Code Enforcement Demolitions are set to begin (Blight initiative)

[mtraininjax]

That is certainly one way to help the city deem the homes ready for demolition!

[I-10east]

I doubt being vacant serves as a reason to demolish.

I never said that. IMO the worst of the worst (badly deteriorated home with no historical value) should be demoed though.

[thelakelander]

Yes. I don't think anyone is saying every structure should be saved from demo. I know, during my drive to view the houses on the demo list, I saw a ton of structures that I believed were "tear down worthy"....that were not on the list. So I'm still trying to understand how these lists come together? The only thing I can figure out is it must be a complaint based generated list.

[vicupstate]

Yes. I don't think anyone is saying every structure should be saved from demo. I know, during my drive to view the houses on the demo list, I saw a ton of structures that I believed were "tear down worthy"....that were not on the list. So I'm still trying to understand how these lists come together? The only thing I can figure out is it must be a complaint based generated list.

I would agree, that is about the only thing that makes sense. The fact that 345 Nixon St. isn't on the list is because a complaint hasn't been filed.
The arsonist argument is crazy.  Do we close down banks because they get robbed?

I would disagree that Gary is not a reasonable comparison either.  If you look at the population of pre-consolidated Jacksonville, it has experienced the same magnitude of population loss as Gary.  If Gary had consolidated, it's population loss would have been masked too.   

The point is that virtually every city of any size is experiencing a significant urban re-population that is at least somewhat mitigating the damage and expense of suburban sprawl.  Jacksonville almost stands alone in contrast to this trend. In that respect Jacksonville is many years behind it's peers. 

[sheclown]

Yes. I don't think anyone is saying every structure should be saved from demo. I know, during my drive to view the houses on the demo list, I saw a ton of structures that I believed were "tear down worthy"....that were not on the list. So I'm still trying to understand how these lists come together? The only thing I can figure out is it must be a complaint based generated list.

I would agree, that is about the only thing that makes sense. The fact that 345 Nixon St. isn't on the list is because a complaint hasn't been filed.
The arsonist argument is crazy.  Do we close down banks because they get robbed?

I would disagree that Gary is not a reasonable comparison either.  If you look at the population of pre-consolidated Jacksonville, it has experienced the same magnitude of population loss as Gary.  If Gary had consolidated, it's population loss would have been masked too.   

The point is that virtually every city of any size is experiencing a significant urban re-population that is at least somewhat mitigating the damage and expense of suburban sprawl.  Jacksonville almost stands alone in contrast to this trend. In that respect Jacksonville is many years behind it's peers. 

Before a fine can be imposed on a property, it has to go before special masters.  Why then doesn't a house have to go before special masters before demolition?  That would solve the missing due process part of this equation and give the historic planning and neighbors -- and most importantly the home owners --  a chance to weigh in on the demolition.

[NaldoAveKnight]

Before a fine can be imposed on a property, it has to go before special masters.  Why then doesn't a house have to go before special masters before demolition?  That would solve the missing due process part of this equation and give the historic planning and neighbors -- and most importantly the home owners --  a chance to weigh in on the demolition.

Sounds like another way the slum lords can squeeze profit out of a hurting area.  This would be the slum lords pleading their case that they have a right to keep the junk properties around for some unknown profit motive or to get someone else's junk property for nothing.  Sounds like the needs of a few ruling over the needs of many, in this case the neighborhood and the city of Jacksonville as a whole.  Maybe the slum lords decrying the demolitions should move to Akron Ohio or similar rust belt town and work their perverted sense of urban renewal there.  Just follow the money...why are these people complaining about demolitions?  They want to buy them for next to nothing from the city for back taxes, do the minimum amount of rehab and then rent them out, probably as section 8.  They are saying that they are 'protecting the heritage of the neighborhood' while trying to profit off hapless chumps (everyone but them), all while living on a boat away from the rundown area.  Jeez, could this be any more surreal?

[vicupstate]

Before a fine can be imposed on a property, it has to go before special masters.  Why then doesn't a house have to go before special masters before demolition?  That would solve the missing due process part of this equation and give the historic planning and neighbors -- and most importantly the home owners --  a chance to weigh in on the demolition.

