Annie Lytle demolition back on track?

[lindab]

It is on the National Register.

[vicupstate]

If the buildings condition is that bad, the PRICE should reflect that.  The same owners have owned if for most of the period you are talking about.  If they had preserved the roof, they would not be in the situation they are in now.  They shouldn't just be allowed to demo by neglect the building. 

Also, are you are referring to the roof of the entire structure or the auditorium?  The Auditorium roof was wood, and the remainder concrete, according to someone 's post.     

[lindab]

Oops, my mistake. It is listed as a local historic designation not national. This gives the JHPC jurisdiction over it.

[JaxNative68]

Which means in the end that City Hall has the final and ultimate jurisdiction over it.  Unfortunately, I’m sure the city will come by in the dark of night and remove the building before any real protests can happen.  It seems to be their MO.  And somehow they alway get away with it.  It's amazing what a little greased palm can get done.

[cracklow]

so... what happened in the meeting?

[lindab]

LUZ sent it back to the JHPC to consider all available evidence and options.  From what I gleaned at the meeting, the developer wasn't the one pushing the LUZ review--it was, as some have suggested, the result of the new council president's effort to get unresolved issues off the docket. So . . . back into a holding pattern.

Took about 8 minutes. Chairman LUZ  spoke, city attorney spoke, exec director RAP spoke (send to JHPC with all evidence/options) , RAP board member spoke agreement. No opposition from anyone to sending back to Historic Commission for consideration.

[Deuce]

At least it's safe for a little longer.

[Rockinvox]

I  agree with the person who remarked about needing a marketing division regarding the preservation of our historic landmarks.  I am Jax native born & raised in San Marco.  My Grandmother is one of the founders of the San Marco Preservation Society.  I have seen so many buildings and other landmarks demolished in the name of "advancement" and some them are still vacant lots.  It's a shame and I would really like to see more of what made this town remain a part of this town.

[lindab]

I  agree with the person who remarked about needing a marketing division regarding the preservation of our historic landmarks.  I am Jax native born & raised in San Marco.  My Grandmother is one of the founders of the San Marco Preservation Society.  I have seen so many buildings and other landmarks demolished in the name of "advancement" and some them are still vacant lots.  It's a shame and I would really like to see more of what made this town remain a part of this town.

Thank you. It does make sense.

[mtraininjax]

Use it or Lose it. Bulldoze it if it sits and adds to crime in the area. Brunswich just added 100 homes to its list of demolition because the owners did nothing to enhance the buildings or rent them out. PS 4 is a nice building, but its owners are idiots. Give then 180 days to find a tenant and a CONTRACT that is binding, or bulldoze it.

[vicupstate]

Use it or Lose it. Bulldoze it if it sits and adds to crime in the area. Brunswich just added 100 homes to its list of demolition because the owners did nothing to enhance the buildings or rent them out. PS 4 is a nice building, but its owners are idiots. Give then 180 days to find a tenant and a CONTRACT that is binding, or bulldoze it.

Why should the taxpayers be stuck with the bill instaed of the owner?

I guess that is why Brunswick isn't Savannah. Brunswick, isn't that the town with the paper mill at the entrance? Figures I guess.   

[vicupstate]

Use it or Lose it. Bulldoze it if it sits and adds to crime in the area. Brunswich just added 100 homes to its list of demolition because the owners did nothing to enhance the buildings or rent them out. PS 4 is a nice building, but its owners are idiots. Give then 180 days to find a tenant and a CONTRACT that is binding, or bulldoze it.

BTW, using that logic (if it can be called that), Mount Vernon would have been demolished decades ago.

[mtraininjax]

From the Daily Record today - Geez - Doesn't anyone else read it???

07/01/2009
by Mike Sharkey

Staff Writer

The on-again-off-again redevelopment of the former Annie B. Lytle Elementary School in Brooklyn is back on.

Developer Carlton Jones plans to turn the building into 33 residential housing units for senior citizens 55 years old and up. Jones, president of Renaissance Development Group, wants to add on to the building and create another 100 units.

Over the years, several factors have delayed the project including the economy, the Fuller Warren overpass project, financing, the historic designation of the building and legislation working its way through City Council at a snail’s pace.

Recently, Doug Milne, an attorney and a trustee for Foundation Holding IV which oversees the property, successfully saved the legislation surrounding the project from extinction for at least a year.

“About six months ago City Council passed a new rule that says any legislation that has been essentially dormant for a certain period of time will be withdrawn unless action is taken,” explained Milne. “Two to three years ago, we asked for permission to dismantle the building. The thinking was, if we can’t make something work â€" and no one can â€" we may as well dismantle it.”

According to Milne, the City Council Land Use & Zoning committee agreed to allow the demolition of the building. However, the building had also been designated a historic land- mark by the Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission, making demolition nearly impossible.

“It got to be so controversial, I said, let’s just slow down,” said Milne.

Recently, Milne and Jones met with the Preservation Commission to talk about the building â€" specifically ways to finance the residential project. Both liked what they heard.

“The type of financing we are seeking is not a problem,” said Jones, whose company doesn’t technically own the building. He has a contract to purchase it from the Ida M. Stevens Foundation, which purchased the building almost 30 years ago. “The finances are readily available for independent living. We have a potential lender and we have done some underwriting.”

Milne said there was some urgency to show progress on the project. He said he got a letter from the City’s Office of General Counsel warning him that if progress wasn’t made in some capacity, the legislation would be dropped from the Council agenda for at least one year. Milne said he met with both the OGC and the Historic Preservation Commission.

“Everybody is satisfied,” he said. “It (the June 22 meeting with the Historic Preservation Commission) went very positively and they have some great ideas about financing incentives through ad valorem taxes and tax credit opportunities. They have a lot to offer.”

Jones said ideally the renovations could start in about nine months.

“Then, it’s about an 18-month process,” said Jones. “The site is so tight, we would use precast (forms). We could have the new building erected in one to two weeks. The interior would take about six months.”

Jones was also complimentary of the work done by Milne.

“Doug should be commended for keeping things intact,” said Jones. “It could have been torn down long ago.”

[thelakelander]

Sounds good.  Lets hope it pans out.

[lindab]

I say let's keep close watch. Carlton Jones recently advocated demolition of two historic buildings on Margaret Street. He is recommending a pretty quick schedule for work considering keeping the historic building intact.