Jacksonville's Next Historic District: Brooklyn?

[jaxbeachguy]

Just so we're clear here what you are wanting to preserve is the architecture and structures (which is fine I guess).  No one wanting to save these places actually gives a hoot about the people who live(d) there.  It's all just potential backdrop for restaurants ans coffee shops.

You aren't alone, crystal ball eyes guy.

A group of folks got together and said, "Hey, these old buildings are worth saving."  Regardless of the reason, the market seems to be out-of-step with their assessment.

It's called gentrification.   I'd love nothing more than to see those lots razed and rebuilt, bringing in new people to the community, and new revenue to the city.  The new construction can certainly give a nod to the past.

[xian1118]

There is no way these residential structures could be attract $ for renovations. A better plan would be to rebuild new structures with the same architecture and style. The problem with some of the commercial structures on Park Street is density. Who wouldn't want two-story along Park Street? Improving that area would increase property values > improve the quality of services around the area.

[strider]

Just so we're clear here what you are wanting to preserve is the architecture and structures (which is fine I guess).  No one wanting to save these places actually gives a hoot about the people who live(d) there.  It's all just potential backdrop for restaurants ans coffee shops.

You aren't alone, crystal ball eyes guy.

A group of folks got together and said, "Hey, these old buildings are worth saving."  Regardless of the reason, the market seems to be out-of-step with their assessment.

It's called gentrification.   I'd love nothing more than to see those lots razed and rebuilt, bringing in new people to the community, and new revenue to the city.  The new construction can certainly give a nod to the past.

There is no way these residential structures could be attract $ for renovations. A better plan would be to rebuild new structures with the same architecture and style. The problem with some of the commercial structures on Park Street is density. Who wouldn't want two-story along Park Street? Improving that area would increase property values > improve the quality of services around the area.

The reason we have historic districts is to preserve a type of housing style that is not built today.  By doing so, you also give a nod to the people who built them and lived in them.  How they were built, how the residents lived is an important part of the reason we are trying to preserve the historic structures.  New construction should not try to mimic the old but rather set the standard for today so that in 100 years, that 2013 house is the historic house being preserved.  No, not all structures should be preserved but certainly when only a few remain, perhaps it is past time to at least consider their preservation.  Of course, today's financial reality is that people "need" master baths and new modern kitchens so that to preserve the old we often must make them at least partly new.  But that is also the reason to save what is there and restore it rather than tear it down and try to duplicate it.  Some of the old must remain or why bother at all?

[sheclown]

Love that the commissioners and Joel and doing this.

[JeffreyS]

Razed and Rebuilt ha ha in Jax he he   Sometimes posters without a clue are so funny.

Existing building stock makes it much more likely to have ecconomic activity in the area. Basing an ecconomy around new construction to any large extent is fools gold it's the reason sprawl doesn't work.

[tufsu1]

^ great video avatar Jeffrey...Touchdown Warrick Dunn!

[thelakelander]

I really don't know how any outsider could be opposed to an attempt to save two blocks of century old structures in the westside of Brooklyn.  This doesn't limit the possibility of new infill.  Seriously, most of the neighborhood is overgrown lots.  If the area is successfully brought back to life, it would be an environment that would offer a mix of old and new. An authentic setting we have very little of in Jax.

[iloveionia]

gentrification?
Uh, preservation.
Too much has been lost in Jax.
Big plans that failed leaving overgrown empty lots.
I applaud this effort.
(Like that's a surprise.)

[DDC]

Of this 2.5 block area, how many owners are there? Dozens? Ten? A hundred? Don't know why i am asking. One of my " if I win the lottery" ideas. Is this too outside of the box for an entity to develop/restore this area with infill, attractions, parks, museum, Bed and Breakfasts....?

[Redbaron616]

All historic districts do is take control of other people's property and telling them exactly how to keep it. Maybe we should make the whole city an historic area and as of today, no changes can be made. Everything must stay the way it is. Why not? It is silly to call one area historic, while allowing other areas to be bulldozed. At least shoot for consistency.

[thelakelander]

Zoning pretty much controls what you can and can't do with your property. Houston is the closest city I can think of where you can go to have everything your way.

[grimss]

Great article. This area needs new life.

[thelakelander]

Thanks grimss!

[Ocklawaha]

All historic districts do is take control of other people's property and telling them exactly how to keep it. Maybe we should make the whole city an historic area and as of today, no changes can be made. Everything must stay the way it is. Why not? It is silly to call one area historic, while allowing other areas to be bulldozed. At least shoot for consistency.

So you see equal nostalgic attraction, one of the largest drivers of tourism, in the BOA tower and the JACKSONVILLE TERMINAL? They should have never allowed LaVilla, Brooklyn or Fairfield to be bulldozed... and drawing that half circle around the downtown core, the next and only surviving targets would be East Side and Springfield. I'd love to show you that 29 tracks in the old Terminal, tell you where Roosevelt detrained and walk you all through the streetcar barn, we could finish the night over at the hall where Ray Charles first played... Oh wait, this is Jacksonville and a great portion of it is gone.

[wordswithenemies]

Does anyone else cringe when they hear people talking about "Brooklyn" in Jacksonville  just because it draws comparison to "other" Brooklyn in NYC?