Sounds like another way the slum lords can squeeze profit out of a hurting area.  This would be the slum lords pleading their case that they have a right to keep the junk properties around for some unknown profit motive or to get someone else's junk property for nothing.  Sounds like the needs of a few ruling over the needs of many, in this case the neighborhood and the city of Jacksonville as a whole.  Maybe the slum lords decrying the demolitions should move to Akron Ohio or similar rust belt town and work their perverted sense of urban renewal there.  Just follow the money...why are these people complaining about demolitions?  They want to buy them for next to nothing from the city for back taxes, do the minimum amount of rehab and then rent them out, probably as section 8.  They are saying that they are 'protecting the heritage of the neighborhood' while trying to profit off hapless chumps (everyone but them), all while living on a boat away from the rundown area.  Jeez, could this be any more surreal?

Akron and such places have followed YOUR thinking and it have not been successful.  Vacant lots with cumbersome liens on them do not bring anymore vitality than a distressed but salvageable house.  Demolition eliminates the possibility of rehabbing and providing a livable home for someone, often at a fraction of the cost of new construction.
 

[sheclown]

Before a fine can be imposed on a property, it has to go before special masters.  Why then doesn't a house have to go before special masters before demolition?  That would solve the missing due process part of this equation and give the historic planning and neighbors -- and most importantly the home owners --  a chance to weigh in on the demolition.

Sounds like another way the slum lords can squeeze profit out of a hurting area.  This would be the slum lords pleading their case that they have a right to keep the junk properties around for some unknown profit motive or to get someone else's junk property for nothing.  Sounds like the needs of a few ruling over the needs of many, in this case the neighborhood and the city of Jacksonville as a whole.  Maybe the slum lords decrying the demolitions should move to Akron Ohio or similar rust belt town and work their perverted sense of urban renewal there.  Just follow the money...why are these people complaining about demolitions?  They want to buy them for next to nothing from the city for back taxes, do the minimum amount of rehab and then rent them out, probably as section 8.  They are saying that they are 'protecting the heritage of the neighborhood' while trying to profit off hapless chumps (everyone but them), all while living on a boat away from the rundown area.  Jeez, could this be any more surreal?

Akron and such places have followed YOUR thinking and it have not been successful.  Vacant lots with cumbersome liens on them do not bring anymore vitality than a distressed but salvageable house.  Demolition eliminates the possibility of rehabbing and providing a livable home for someone, often at a fraction of the cost of new construction.
 

And saves the landfill from clogging up with perfectly fine building materials. 

And saves the air from circulating previously encapsulated asbestos fibers and lead particles.

It isn't just about some romantic sense of a time long gone, it is about being good stewards with our city's assets -- namely sound structures which could (in a growing city) house people.

Building materials are so far inferior to what was available 50 years ago, 100 years ago, it is heartbreaking to watch them crushed and torn down.  Anyone who has hammered a nail through a true 2 x 4 knows what I am talking about.  Plaster walls are naturally mold resistant.   Historic windows with their ropes and weights are easy to work on (anyone can figure it out). 

Houses built 10 years ago and left for 6 months fair far worse than a 75 year old house left to sit for a decade. 

As they say in preservation circles "the greenest house is the one already built."  I would also say that the soundest house is one already built.  The earth does not have the same raw materials it once had.  They just don't make wood like they used to.

[strider]

Before a fine can be imposed on a property, it has to go before special masters.  Why then doesn't a house have to go before special masters before demolition?  That would solve the missing due process part of this equation and give the historic planning and neighbors -- and most importantly the home owners --  a chance to weigh in on the demolition.

Sounds like another way the slum lords can squeeze profit out of a hurting area.  This would be the slum lords pleading their case that they have a right to keep the junk properties around for some unknown profit motive or to get someone else's junk property for nothing.  Sounds like the needs of a few ruling over the needs of many, in this case the neighborhood and the city of Jacksonville as a whole.  Maybe the slum lords decrying the demolitions should move to Akron Ohio or similar rust belt town and work their perverted sense of urban renewal there.  Just follow the money...why are these people complaining about demolitions?  They want to buy them for next to nothing from the city for back taxes, do the minimum amount of rehab and then rent them out, probably as section 8.  They are saying that they are 'protecting the heritage of the neighborhood' while trying to profit off hapless chumps (everyone but them), all while living on a boat away from the rundown area.  Jeez, could this be any more surreal?

