Inside the Park View Inn

[heights unknown]

I don't think its a us vs. them issue with the Park View.  People are just frustrated with the condition of the structure and lack of progress.  From a development standpoint, there's nothing you, me or anyone else posting can do to keep big developers from doing their homework.  I can't speak for the others but I vividly remember environmental issues being one of the reasons that project did not move forward.

And.......in the meantime the old, dilapidated, broken down structure is just sitting on top of contaminated property rotting and doing nothing but providing an ugly picture for that end of downtown and Springfield; so, in my opinion, the smart thing for the Owner to do (maybe someone should tell him this cause maybe he's too old to understand), is to tear it down, clean-up the contamination if there is in fact contamination, and put it on the market for the City or a private developer to buy; otherwise, the City will do the tearing down, contamination cleaning, and bill the Owner...and who knows how much the tab will be...probably more than if the Owner did it himself.

Heights Unknown

[heights unknown]

So it would be safe to assume that the maximum time that the gas works was open was from 1874 to 1896.  22 years.  And the plant ceased operation 112 years ago. 

If Van Winkels position is correct and 20 years of the plants operation was not gassification, then the amount of time that the 'blob' might have accumulated from 'gassification' would be even briefer.

Well at least we have a bit more in the 'factual' arena to work with now.

Thanks Lake for taking the time.   That took only one day?

It's amazing what a little "teamwork" and "mutual cooperation" can do.

Heights Unknown

[downtownparks]

Aside from some posters personal indignation on behalf of the fair and decent downtown landowner, none of the questions have been answered.

[thelakelander]

Any update on gaining access to the latest round of testing?  It would greatly benefit the land owner to display proof that site contamination isn't a significant issue with his property.

[thelakelander]

So how do we get a copy?  Since you personally know the owner and have a good relationship with him, can you talk to him about it?  Or do we have to go through the state?

[thelakelander]

Here's an image of the project my firm worked on for the Park View site around early 2004.  This project died, partially because of site contamination clean-up costs, which made building a tower at that location unfeasible.

[downtownparks]

Hey Lake.

Did you ever get a chance to look over the test results?

[alta]

Has anyone notice the activity that has been going on here in the last week?  The south facing rooms have had their walls torn down.  The east facing garage entrance has been open several times.  There is new plywood sealing the entrance.  Does anyone know what is going on.  Renovation or demolition?

[reednavy]

Has anyone notice the activity that has been going on here in the last week?  The south facing rooms have had their walls torn down.  The east facing garage entrance has been open several times.  There is new plywood sealing the entrance.  Does anyone know what is going on.  Renovation or demolition?

If I remember, it would be demo.

[alta]

That is what I read a while back.  They are tearing down the walls slowly if that is the case.  Why not a recking ball or dynamite?

[reednavy]

Asbestos is likely, and other toxins that have developed over years of decay and such.

[Cliffs_Daughter]

I have this postcard, not sure of the date since it was never sent... it used to be called the "Heart of Jacksonville" hotel, or so it says.
Have a lookhttp:


Neat, huh?
I got a good little collection of things around town. Hoping to really expand my albums.

[alta]

Looks like Parkview's days are numbered.  A demolition company was there yesterday and JSO was patrolling the north entrance apparently to keep the homeless from wondering in. 

[billy]

What's going on, if anything, with the old Cadillac dealer/ restaurant supply building
(Klutho) between there and Hogan's Creek?

[fsujax]

^^parking garage???