Battle for the historic armory

[sheclown]

sheclown messing this thread up with a bunch of anti-SCV rhetoric is really annoying

wow.  I didn't really think I had that much power. 

[sheclown]

I think a striking example of the inept process is Intuition's interest in the real estate on Forest. An established local company wanting to redevelop an ash site/park .... and yet we all wait ....

I know the DIA has specifically advertised for at least two positions dealing with the re-purposing of city real property and fostering development downtown ... hopefully this leads to some type of a change in an obviously broken process.

Maybe, the Artery could take this level of interest and the hidden cache of money and redevelop School No. 4. It seems with the old classrooms that it would be perfect for their intended use ...

Tarpon owns it right now.  The city could foreclose on the rolling fines like Bostwick.

Is the school inside the downtown area and eligible for some of that preservation money?  How much is in that pot of gold anyway?

[icarus]

COJ could foreclose on the fines on Annie Lytle but I would take it a step further. 

The Trust's segregation of the school building from the surrounding property was a structured transaction (fraudulent conveyance-statute of frauds) to avoid legal liability for the fines and taxes on the building. I'd push to foreclose on all of the adjacent property owned by the Trust as well under that theory. I tend to be aggressive though.

If designated as a historic building, there is also the possibility of obtaining tax credits for the restoration which could be sold to help fund the restoration.

That location makes much more sense for an arts program than the Armory.

[sheclown]

How big is that school ?

Hie much land is around it ?

[vicupstate]

I too question the ability of both who are currently in the running for it, as the few numbers thrown around have been in the $2-5M arena.

Sage advise considering the city's record in the past (ie that Horse arena at Cecil Field and the LaVilla property that a fraternity was suppose to renovate.

[dougskiles]

How big is that school ?

Hie much land is around it ?

I don't know the exact SF but it feels HUGE.  Two stories of thick concrete walls and roof.  Once inside, you would never know that an interstate highway runs over it.  The old auditorium lost its roof to the fire but the side walls and stage remain.  Great location for outdoor theater.  Send a PM to dogwalker and I'm sure he would give you a tour.  He has legal permission to enter the building along with a few others.

It isn't considered part of downtown and I doubt DIA intends to spend money for this type of thing regardless.

[thelakelander]

It falls within the border of the area deemed as downtown by the former JEDC. However, I doubt they'd throw any money its way, since it's on the fringe.  I also don't think there's much money they can toss around on the projects that want in the Northbank anyway.

[sheclown]

Who is "they" and what is the criteria ?

[Noone]

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.

+100

+$1,000,000 and that is the amount that we will be giving the guys with PALMS FISH CAMP and they never even opened the door. This is a total Backroom deal and the absolute crushing of the PUBLIC TRUST.

Planning a RICO paddle on Hogans Creek a tributary that leads to our St. Johns River our American Heritage River a FEDERAL, FEDERAL, FEDERAL Initiative in our new highly restricted DIA zone. This is Pre Aundra Wallace. Paul Astleford is a superhero. Ben- JCCI remember during the River Dance study "Putting the River in River City" and taking the yacht on the St. johns River? let's put the kayak in ASAP. You can't have more of a Backroom deal if an amendment is not attached for 24/7 Public Access to Hogans Creek.

Governor Scott- Please help!
Charlie C, Chopstick C- Please help!

HUGE DIA meeting tomorrow at 4pm in the first floor of the Ed Ball Building. Bring your egg nogg.

[John P]

Only in Jacksonville would the city give a building to confederate musuem that only needs a fourth of the building over a group of arts organizations that would use all the building. When was the last time a confederate musuem raised millions of dollars to renovate a space or played a part in the renewal of the downtown neighborhood. There are too many exmaples of arts groups doing this around the country to list. This looks like a no brainer What am I missing here?

[fieldafm]

You're missing the point that Kim Daniels is trying to cajole votes from the kind of fanatical groups that put her in power.