Akron and such places have followed YOUR thinking and it have not been successful.  Vacant lots with cumbersome liens on them do not bring anymore vitality than a distressed but salvageable house.  Demolition eliminates the possibility of rehabbing and providing a livable home for someone, often at a fraction of the cost of new construction.
 

Even in the news reports that indicate the surrounding residents want the abandoned houses gone, they also say they want something other than the empty lot.  These areas are in the state they are in because the city has fallen down on the job.  Millions have come into Jacksonville in the last decades to help those very neighborhoods.  Where has it gone?  Has it been spent wisely?  Have these neighborhoods seen any improvement or any real help from those millions?  In fact, I suspect that the leaders behind this latest "war on blight" know that what they are going to do will hurt far more than help in any way.  But they see dollar signs from the actual demolitions and from the additional millions the Feds may bring in to fight the very blight our leaders have created to start with and in fact will be creating by mowing down thousands of houses.  It is an endless circle and will be until the people figure out that destroying communities is not the answer and that building on what we have in place already is far less expensive for the tax payers and far more green that allowing another new St Johns Center or Nocatee ever will be. 

[Lunican]

Email from COJ:

From: Jacksonville Children's Commission <jaxkids@coj.net>
Date: Wed, Mar 4, 2015 at 10:33 AM
Subject: "Fight Blight" Name the Mascot Contest -- Win an iPad



About the Contest

The "Name the Mascot" contest sponsored by the Jacksonville Children's Commission and is open to all children and youth ages 5-18 residing in Duval County. The contest begins on March 4, 2015 and will conclude on March 25th, 2015. All contest submission forms must be received by close of business on March 25, 2015. Children and youth may submit one entry form via the Jacksonville Children's Commission website www.jaxkids.net, the City of Jacksonville's website, www.coj.net or by paper copy at their local library or City Hall. Submission forms must contain all of the required information to be eligible for review. All submissions will be reviewed by the Jacksonville Children's Commission and the top 3 names will be presented to the City Council Special Ad Hoc Committee on Jacksonville's Neighborhood Blight on April 8th and the winning submission will be selected by the committee.         

About the Special Ad Hoc Committee on Blight

Help fight blight in the City of Jacksonville! The City Council Special Ad Hoc Committee on Jacksonville's Neighborhood Blight is working to help clean up our city and improve quality of life - but we need your help! Call 630-CITY, email 630CITY@coj.net, or go online to report blight in your neighborhood.

[sheclown]

At least the mascot isn't a bulldozer named Buster

[strider]

Hey, let's call him Dozer ..... two great references in one!

[JaxUnicorn]

Below is a compilation of the properties that are on the DEMO list from Code Enforcement.  This includes the 40 that were on the procurement bid that started this thread.  I wish I knew how to imbed an Excel table that I could paste data into...maybe someone will teach me.   

There were 40 properties on the recent Procurement Bid.  There are a total of 128 properties on this combined list.  The fact that MCCD has asked HPC to review tells us each was built more than 50 years ago.  There are two that have been released by HPC AND released to a demo contractor (in bold). 

I asked Michael Chao for the Procurement Bid #s for the 24 properties already released to a demo contractor.  He told me to ask Procurement - I had already done that - Procurement said they need a Bid # or the contractor name.  So I asked Mr. Chao to please give me the contractor name if he didn't have the bid #.  Still waiting.

Column order: 
Street Numbe
Street Name
On CF-0082-15 Procurement Bid?
Release by HPC for DEMO?
Already Released to DEMO Contractor (waiting for HPC approval)?

