Lerner Shop at 118 Main to be demolished

[hanjin1]

This is already in another thread, but I figured it might need its own. It looks like the Lerner Shop at 118 Main street will be demolished. This is a great little building, but unfortunately it is said to be falling in on itself. Too bad this building couldn't be saved.

[TREE4309]

bummer...I always liked that building.  I wonder why the pseudo-store front glass was installed last year if the building was so far gone?

[jason_contentdg]

My guess is it could be saved...it's just easier to demolish.  And again, it's a disgrace that it was allowed to sit there and deteriorate as it has.

[thelakelander]

Cracks and all, it can be saved if the desire is there.  2065 North Market is the perfect example.  A few years ago, nothing but the walls were worth saving.  The roof had already collapsed.

1948 Image


2005 Aerial


Current

[vicupstate]

I hate to see it demolished too.  I also don't buy the too far gone argument.

I hope someone will build new in it's place.  Otherwise it will be the perfect cubby hole for the homeless to hang out in.

[Ocklawaha]

That building has more "COOL" then any other little building in downtown. When I was inside, the bricks were all wet and seemed to be crumbling. There was enough saltpeter that if one brought their own charcol they could blow up the whole east side of town.

OCKLAWAHA

[Lunican]

For those that are unfamiliar with the building being discussed, here is a photo:

[Ocklawaha]

I was thinking something really specialized with a broad market. An old fashioned HOBBY SHOP, which of course would carry every type of train known to man, plus RC, Aircraft, Ships, digital modeling. History remembered puts the original downtown hobby shop within 3 or 4 blocks of this building. With such a specialized product, no one would have to worry about parking as avid modelers, train buffs, flyboys, squids, devil dogs and grunts would seek you out, and one couldn't want a more central location.

OCKLAWAHA

[TheProfessor]

Not to be a proponent of demolition, but architecturally speaking the buildings on either side of this building seem to be better contributors to the aesthetics of the area.  I would agree with a demo if there were plans for a nice modern infill highrise....although I know that will not happen in this market, so I say -- STOP THE BULLDOZERS!

[hillary supporter]

My guess is it could be saved...it's just easier to demolish.  And again, it's a disgrace that it was allowed to sit there and deteriorate as it has.
well said, Joe Merchant.  The current owner should be forrbidden to demolish. Umm isnt that what preservations about? 

[downtownparks]

I believe the Eddie Farrah lawfirm owns it. Can anyone verify that?

[TREE4309]

I thought the same thing, although I can't undoubtedly confirm that at the moment.  A quick tax record check is in order.

[David]

http://apps.coj.net/pao_propertySearch/Basic/Detail.aspx?RE=0736900000

It has 10 W. Adam st 3rd floor as the mailing address on the last homestead exemption, so yes, it does appear to belong to good ol Edward, or Eddie as he said I could call him.

[Springfielder]

This has got to be one of the worst cities, when it comes to making any effort at all with saving these old buildings. It's disgraceful, plain and simple. It most certainly can be saved, they just don't want to do it.

[hillary supporter]

in my experience, "preservation" here in jax is such a weak premise. In my inquirys about downtown jax, i asked Joel Mceackin(sic) how such could happen, and he summed it up, "some just have a lot of money" in such a state of reassignment. I mean, hes seen this happen most of his life. He was decisive in w Wayne's woods, Architectural Jacksonville.