk art as well. Durkeville needs protection. Lets start with this

[sheclown]

Being heard right now. Stand by for update

[sheclown]

Declared a potential landmark and saved.

[thelakelander]

Nice!

[sheclown]

http://amandasearle.wordpress.com/2013/05/28/will-you-join-the-fight-to-preserve-intown-jacksonville/

[Debbie Thompson]

Amanda rocks.  Who's with us?

[sheclown]

Lynette puts out the sign, hopeful that the Historic Planning Commission will vote to recommend landmark status for her Grandma's house.

PSOS was there today helping Lynette clean out the debris scattered by vandals.

[sheclown]

Urban core CPAC voted tonight in support of the landmarking of this house

[sheclown]

Whike I have not asked the sisters about their financial resources. I know at this particular moment they do not have money to renovate. Thanks to a generous donor, funds are available to mothball

In three years time they will need to raise enough money to begin the renovation process or perhaps sell the house to people with the resources

But the house is the house and its importance transcends its current owners (although their story is compelling)

Mothballing secures it,  makes it safe, makes it attractive and qualifies it for tax credits. All of this is important while we sort out its future

[civil42806]

Lynette puts out the sign, hopeful that the Historic Planning Commission will vote to recommend landmark status for her Grandma's house.

PSOS was there today helping Lynette clean out the debris scattered by vandals.

Not to be a bad guy here, but if the sisters were so concerned about the property, why in the world did they allow it to deteriorate to this degree?

[sheclown]

civil, your question is a valid one and I have two responses.

1.) They shouldn't have.  But there are a wide variety of life reasons why people end up not able to take care of things, some are in their control, others are not. 

2.) This story is about the larger issue of Durkeeville and its importance to Jacksonville.  This house is a small snap shot of a time when a black man could only build his wife a house in a few neighborhoods in the city.  This neighborhood represented pride and accomplishment to those men and the hand carved trim throughout (what remains) poignantly illustrates the pride that was once Durkeeville.

What also makes this home special is that unlike many houses, it has not undergone any "improvements" no popcorn drywalled ceilings, no upgraded bathrooms, very few changes from when it was built.  In fact, the wallpaper is still on the walls.

hand-carved baseboard and basecap -- reflection of Grandpa's fingerprints

Will the sisters be able to take it from its mothballed condition, renovate it and bring it back to life? 

I don't know. 

But I know the alternative is that Jacksonville loses a significant reminder of its proud past.

[mbwright]

Certainly better to mothball, than demolish, which gives absolutely no hope for the house being restored.  Best of luck, and thanks to all that are making this possible.

[sheclown]

The house is cleaned out (except a few items that the sisters want to save).  The dumpster is full and hauled away.  We are ready for our inspection with the historic planning department to determine its suitability for landmarking.

The sisters had their day in court this afternoon (remember, it is posted earlier in this thread).  They had filed an injunction and the city filed a motion to dismiss.  The judge recused himself after hearing both sides -- apparently he knew the sisters or had heard a case regarding their property earlier.  (They don't remember that, but also don't look a gift horse in the mouth).

I will still need to do some investigating to determine what is to be done about a settling issue where the main house meets the back porch.  We work with a wonderful architect who will be cajoled into helping us, probably on the sailboat when he is nice and relaxed.

So, onward and forward!  Let's see what we can do.

Anyone know about folk art out there?  We would love to get an expert's opinion.