6195   118th Street   Yes   Yes   No
9173   8TH AVE   No   No   No
760   ACORN ST   No   No   No
1831   Alfen Street   Yes   No   No
1861   Alfren Street   No   Yes   No
2270   ANNISTON RD   No   No   No
914   Baker Avenue   Yes   Yes   No
4418   BENNETT ST   No   No   No
6616   BLOXHAM AVE   No   No   No
6926   Bloxham Ave   No   No   Yes
809   BRIDIER ST   No   No   No
0   BROADWAY AVE   No   No   No
1743   BROADWAY AVE   No   No   No
2307   Broom St   No   No   Yes
3316   Canal Street North   Yes   No   No
820   Carrie St   No   No   Yes
7816   Caxton Cr W   No   No   Yes
2440   Cesery Blvd   No   Yes   Yes
320   Chelsea Street   Yes   No   No
2429   COLEMAN CT   No   No   No
2020   COMMONWEALTH AVE   No   No   No
6707 5707    Cooke Street   Yes   Yes   No
2241   DANSON ST   No   No   No
3917   Dent St   No   No   No
9533   Devonshire Blvd   No   No   Yes
3157   Division St   No   No   Yes
1023   Dora Street   Yes   No   No
1011   Dorchester Street   Yes   No   No
6110   Dunmire Ave   No   No   No
1064   E 10th Street   Yes   No   No
1131   E 14th St   No   No   No
45   E 16th St   No   No   Yes
301   E 16TH ST   No   No   No
1503   E 24th Street   Yes   No   No
1884   E 25th St   No   Yes   Yes
1873   E 27TH ST   No   No   No
1770   E 28th St   No   No   No
1223   E 3RD ST   No   No   No
1226   E 3RD ST   No   No   No
719   E 5th St   No   No   No
8747   Eaton Avenue   Yes   Yes   No
824   Eaverson Street   Yes   No   No
3160   Echo St   No   No   Yes
1965   Ella St   No   No   Yes
1457   EVERGREEN AVE   No   No   No
2971   Exora Ct   No   No   Yes
2610   Fairfax St   No   No   Yes
9505   Flechette Avenue   Yes   Yes   No
5737   FLORAL AVE   No   No   No
2203   Franklin St   No   No   Yes
9000   Galveston Ave   No   No   Yes
5845   GERANIUM RD   No   No   No
2858   Haddock Road   Yes   Yes   No
6116  5115    Hancook   Yes   Yes   No
1882   HARTRIDGE ST   No   No   No
5104   Highway Avenue   Yes   Yes   No
8036   Hogan Road   Yes   Yes   No
1098   Huron Street   Yes   Yes   No
4005   IONIA ST   No   No   No
2517   Janette Street   Yes   Yes   No
2314   Johnson Avenue   Yes   Yes   No
2422   Kings Rd   No   No   Yes
2318   Labelle Street   Yes   No   No
7463   Laura Street   Yes   No   No
4446   Lexington Avneue   No   No   No
7850   Marion St   No   No   Yes
2817   Market Street   Yes   No   No
1913   MC MILLAN ST   No   No   No
3553   Mecca Street   Yes   No   No
5460   MISSOURI AVE   No   No   No
1496   Mitchell St   No   No   No
4126   Muncy Rd   No   No   Yes
1146   MURRAY DR   No   No   No
510   MYRTLE AVE   No   No   No
3326   N ARDISIA RD   No   No   No
3316   N Canal Street   No   Yes   No
7463   N Laura Street   No   Yes   No
8621 8521    New Kings Road   Yes   Yes   No
8749   Norfolk Ave   No   No   Yes
611   ODESSA ST   No   No   No
617   ODESSA ST   No   No   No
2234   ORCHARD ST   No   No   No
2238   ORCHARD ST   No   No   No
2561   Orlon (Orion) Street   Yes   No   No
1935   Paine Ave (Accessory Only)   No   No   No
1145   Palmetto Street   Yes   No   No
1319   PASCO ST   No   No   No
6033   Peeler Road South   Yes   Yes   No
3811   Perry Street   Yes   No   No
3608   Phyllis Street   Yes   No   No
2985   PLUM ST   No   No   No
5135   POPPY DR   No   No   No
2019   PRING AVE   No   No   No
5367   River Forest Drive   Yes   Yes   No
1319   Rushing Street   Yes   No   No
1349   Rushing Street   Yes   No   No
1735   Sycamore St   No   No   No
2146   Thelma Street   Yes   Yes   No
6042   Transylvania Avenue   Yes   No   No
1648   Tyler Street   Yes   No   No
750   Van Buren St   No   No   No
4950   Vermont Road   Yes   No   No
1911   W 12TH ST   No   No   No
1983   W 12TH ST   No   No   No
202   W 16TH ST   No   No   No
667   W 16TH ST   No   No   No
1983   W 16TH ST   No   No   No
0   W 18TH ST   No   No   No
501   W 18th St   No   No   No
1204   W 18TH ST   No   No   No
1423   W 18TH ST   No   No   No
1430   W 19TH ST   No   No   No
1586   W 22nd St   No   No   Yes
1512   W 24TH ST   No   No   No
1145   W 24th Street   Yes   No   No
1030   W 28th St   No   No   Yes
2945   W 2nd St   No   No   No
1511   W 30th Street   Yes   No   No
2578   W 43rd Street   Yes   No   No
22   W 55th St   No   No   Yes
1355   W 6TH ST   No   No   No
1337   W 8TH ST   No   No   No
1569   W 8TH ST   No   No   No
1211   W 9TH ST   No   No   No
1467   W 9th St   No   No   Yes
1211   W 9th Street   Yes   No   No
2127   Woodside       No   No   Yes
0   YULEE ST   No   No   No

