Battle for the historic armory

[sheclown]

Well...I asked for it.

[strider]

Just remember, when you read a statement like "It's a Veteran's issue", it is exactly the same thing as saying it is a "white" issue or  "black" issue.  The purpose of saying it is to create the impression that one group is being unfairly treated and so you need to find in their favor. To make an informed decision about something, you need to get, well, informed yourself, and get past the hype. 

Let's look at this another way, if a group called the Sons of the Northern Conquerors was trying to get the Armory, what would you be saying?

[tufsu1]

What on earth do you mean with this whole 'race baiting' nonsense?

I'm pretty sure that was in reference to the Sons of the Confederacy / KKK analogy

[sheclown]

http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2011/02/11/once-again-racism-rears-up-in-the-sons-of-confederate-veterans/

[I-10east]

Change the name of Forrest High School (to Lynyrd Skynyrd High or whatever) then transfer that old NBF name to the Armory for the Sons of the Confederate Veterans. Viola, problem instantly solved!!! JK

[sheclown]

http://wreg.com/2013/02/20/the-naacp-and-the-sons-of-the-confederate-veterans-join-forces-against-the-kkk/

This is a compelling statement about the SCV position on the KKK.  I apologize for my previous post.

[BackinJax05]

I've always liked this old building, and hope it doesnt fall into decay as bad as Bostwick. When did the Recreation Department move out?

[sheclown]

Back...I think it has only been a couple of years.

Yes.  The building needs to be saved.

[JayBird]

Just a curiosity ... How does COJ determine these issues? I mean a $1 lease is great for something that will restore historic property and add something to the community. However couldn't they simply sell the property with some sort of caveat that it must be some sort of public use? I mean many of these old armories have been turned into privately owned or at least operated museums or concert venues. I guess what I'm getting at is how did COJ figure ROI before entertaining these two organizations?

Also, it seems the SCV had an inside lead, and once it was made public this artist group threw their hat in. Doesn't something like this, especially at only $1 lease, go to some type of bidding? Let all of the nonprofits in Jax bid for the space starting at $1/yr, then goes to highest bidder that meets city/area/neighborhood needs.

[thelakelander]

From what some of the articles have stated, SCV responded to an RFP for the property a while back and the artist group did not. With that said, I seriously doubt COJ has done any in depth studying concerning ROI for the property.

[JayBird]

With that said, I seriously doubt COJ has done any in depth studying concerning ROI for the property.

You would think that would be step 1 ... I mean isn't that the largest part of being a steward of community property? If it isn't policy, it should be!

[Tacachale]

^one would think.

[Noone]

With that said, I seriously doubt COJ has done any in depth studying concerning ROI for the property.

You would think that would be step 1 ... I mean isn't that the largest part of being a steward of community property? If it isn't policy, it should be!

Not in Jacksonville.^^
Let's remember the RAM dock is only open when RAM is open. Not good.
LPS- Let People Succeed
11/13/13 Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting and agenda item III Blue Way Designation REQUEST of St. Johns River Alliance. Back room deals. 11 other counties put forth a resolution. Not one or two or three or 5,6,7,8 but 11 other counties. Duval county was a BLANK. No Show. What is  positive about that?
Palms Fish Camp- A million bucks and you never even open the door.
PS4-Landlocked by a Foundation.
Still have an open contest for any MJ'er that posts a picture of the new Waterway signage that was never before Waterways. I'll treat you to Chopstick Charley's and we will use Uber or Super Uber.
Battle for the armory? How about all the city owned property that is on the other side of this creek? Let's give it away with zero Public Access.
Pick and choose the winners and losers.

Hogans Creek a tributary that flows and joins our St. Johns River our American Heritage River a FEDERAL Initiative in our new highly restricted DIA zone.

[sheclown]

from "The Artery" facebook page:

Today was a pretty tough day for us. We attended the Finance Committee meeting and the discussion about the ARTery lasted about 1 1/2 hr. Many issues were discussed. First there was an interest in pursuing an RFP process, but it was later revealed that there had been a Letter of Interest (LOI) issued in 2011 to which the Sons of the Confederate Veterans (SCV) were the only ones to respond. Although it hasn't been acted on the process was still valid, so reissuing an new RFP to include us would be setting a new precedent..

There are many that would also like us the share the space with the SCV.

There were also a number of issues raised about the RFP, RFI and LOI processes that should be fixed. A key concern was that there wasn't a qualification of respondents to ensure they could tackle this big a job.

In the end the vote was successful to move the bill out of the Finance Committee to the full Council, which meets Tuesday 12/10 at 5:00PM. That meeting will decide our fate.

https://www.facebook.com/theArteryJax

[CityLife]

I'd really be curious to know how well publicized the Letter of Interest (LOI) was back in 2011. I'd like to think I was fairly plugged into things in the area back at that time and didn't hear about it. Did anyone else?

The reality is that the LOI shouldn't decide who gets the building. It should have been used as a way to determine if the city could realistically expect to get bidders in the RFP process and what the city could expect to get back from the deal...basically it should have been used to help COJ tailor the RFP based on realistic possibilities. Now the city has at least 2 interested parties and the building has become well publicized. Wouldn't surprise me if others pursued the building if an RFP was issued.

I've got my own personal preference here and I'm sure others do as well on both sides. The fact of the matter though is that if the city gives this to the Sons of the Confederacy without issuing the RFP and giving others a fair chance, it is a backroom deal. That's not democracy and not how our city should work.