Lerner Shop at 118 Main to be demolished

[hillary supporter]

 im quite sure its owned y the farrah brothers, i was told such as i asked about the building a couple of years ago.

[coredumped]

I don't know why, but that building just screams "butcher" to me. I think it would look so cool in there.

[I-10east]

^^^Yeah, it looks like something off of Goodfellas. It definitely had better days, and I'll just leave it at that.

[Scarlettjax]

Wow, I used to shop there when it was Lerner's.  I can't remember, though, if it was Lerner's or the Diana Shop where I bought my first pair of hiphuggers, what y'all call low rise jeans these days.  Ock, there's a neat hobby/photo shop like you describe in an old grocery store in Orlando, ever been there?

[mtraininjax]

Farah's, I have heard, would like to move from their current location. They bought land near new courthouse, and once the courthouse starts, they will probably build their new building. The 2nd floor of their 10E Adams is empty, the SA moved out, so only Farah is really left in the building.

Correction - The Farah's do own the property....see my new comment below on their plans....

[mtraininjax]

I don't know why, but that building just screams "butcher" to me. I think it would look so cool in there.

Can you hang out and help me park my car, or should we circle the block and hunt for a space? Come downtown for a butcher shop? Does anyone live downtown still?

[riverside planner]

I really hope this does not happen.  This building is such a gem in the rough.

[thelakelander]

If it has to come down, they should at least, save the front facade.  Then whenever something else comes along, it could be worked into the design.

[hanjin1]

too bad our city isn't about saving anything. I think they like the idea of destroying downtown, since they have no care for it.

[blizz01]

[I-10east]

And now a moment of silence................................

I sense an almost "PETA-type extreme vibe" on Metrojax when it comes to saving ANY building no matter how ragedy. I'm not trying to create controversy, but I see NOTHING aesthetically appealing about that building. It's no use bitchin' about it should've been in better condition, because that's a given; It's done! The building is in bad shape. Buildings get torn down all of the time all over the world. It's not necessarily a bad thing. I'm waiting for Lake to do an article on a termite mound DT, then peeps will start chaining themselves to it, to save it.

I'm a rollercoaster enthusiast, and I'm a member of a forum. Everyone on the site loves coasters, but most peeps on the site also realize when a coaster is badly designed, or ragedy, if it's not worth saving, it needs to be torn down. I know that I'm already portrayed as someone that don't care about DT Jax or whatever; I like to think of myself as a realist. Before someone chew me out, answer this question; Is tearing down a (any bldg no matter the condition) building ALWAYS a bad thing? Can't put a gun to someone's head, and make'em buy a building. Can't make a time machine. The building isn't easy on the eyes. It's done.   

 

[thelakelander]

I like to think of myself as a realist. Before someone chew me out, answer this question; Is tearing down a (any bldg no matter the condition) building ALWAYS a bad thing? Can't put a gun to someone's head, and make'em buy a building. Can't make a time machine. The building isn't easy on the eyes. It's done.

Imagine the appeal if Savannah and Chaleston if they had demolished every vacant building they could in their downtown areas.  They would be the Northbank.  I think of myself as a realist as well.  With your view, buildings like this would have been torn down and replaced by vacant lots years ago.


2065 N Market in 2005.  Vacant for decades with the roof already caved in.


2065 N. Market today.  Because the building had not been torn down, despite its decayed state, someone took advantage of the old brick walls and detailing and added a new roof.




The reality is the way we view and treat abandoned and under utilized building stock in the Northbank has not produced good results.  The view you express has stunted organic growth by virtually eliminating the prospect of small businesses coming in and bringing smaller buildings back to life.  Instead its led to the exact opposite.

 

^This doesn't work.  We been doing this since 1950 and the result is the struggling downtown scene we see today.  On the other hand, Springfield, Riverside and San Marco are holding their own despite the economy.  Its time to cut bait, before the Northbank loses the stock that makes it appealing and becomes nothing more than a vertical Southpoint.







 

[mtraininjax]

Here is the scoop, the Farahs are good people and they want to do the right thing. They purchased 118 Main last year when the real estate market was tanking. They wanted a place for their people to be able to go for lunch or take a smoke break, without being in front of the building.

The insides of the building are nasty, bird/bat droppings everywhere. The upstairs bathroom had been used for some time by homeless people, with no running water - use your own imagination on that one. They KNOW the front has historic implications, so they are planning to save the front of the building and tear down the rest of it. They will have a fence around it along main. Will have a summer kitchen in back, so if you know of any summer kitchen contractors....here is their lead.

Again, saving the front, tearing down the rest, build summer kitchen and place for employees to enjoy some quiet time. That was the plan as of today, 5/13.

[thelakelander]

Thanks for the update.  Its good to see they will at least preserve the facade and make the area into a usable courtyard space.  Who knows, if they ever leave to move closer to the new courthouse, that spot would make a great location for a sidewalk cafe or bar.

An outdoor cafe in downtown Sarasota


An outdoor dining and live performance venue in Fort Worth


An old alley converted to an outdoor seating and lounging area in Fort Worth

[nestliving]

It was torn down today...I say remember this when you need a lawyer.