Florida Trust's 11 Most Endangered Historic Sites

[Metro Jacksonville]

Florida Trust's 11 Most Endangered Historic Sites



The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation recently announced their 2011 Most Endangered Historic Sites. Not surprisingly, an urban Jacksonville site shows up on the list.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-jun-florida-trusts-11-most-endangered-historic-sites

[Miss Fixit]

I seriously considered nominating the Springfield Historic District for inclusion in this list.

Florida Trust has helped to save a number of structures and has raised awareness of many struggling historic neighborhoods since starting this program, which was inspired by the National Trust's most endangered list.

I hope this mention helps save Fire Station #5.

[Tacachale]

What is the current status of the land under it? It would be a dirty shame if we tore it down for a redevelopment that never happens, like Mount Moria AME church.

[copperfiend]

Not saying it could or couldn't be a successful venture, but it would be cool to see something like this at the fire station.

http://www.engine11atl.com/

[Kay]

I seriously considered nominating the Springfield Historic District for inclusion in this list.

I had the same thought.

[vicupstate]

Another example to follow:

http://www.newberryfirehouse.com/

[Timkin]

I would have thought Annie Lytle would have made it

[sheclown]

Maybe we should try to get Springfield on the list for 2012.  Although I am hopeful that the mothballing legislation will help, I'm sure that the label would still describe Springfield one year from now.

[Ocklawaha]

Fire Station #5 is the oldest and most recognized historic building on Riverside Avenue in downtown Jacksonville’s Brooklyn neighborhood. It was designed by Robert Lee Sevil in 1910. The land on which the building stands was sold by the city to Fidelity National Financial, Inc. in 2009. The building is currently vacant, unmaintained, and has been the target of repeated vandalism. Some city officials are in support of the preservation of the building but are concerned over costs for relocation and rehabilitation. The site is added to the 2011 list due to the potential for demolition caused by redevelopment pressure.

Amazing lack of creativity on the part of those poor concerned "city officials" as we have a 'US Navy Sea Bee's' Construction Battalion, National Guard Armory, Army Reserve, Navy Reserves, Coast Guard Reserves, Air National Guard, Army Corps of Engineers, and Camp Blanding military divisions right here in town. Gee what's that got to do with an old fire station? Well my children, the military will often allow such projects as moving and restoring old civic or 501c properties for two reasons, TRAINING EXERCISES and PUBLIC RELATIONS. Fact is the adjunct to the Commanding General of the Florida Guard is my next door neighbor and we've talked about this at some length, while it WOULD have to go through the commanding general and logistics, it is 100% doable. Lead time on such projects can be somewhat longer then through civilian circles but it's also FREE.

Where is the Historical Society? Where is the press? Have they EVER done a story to 'shame the city into action?" Pull out the stops boys and girls and let's let em have it. Must we recruit Eddie Farrah or another local 'big dog' attorney to fill their path with strife? What if we did? What if Eddie or Morgan or another joined in the fight? Give em hell!

I also noted that ANNIE LYTLE SCHOOL didn't make the cut even though it's every bit the historical property and it too has been split from the property it sits on. The omission of Annie speaks volumes.

NO MORE LA VILLA'S, NO MORE FAIRFIELD'S, NO MORE BROOKLYN'S... This crap MUST stop now.

OCKLAWAHA

[ChriswUfGator]

Maybe we should try to get Springfield on the list for 2012.  Although I am hopeful that the mothballing legislation will help, I'm sure that the label would still describe Springfield one year from now.

Thanks, SPAR!

[Timkin]

How do we get the City "shamed" into recognizing and sparing these places?

[Ocklawaha]

How do we get the City "shamed" into recognizing and sparing these places?

Easy. Web sites, Facebook Pages, Yahoo Groups, media blitz, PBS, NPR, TU, MJ, and do the basic story of what needs to be done, what has and hasn't been done, and EVERY SINGLE OPPOSING VOICE EXPOSED. There might be a fine line between Sarcasm and Slander but maybe it's time to walk that line. You'd be amazed at the pressure a single 60 MINUTES report on the vanishing downtown might bring to bear on this subject. In fact as a politician you KNOW it's going to be a bad day when you arrive at the office to find an NPR and CBS crew waiting in the reception room for you.

Of course this would take some effort, someone not tied down by Streetcars, Jacksonville Stars or SPAR, getting the local groups to voice a LOUD opinion, ask for written statements, ask for votes of support, share EVERY step with the media. Organize protests, stand in front of City Hall and hand out flier's, picket, yell, jump, stomp, until someone pays attention. Most of all, NEVER EVER, EVER, EVER, GIVE UP. NEVER SURRENDER.

A HISTORY...

32 years ago I went after the city with a plan for streetcars, (and a transportation center) It got nasty, the press got involved, JTA, and JCCI as well as a choice official or two at city hall and JTA and ?? pulled strings. A combination of persons too powerful to suppress by ordinary means forced the Skyway forward and twisted the whole idea into a challenge to the Skyway's "obvious superiority," over light rail. Finally a well placed friend came to the house and suggested that I'd never work again unless I left Jacksonville! Though I left town for the benefit of my family, I never quit writing to Mayors, or Councilmen or anyone else that would listen. When the internet took over the supporters and myself ramped up the attack again... 5 historic streetcars were in the meanwhile destroyed by the COJ... we never let up. Today the streetcars have a funding mechanism. I'm back home and don't need their job's. Though we lost some battles, we are winning the war. Streetcars in 5 years - AMTRAK back downtown....

OCKLAWAHA

[Timkin]

Interestingly enough... less than a month ago , I wrote to both the Florida Trust AND the national trust.  Not  a peep from either .

Will again begin voicing about all of our endangered landmarks, not just Annie Lytle School or FS#5,  but Genovar's , the 3 shotgun houses adjacent,  Springfield, etc.

I concur, Ock that we should continue to write, yell , scream, to anyone who will listen. Problem is, I think that it may be falling on deaf ears , and folks who either cannot read, do not care , or possibly both. (as cited by the numerous demolitions that have occurred over the years)

If these people do not care, we must find people who do and put them into the decision-making positions, whether it be local , State, or whatever.   Our attention for our historic fabric suffers horribly ,compared to other Cities/Countries in the world.

[MusicMan]

Would not this Fire House be a spectacular place for one of the new Brewery/Tap Rooms planned to open in our area?

[L.P. Hovercraft]

Would not this Fire House be a spectacular place for one of the new Brewery/Tap Rooms planned to open in our area?

+1

If Engine 15 Brewing Co. ever wanted to expand out of Jax Beach into the Downtown/Riverside area, this could be a really cool location for them.