[CityLife]

Looks like Gulliford isn't happy with the process either

the council will face opposition not just from other groups who want the building, but from some who think the entire process is flawed.

One of them is City Council President Bill Gulliford.

He's not taking sides as to who gets to use the building, or for what purpose, but said he objects to the process that the city is going through to make a decision. The Armory, which has a basement and first and second floors, needs extensive renovations, which the city has estimated would cost about $9 million. He is concerned that the Sons of Confederate Veterans Kirby-Smith Camp 1209 will not be able to raise the initial $2.4 million they have pledged to raise for necessary repairs, and that the deteriorating building will remain empty, which would be bad for the city.

"I don't think this is being done in the right way," Gulliford said. Anyone who has a proposal for use of the building should be able to present it, to make sure the city gets the best deal, he said. At this point, he's not "keen on the deal" with the Sons group, because they have not raised any money yet, and so "don't have any skin in the game," he said

http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2013/12/09/armory-leasing-process-called-into.html

[Bill Hoff]

Here's a great guest column about the issue:

"As a Realtor for more than 20 years, I have to say that the process of how the city of Jacksonville utilizes its assets/properties, is mind-boggling.

If I were to list the home of a city official and only tell a few of my friends that it was for sale, how would the seller have any confidence that the contract I end up bringing them is the best one?

That is much how I've discovered it works with city-owned properties. There is no easy way for a consumer/business/non-profit organization to find out what properties the city owns and has available for sale or lease.

Which brings us to the Armory. I have no idea if either the proposal from the Sons of the Confederacy or the proposal by The Artery is a good deal for the city and the neighborhood, much less whether it's the best one, because it's been kept a quasi-secret.

There could be other groups in the city or even outside the city looking for a space like this but have no idea it exists. Without a way to make that information public, the city is always marketing its assets as though they are "pocket listings."

But let's assume the word is out. The property has been exposed to the market and you now have two proposals on the table. Both have merits, as these do.

It would still be a bad decision to enter into a lease with either one without some very concrete plans by that entity of how they intend to pay for the improvements necessary to utilize the building and the timetable for doing so.

If I was the Realtor, I would want written assurance in the form of a performance bond that the entity leasing the property has some "skin in the game."

The city should not be leasing the property to any organization with no funding or wherewithal to get the work done and operate. If it's to be done by the organization's members then that needs to be spelled out in detail.

Let's look at the current entities that are proposing to lease. The financial wherewithal could end up being equal on each, so then the question is not which one got proposed first, but which one offers a greater benefit to the neighborhood and the community at large.

An arts-related group has a broader appeal and greater reach than one devoted to Southern military history. I don't have anything against that group, and in fact my grandfather (yes, I'm that old) fought in the Civil War for the South. But does an organization that has never had a facility before actually have a plan to utilize a 60,000 square foot building?

I see no reason to rush to a decision. The council first needs assurances that the property has been exposed to the open market in such a way as to feel confident they have reached any potential tenants. Then, any entity with a proposal should also put forth specific plans for renovation, budgets and timetables. There should be consequences if they are not met, including the termination of the lease and the forfeit of the performance bond.

Then the merits of the organization's relationship to the community and what it can do for the city should become the final decision-making point.

As a resident of Historic Springfield I'd love to see this property become a viable operation that anchors the Southern tip of our neighborhood. Please put in the due diligence necessary to insure that this is handled in the best way possible.

Crissie Cudd is a Realtor and branch manager."

From:
www.jacksonville.com/opinion/premium-opinion/2013-12-09/story/guest-column-realtor-calls-improved-process-armory?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+JacksonvillecomsNewsSportsAndEntertainment+%28Jacksonville%27s+Most+Recent+Headlines+-+Jacksonville.com+and+The+Florida+Times-Union%29


Tonight is the night. If you haven't done so alreasdy, let City Council (and the Mayor's office) know you oppose 2013-384.

[strider]

Good write up Crissie!

[CityLife]

Very nicely written and well thought out Crissie.