[mbwright]

Has anybody submitted total destruction, total violationo wanton destruction, for the mascot name?

[strider]

Below is a compilation of the properties that are on the DEMO list from Code Enforcement.  This includes the 40 that were on the procurement bid that started this thread.  I wish I knew how to imbed an Excel table that I could paste data into...maybe someone will teach me.   

There were 40 properties on the recent Procurement Bid.  There are a total of 128 properties on this combined list.  The fact that MCCD has asked HPC to review tells us each was built more than 50 years ago.  There are two that have been released by HPC AND released to a demo contractor (in bold). 

I asked Michael Chao for the Procurement Bid #s for the 24 properties already released to a demo contractor.  He told me to ask Procurement - I had already done that - Procurement said they need a Bid # or the contractor name.  So I asked Mr. Chao to please give me the contractor name if he didn't have the bid #.  Still waiting.

Column order: 
Street Numbe
Street Name
On CF-0082-15 Procurement Bid?
Release by HPC for DEMO?
Already Released to DEMO Contractor (waiting for HPC approval)?

6195   118th Street   Yes   Yes   No
9173   8TH AVE   No   No   No
760   ACORN ST   No   No   No
1831   Alfen Street   Yes   No   No
1861   Alfren Street   No   Yes   No
2270   ANNISTON RD   No   No   No
914   Baker Avenue   Yes   Yes   No
4418   BENNETT ST   No   No   No
6616   BLOXHAM AVE   No   No   No
6926   Bloxham Ave   No   No   Yes
809   BRIDIER ST   No   No   No
0   BROADWAY AVE   No   No   No
1743   BROADWAY AVE   No   No   No
2307   Broom St   No   No   Yes
3316   Canal Street North   Yes   No   No
820   Carrie St   No   No   Yes
7816   Caxton Cr W   No   No   Yes
2440   Cesery Blvd   No   Yes   Yes
320   Chelsea Street   Yes   No   No
2429   COLEMAN CT   No   No   No
2020   COMMONWEALTH AVE   No   No   No
6707 5707    Cooke Street   Yes   Yes   No
2241   DANSON ST   No   No   No
3917   Dent St   No   No   No
9533   Devonshire Blvd   No   No   Yes
3157   Division St   No   No   Yes
1023   Dora Street   Yes   No   No
1011   Dorchester Street   Yes   No   No
6110   Dunmire Ave   No   No   No
1064   E 10th Street   Yes   No   No
1131   E 14th St   No   No   No
45   E 16th St   No   No   Yes
301   E 16TH ST   No   No   No
1503   E 24th Street   Yes   No   No
1884   E 25th St   No   Yes   Yes
1873   E 27TH ST   No   No   No
1770   E 28th St   No   No   No
1223   E 3RD ST   No   No   No
1226   E 3RD ST   No   No   No
719   E 5th St   No   No   No
8747   Eaton Avenue   Yes   Yes   No
824   Eaverson Street   Yes   No   No
3160   Echo St   No   No   Yes
1965   Ella St   No   No   Yes
1457   EVERGREEN AVE   No   No   No
2971   Exora Ct   No   No   Yes
2610   Fairfax St   No   No   Yes
9505   Flechette Avenue   Yes   Yes   No
5737   FLORAL AVE   No   No   No
2203   Franklin St   No   No   Yes
