Florence Court Apartments: The Power of Paint

[patfaulk]

I don't appreciate being called a slum landlord - a lot of my tenants come from places they rented that were full of rats, roaches, mold, mildew - we don't have anything like that - slum landlords take peoples money and don't give back - some of the place I spoke about have since been condemned - and left people with no place to go - giving them only hours to pack up and leave - ever been in that position? Slum landlords don't care as long as they get their money. City inspectors have come to me to help them find housing for some of these people - we are a respected company in this community - ask the police, housing inspectors (who say our building is a Taj Mahjal compared to other places they have to go to), city inspectors, anyone at Jax Housing, MHRC, Sulzbacher, Liberty Center, Trinity, City welfare. We treat our tenants no matter what kind of circumstances that they came from with respect and with that you get respect back - do you get respect with your sarcasm?

[Springfielder]

True, the building may not look beautiful (of which, it's all subject to interpretation anyway) but it's freshly painted and maintained. That's a hell of a lot better than half of the crap holes you see along Main street. I personally see nothing wrong with how the building is maintained and who occupies it. I can't recall any threads of complaints in regards to the building or occupants. As a long time Springfield resident, I'm thrilled to see the new coat of paint on the old building.

[patfaulk]

Thanks, I needed some encouragement - some people were so nice with their comments and others were just so down on what we are trying to accomplish - I don't understand it, when so many buildings in this area are from the dregs of ____--!! They also don't take into consideration that we have to pay taxes, insurance, and of course maintenance and we even pay for the water for the whole building - the tenants don't pay for it - only electric. Thanks again.

[Ocklawaha]

This is for Oklawaha, these apartments are the same as any average size apartment - living room, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom - they are one bedrooms because under our contract with housing they are for single adults only - it's not like that person who wrote that his closet is bigger than their apartments - people don't realize how big that building really is inside. The tenants are comfortable - we take care of all their maintenance needs - keep the building in good shape and sometime we take care of their emotional needs. And sorry - I do not live in Jacksonville - but even so I take responsibility for my tenants and the company and other homeless people who need a hand to get back on their feet.

Pat, you misunderstand me and my shoot from the hip comments. The way I see it, if this were Cairo Egypt, rather then Jacksonville, Florida, and your property owner did the exact same thing in the Great Pyramid of Giza...30 apartments, good paint, nice tenants, great management etc... JUST THE WRONG PLACE. I see the city's dwindling inventory of history every day, and wish to God that someone in Housing, had the nerve to stand up and fight for new apartments for you and your tenants. Meanwhile that Great Pyramid, which in our case is one of the rare Klutho Buildings, should be captured by either a historic renovation developer OR by the City itself and turned into a fully restored treasure. It's like how many architectural students and tourists would the Pyramid get if it had 40 apartments in it? What if they were nice and it was painted gray and white? I think we'd all agree that it's a misuse of a historic resource.

BUT that misuse in no way should reflect on you, your tenants or your mission. I wish I could build that new building for you, and frankly the city should hear that idea.

I did my time on the streets of Hollywood, Haight-Ashbury, Daytona, and Yosemite... So I DO understand. PEACE AND LOVE!

OCKLAWAHA
(resident old hippie)

[thelakelander]

To be fair, when this building was renovated in the mid 1980s, it had been vacant and boarded up for a while and Springfield was in pretty bad shape.  The last thing on the city's mind at that time, was saving Klutho buildings.  While many may not agree with its use, this group's use of the building most likely saved it from demolition in a tear down happy city.  Without them, this structure would have probably been in the same picture books with historic structures that died from the wrecking ball and this discussion would be mute.

[fsu813]

ok, now i believe that you know your tenants.

[patfaulk]

This is for Ocklawaha - the problem with placing these people in a different neighborhood is that the people of those communities don't want "Those" people in their neighborhood. How many times have you seen on the news or newspaper about the meetings and protests of having "Those kind" in their neighborhood? Many times I'm sure. Nobody wants to give others a chance to survive - I could see if we weren't the kind of management company that we are and our place was full of gangs, drugs, and prostitutes - then I could sympathize with the people - but because they are retarded, homeless, disabled they are labeled for life.
Too bad society has come to this. Prejudice is not dead. You can't judge someone because of they way they are made - it could be your son, daughter, niece, nephew or someother relative - but for the grace of God they are the way they are and someone needs to understand their wants and needs. You think even the shelters care? The give them food and send them on their way to find someplace to eat the food - most end up on our wall in front of the office or between our building and the parking lot. A lot of places charge these people to stay in the shelters - if you're on a fixed income how do you get on your feet. Case managers - once their clients are placed in living quarters - drop their clients and then they are someone else's problem - a few still care and I can still call them when I have to. We do all we can to improve their quality of life - if they can't or aren't able to clean their apartment - we do it for them. What other managers do you know will do that? My tenants are like family - all colors, races, religions, different backgrounds. Don't think too badly of me because I also manage another complex (30 units) and it is the same kind of people (different area) and again I know them and am there for them. I hope everyone can understand what we do and if we could put the Klutho building back to the way it was and still maintain these people - we would. But in reality - look at Springfield - the drugs, prostitutes, the street people - damaging buildings, breaking into buildings - they don't want the help - they want to bring everyone down to their level. No business stays long because of this - the City needs to clean up the area - not take 60 minutes when you have to call the police for them to come. By then that person is gone and the damage is done. What a shame - when I first came to Jacksonville it wasn't like this.

