"Emergency" Demolition in Springfield

[sheclown]

I drove by the lot today and saw Beverly outside looking at where her house used to be.  She told me that she knew the neighborhood had lost patience with her for taking so long to fix up her house, but she also said that the material to brace the front porch was on site and just waiting to be put up. 

She also said that she had no idea it was happening so quickly.

"Your house belongs to the demo contractor now" is what Prado told her when she asked if she could at least save the columns. 

[nomeus]

im all for preservation and all that but judging by these photos, i have to say you cant be that upset about someone coming in and taking over. it looked to be more of a safety hazard and a nuisance more than anything. how long had it been vacant? 

[bill]

Agreed and she had no problem getting a loan for 30k more than she paid for the house.

[Debbie Thompson]

We have to remember this.  When we berate an owner about not saving the house, we have to remember we have made the house pay the price.  MCCD could have braced the porch and put a lien on the property.  Or they could have removed that one piece.  That's what they used to do.  This house was sound.  It did NOT have to come down.  So fine, get mad at the owner.  We still lost a house WHEN THERE WAS NO NEED TO. 

Save our history.  Save the houses.

[bill]

City started fining three years ago

[Debbie Thompson]

So?  That's meaningless.

[JaxUnicorn]

I was onsite when the demolition was happening and was the one who recorded it.  I asked the demo contractor, Grady, if I could at least take the columns to save them and he said yes, he would ask the bulldozer operator to just push them aside.  He then walked over to the bulldozer operator and to tell him to do that.  When I returned to the site a couple of hours later, I approached the bulldozer operator when he came out of the machine and he started yelling at me and saying "You're nothing but a moron!  I know what you want and I'll be damned if you get them!!"  He proceeded to continue to call me names and said he was not going to let me take the columns because I ran up onto the property earlier in an effort to prevent the demolition.  This man was mean, nasty and rude and then proceeded to pick up the columns and put them in the dumpster truck right in front of me.  I almost cried...and also refused to tell me to which landfill they take the refuge.  I tried to save the columns...I really did... 

[nomeus]

So?  That's meaningless.

how is this meaningless? it shows that the owner neglected their responsibilities. probably bit off more than they could chew, thus the end result. people renovate and restore every day without city/county stepping in and demolishing. obviously that wasnt the case here so lets just be realistic and honest.

[JaxUnicorn]

So?  That's meaningless.

Sure it has meaning. If you can't convince someone, who has the materials on site, to put some 2x4's up to brace a porch in a 3 year time frame then you are going to have a very hard time convincing the City to save the house.

The problem here is that this house is located in a Nationally recognized Historic District.  There should be no "convincing" the City to save the house required.  They are bound by rules, regulations and law to PRESERVE structures located in historic districts, not DESTROY them!  The City of Jacksonville blatently ignored their obligation to preserve this home, regardless of whether the owner did anything or not.

[JaxUnicorn]

So?  That's meaningless.

Sure it has meaning. If you can't convince someone, who has the materials on site, to put some 2x4's up to brace a porch in a 3 year time frame then you are going to have a very hard time convincing the City to save the house.

The problem here is that this house is located in a Nationally recognized Historic District.  There should be no "convincing" the City to save the house required.  They are bound by rules, regulations and law to PRESERVE structures located in historic districts, not DESTROY them!  The City of Jacksonville blatently ignored their obligation to preserve this home, regardless of whether the owner did anything or not.

Are you saying the City broke the law?

Yes, that's exactly what I am saying.

[JaxUnicorn]

So?  That's meaningless.

Sure it has meaning. If you can't convince someone, who has the materials on site, to put some 2x4's up to brace a porch in a 3 year time frame then you are going to have a very hard time convincing the City to save the house.

The problem here is that this house is located in a Nationally recognized Historic District.  There should be no "convincing" the City to save the house required.  They are bound by rules, regulations and law to PRESERVE structures located in historic districts, not DESTROY them!  The City of Jacksonville blatently ignored their obligation to preserve this home, regardless of whether the owner did anything or not.

Are you saying the City broke the law?

Yes, that's exactly what I am saying.

Ok, if none of you guys will do it then, I will email Ken Amaro for you tonight. We can have this in front of all of Jax in a week and we can get this woman at MCCD fired and some heads should roll at city hall, the Mayor will be embarrassed and that should end illegal demolitions. Don't know why you guys have waited for me to take care of this.

I'm relying on you here though, as I have owned and renovated historic homes, I'm not versed in the Laws regarding demolition of them.

Apache, that would be fantastic!  I'll be more than happy to provide you with any information you may need.

[JaxUnicorn]

Apache,

Thanks for sending a fantastic email!  There are a couple of issues with your details, but those can be clarified if/when Ken Amaro responds.  FWIW, I brought this issue up at Tuesday's City Council meeting and Councilwoman Kimberly Daniels called me to the greenroom to discuss further. 

[m74reeves]

Good job. There should be more publicity about this and the Durkeeville home.  The City should be embarrassed by this and be looking at ways where they can be more of a help in Springfield redevelopment.

Tearing down structures should not be the first response.

[mbwright]

Any response from Ken? 
Any way to sue the city for this?

[sheclown]

not to be confused with the other emergency demolition of a house on 2nd street which happened today, the pictures I will be putting on line are for this one.

The owner had pictures taken earlier and has sent them to me.



This is work done on the inside to stabilize it.