Ten Historic Springfield Demolitions

[Metro Jacksonville]

Ten Historic Springfield Demolitions



Kimberly Scott, the director of Code Enforcement for the City of Jacksonville, has been accused of wanton destruction of the historic fabric of the City's oldest neighborhood.  Although Code Enforcement is not the cause of all the demolitions, the losses to this single neighborhood over the past few years have been shocking.  Which is why all the hubbub Here are ten of Springfield structures that were demolished that could have been saved and restored.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2013-jun-ten-historic-springfield-demolitions

[mbwright]

It was still a demo that was allowed in an Historic district.  It should be almost impossible to do without cause. Someone still approved it.

[ChriswUfGator]

Well, when we asked that exact question, we were told that COJ's HPC has always approved COA's for the city without question. Basically a rubber-stamp with no check and balance, which defeats the entire purpose of the HPC.

[avs]

Kim Scott MUST GO!!!

[JaxUnicorn]

Hmmm, my comment is not appearing in the forum, so I'll add it here:

While I agree that Kimberly Scott is responsible for the majority of the historic Springfield demolitions, she is not responsible for the 4th one pictured. That was unfortunately an owner-requested demolition. Just trying to keep things straight and tell the truth.

I agree with you mbwright, demolitions should be next to impossible in a historic district.  And avs, I've been saying that for a while now. 

[sheclown]

save the houses

[Noone]

save the houses

+1 and Public Access and economic opportunity to our St. Johns River our American Heritage River a FEDERAL Initiative throughout  Duval county.

[chris farley]

But those photos are 28 years old.  If you wish to go after someone it needs to be done fairly.   
And I agree with save the houses.

[m74reeves]

save the houses

+INFINITY.

and noone, you're right about the St. Johns. Did you know that the National Historic Trust has the James River on America's 11 most endangered places list?

http://www.preservationnation.org/issues/11-most-endangered/

We all need to be embracing these treasures that make our community unique.

[JaxUnicorn]

But those photos are 28 years old.  If you wish to go after someone it needs to be done fairly.   
And I agree with save the houses.

It doesnt matter when the photos were taken, Chris.

They were there, and now they arent.

Stephen, I agree the houses were there and now they are not.  However, Chris makes a good point.  Some of the photos are very old and do not depict the status of the structure when MCCD demolished it.  They are excellent references to what COULD be done to RESTORE the homes.

I think MCCD's take (and others I suspect) is that these houses have deteriorated to the point that they are unsafe.  Some of them could be classified as "ugly" at the time of demolition.  None of that matters because someone could bring that HISTORIC structure back to glory if allowed.  Just because something is deemed "ugly" does not mean it should be destroyed!    Heck, people get plastic surgery all the time to be "prettier".  How about MCCD allow those of us willing to do it give these old gals a much deserved face lift!! 

SAVE THE HOUSES!  EVERY LAST ONE OF THEM!

[thelakelander]

I was saving these for a future article and I'll probably still use them but they seem appropriate for this thread.  Since we created this site, we've taken thousands of images of our urban neighborhoods.  Going back through the archives, it's disheartening to see what has been lost.  Although, the Springfield buildings in these images came down for different reasons, it doesn't change the fact that they are now gone.

[JaxUnicorn]

Great points Unicorn.  The article is actually meant to just document the scale of the losses, perhaps I should go back and make that a bit clearer.  Ive already edited the opening a bit to make that a little more clear.

Thanks Stephen.  I think that would be a great idea. 

[m74reeves]

i feel sick looking at these pictures. 

[thelakelander]

They are a vivid reminder of how dense and mixed-use Springfield was at one point.  Unfortunately, I have a lot more from downtown and neighborhoods like Durkeeville, Brooklyn, LaVilla and the Eastside, which aren't "protected" with a historic district designation.  All taken since 2006 or so.

Nevertheless, in the case of Springfield, they help me understand the struggles that 8th & Main Streets both face.  You have two commercial corridors that were developed to support a much larger population than what exists today.  These districts will continue to struggle without an increase in density to support them.

[sheclown]

and yet we spend valuable historic department time and energy on landscaping and ATM placement as if we didn't have a preservation crisis on our hands.