[JaxNative68]

patfaulk - keep up the good work and the care and concern for everyone in your building.  I commend you for doing the work most people would rather turn a blind eye to.

[patfaulk]

I want to thank you for the compliment - there is so much negativity out there - so many don't want to see that there are people striving to do better for themselves and not all are deadbeats - we try very hard to help people no matter what their circumstances are. Again, thanks

[thelakelander]

To be fair, when this building was renovated in the mid 1980s, it had been vacant and boarded up for a while and Springfield was in pretty bad shape.  The last thing on the city's mind at that time, was saving Klutho buildings.  While many may not agree with its use, this group's use of the building most likely saved it from demolition in a tear down happy city.  Without them, this structure would have probably been in the same picture books with historic structures that died from the wrecking ball and this discussion would be mute.

While looking for another image, I came across this one.  This is what the Florence Court looked like in the late 1970s, before the current owners came in.

[Omarvelous09]

I pass this building at least 3 times a day for years, and I've seen the progress. Like any other low income rental building, it has its issues...but I'm glad it's stayed occupied. Its a great building, and i think it will be a great addition upon completion of Main St. The only complaint i have about the building is the number of people who "hang out" in the front, don't know if they're tenants of just locals....but that will most likely change when Main st. is finished. Wonder if the owners ever thought of targeting a different demographic, there are lots of people who would love to live in the building.

[Springfield Girl]

But in reality - look at Springfield - the drugs, prostitutes, the street people - damaging buildings, breaking into buildings - they don't want the help - they want to bring everyone down to their level. No business stays long because of this - the City needs to clean up the area - not take 60 minutes when you have to call the police for them to come. By then that person is gone and the damage is done. What a shame - when I first came to Jacksonville it wasn't like this.

...and another quote from Pat Faulk, "there is so much negativity out there"
Pat, I would say your above post regarding Springfield is pretty negative regarding my neighborhood.
I've lived in Springfield for years and the problems and negativity I see in the neighborhood stems from places like yours and the residents living there. You talk about housing homeless people and others with "problems" then complain that like people hang out around your building and bathe and wash clothes in your fountain. The reason the street people you talk about are here are because of places like yours. I have a fountain in my non fenced yard and no one bathes or washes clothes in it. I do not have drug dealers, prostitutes or street people hanging around my house and I have never had to call the cops about anyone on my property. I am curious to know if there is a manager at the apartments 24/7 since it seems that would be warranted with 49 residences filled with special needs tenants.

[Deuce]

Haven't said much about this topic in the past, but I'll add a little something now.

The only complaint i have

That's the only complaint you have! (See post above mine and others) S-girl is right. That's a weak excuse to cover over the fountain. How about hiring private security, or calling the cops every time it happens, or encouraging the residents to chase off the homeless.

ever thought of targeting a different demographic

That's my biggest complaint. I would rather see it converted into 4 or 8 luxury apts. That helps my property values
(when they are not in a tailspin due to larger economic issue over which I have little control); what's there now, doesn't.

[jason_contentdg]

^ Deuce is right, you either make the units nice enough to go after a different, better paying clientele where you need fewer units, or you put the bare minimum amount into it, but you need to rent out 48 units to make the numbers work...

[Ocklawaha]

While looking for another image, I came across this one.  This is what the Florence Court looked like in the late 1970s, before the current owners came in.

I agree that they saved the building by hacking 30+ apartments into an 8 apartment complex. But I still stand by my statements that the current layout and current use is just plain wrong. I could think of a half dozen sites, on bus routes, that a proper facility could fit into. The handicapped, mentally ill, or recovering addicts do NOT deserve to be "Warehoused" in a sub standard home.

Love is but a song we sing
fears' the way we die
You can make the mountains ring
or make the angels cry

Though the dove is on the wing
and you may not know why

*Come on people now
smile on your brother
everybody get together
and try to love one another right now

Some may come and some may go
He will surely pass
When the one that left us here
returns for us at last
We are but a moment's sunlight
fading in the grass

*Come on people now
smile on your brother
everybody get together
try to love one another right now

*Come on people now
smile on your brother
everybody get together
try to love one another right now

*Come on people now
smile on your brother
everybody get together
try to love one another right now

If you hear the song I sing
you will understand...listen
You hold the key to love and fear
all in your trembling hand
Just one key unlocks them both
Its there at your command

*Come on people now
smile on your brother
Everybody get together
try to love one another right now

*Come on people now
smile on your brother
Everybody get together
try to love one another right now

I said.....

*Come on people now
smile on your brother
Everybody get together
try to love one another right now
right now
right now

OCKLAWAHA