Lerner Shop at 118 Main to be demolished

[TREE4309]

Yep, I was downtown this afternoon and it's in rubble.  Don't think the facade was going to be saved either.

[stjr]

Ironic that the ones "investing" in Downtown are the ones responsible for destroying it.  If not already, it won't be long that Downtown will look like any suburban office park with a few tall buildings in its midst.  Why can't we find people in Jax that both appreciate history and are in powerful positions.  It's clear it's all about the dollar - for developers and political campaigns.  Quality of life be damned.  Why should anyone be surprised?

I am at the point where I would consider boycotting Downtown altogether just to make the point I won't support the way things are going there.  It's not what I want to do, but why endorse those who are destroying it.  And, if more people stayed away, maybe the movers and shakers would work harder to be creative and try what they aren't doing now:  Preserving history, bringing good mass transit, creating a street presence, blocking Downtown killers like the awful courthouse project, etc.  It's like they are doing everything they can to run off people, why not let them get their wish?

I have lived here all my life and all I have ever heard is we are supporting Downtown.  It's really not the case and the proof is in the pudding.  When one looks back at Jax pre-1965 or so, you can see how far we have fallen and how little progress we have truly made to rebuild it.  Nothing but mostly failed promises.  We have fallen behind every major city in Florida and possibly most of the Southeast when once, we were on top.  I see nothing on the horizon to change that despite the many appeals here on MJ.

Lest one forget:

[brainstormer]

I feel your pain stjr!  The only problem I see with your boycott is that it once again hurts the wrong people.  There are many good people and small businesses who are trying to make downtown a place with a high quality of life.  By boycotting them, you hurt the good guys. 

I think it is time to take our thoughts and ideas to city hall.  It is time to not just post on this forum but to get out there, organize and take a stand.  This city needs better leadership and those in charge need to hear from residents that we aren't happy!  They don't read our emails, they don't respond to letters, they don't read this site.  I say it's time to rally!  Rally for Jacksonville!  Everyone I talk to hates the direction this city is heading.  City Hall is corrupt, JSO is corrupt, the school board members are out of touch, we are wasting our tax dollars, our history is being destroyed by wrecking balls!  We must demand better leadership!!!  They will keep plodding on in their corrupt old ways until we take action.

The brilliant people who post on this site need to leave the comfort of their homes and take a stand in the community.  I'm willing to jump out there, but I can't do it alone.

[shanshan1218]

Our city is a beautiful place! I could never ask for more! You are more than completely right! We, as the people that care about not only our city, but what little is left of our history, do need to take a stand....start showing up in person, as a group. Something needs to happen, and quickly, before nothing is left of the beautiful buildings I, personally, cherish. I spent most of my day downtown today. There is something about being there that I love; there is also a lot of things about being there that deeply sadden me. I hate to see history reduced to rubble, we are seeing more and more of that under the "leadership" we currently have.....sad....just plain sad!

[hanjin1]

I just dorve by and looks like they only have the last half of it to go. I 'm sure we can put an "urban" homeless park or parking lot in there now. That is what this city likes to do anyways.

[nestliving]

I would put money on the fact that the only reason why the Farrah's bought that building was to tear it down and create a nice little car park for themselves. Time will tell.

[stephendare]

they didnt, nestliving.  They needed (or at least they feel they need) additional space for their downtown office.

The downstairs area is going to be a cafe of some sort.

[nestliving]

I don't believe that. like I said. time will tell.

[stephendare]

Well, Its what they intended at the time, and as of last month they still do.

I think we actually published the tentative site plans.

Eddie and his brother Chuck have invested in shocking amounts of downtown recently. 

But I dont think they can use the space for parking by code anyways.

[nestliving]

I know not a thing about codes and such, so I take your word for it. Common sense tells me that you don't buy and old building to demo it then build a cafe.

[heights unknown]

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.   

 

I-10 East, you've got to understand Jacksonville's history when it comes to tearing down, wrecking balling, demolition, Jax is famous for that, especially downtown.  How long have you lived in Jax?  Since the late 50's demolition has almost become a sport in downtown Jax; the only thing is, nothing gets built in place of the demolition and we're left with parking lots.  I know we can't put a gun to the head of City Leaders or anyone else to preserve, buy, or do something with the property, but everytime we turn around a piece of our history is going to the garbage dump or the landfill.

Heights Unknown

[heights unknown]

Well, Its what they intended at the time, and as of last month they still do.

I think we actually published the tentative site plans.

Eddie and his brother Chuck have invested in shocking amounts of downtown recently. 

But I dont think they can use the space for parking by code anyways.

I hope you're right Stephendare; it would be a shame to just let that little pocket sit empty or become a trash heap; I'm sure they'll do something with it, as someone said, time will tell.

Heights Unknown

[Lunican]

Urban Jacksonville also has a story on this today:
http://www.urbanjacksonville.info/2009/05/18/118-main-street-shoulda-woulda-coulda/

[jason_contentdg]

We'll be giving some thoughts on this tomorrow, but Content Design Group is obviously a little depressed to see that 118 Main has been torn down and torn down because it was the easy thing to do.

[Ethylene]

Hey, seriously, the Farrah's were just doing their part! Afterall, Saturday was Shine in "09 Day, sponsored by the Keep Jacksonville Beautiful Commission. I know the folks visiting downtown for the Jazz Festival will be so impressed by that pile of rubble!