9000   Galveston Ave   No   No   Yes
5845   GERANIUM RD   No   No   No
2858   Haddock Road   Yes   Yes   No
6116  5115    Hancook   Yes   Yes   No
1882   HARTRIDGE ST   No   No   No
5104   Highway Avenue   Yes   Yes   No
8036   Hogan Road   Yes   Yes   No
1098   Huron Street   Yes   Yes   No
4005   IONIA ST   No   No   No
2517   Janette Street   Yes   Yes   No
2314   Johnson Avenue   Yes   Yes   No
2422   Kings Rd   No   No   Yes
2318   Labelle Street   Yes   No   No
7463   Laura Street   Yes   No   No
4446   Lexington Avneue   No   No   No
7850   Marion St   No   No   Yes
2817   Market Street   Yes   No   No
1913   MC MILLAN ST   No   No   No
3553   Mecca Street   Yes   No   No
5460   MISSOURI AVE   No   No   No
1496   Mitchell St   No   No   No
4126   Muncy Rd   No   No   Yes
1146   MURRAY DR   No   No   No
510   MYRTLE AVE   No   No   No
3326   N ARDISIA RD   No   No   No
3316   N Canal Street   No   Yes   No
7463   N Laura Street   No   Yes   No
8621 8521    New Kings Road   Yes   Yes   No
8749   Norfolk Ave   No   No   Yes
611   ODESSA ST   No   No   No
617   ODESSA ST   No   No   No
2234   ORCHARD ST   No   No   No
2238   ORCHARD ST   No   No   No
2561   Orlon (Orion) Street   Yes   No   No
1935   Paine Ave (Accessory Only)   No   No   No
1145   Palmetto Street   Yes   No   No
1319   PASCO ST   No   No   No
6033   Peeler Road South   Yes   Yes   No
3811   Perry Street   Yes   No   No
3608   Phyllis Street   Yes   No   No
2985   PLUM ST   No   No   No
5135   POPPY DR   No   No   No
2019   PRING AVE   No   No   No
5367   River Forest Drive   Yes   Yes   No
1319   Rushing Street   Yes   No   No
1349   Rushing Street   Yes   No   No
1735   Sycamore St   No   No   No
2146   Thelma Street   Yes   Yes   No
6042   Transylvania Avenue   Yes   No   No
1648   Tyler Street   Yes   No   No
750   Van Buren St   No   No   No
4950   Vermont Road   Yes   No   No
1911   W 12TH ST   No   No   No
1983   W 12TH ST   No   No   No
202   W 16TH ST   No   No   No
667   W 16TH ST   No   No   No
1983   W 16TH ST   No   No   No
0   W 18TH ST   No   No   No
501   W 18th St   No   No   No
1204   W 18TH ST   No   No   No
1423   W 18TH ST   No   No   No
1430   W 19TH ST   No   No   No
1586   W 22nd St   No   No   Yes
1512   W 24TH ST   No   No   No
1145   W 24th Street   Yes   No   No
1030   W 28th St   No   No   Yes
2945   W 2nd St   No   No   No
1511   W 30th Street   Yes   No   No
2578   W 43rd Street   Yes   No   No
22   W 55th St   No   No   Yes
1355   W 6TH ST   No   No   No
1337   W 8TH ST   No   No   No
1569   W 8TH ST   No   No   No
1211   W 9TH ST   No   No   No
1467   W 9th St   No   No   Yes
1211   W 9th Street   Yes   No   No
2127   Woodside       No   No   Yes
0   YULEE ST   No   No   No

What a shame that the only thing suggested for these house is demolition as the ordinance allows for the taking and giving.  I talked the the Historic people and many of these are very worth saving.