City Files Foreclosure Suit on Bostwick Building

[Metro Jacksonville]

City Files Foreclosure Suit on Bostwick Building



The City of Jacksonville has just filed suit against the owners of the historic Bostwick Building to foreclose on the City’s code enforcement lien on that property. Here is a copy of the Verified Complaint.

Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2013-nov-city-files-foreclosure-suit-on-bostwick-building

[Josh]

Boom.

[Tacachale]

WOW. Of course the owners are going to just keep fighting this at every step. What would happen with the water intrusion suite from the neighboring property owner?

[mbwright]

I think it is the first good thing Kimberly Scott has done, or at least signed.  I hope demo is off of the table.

[thelakelander]

Nice. I'd like to see more of this happen with many of our distressed properties.

[coredumped]

What this means is that the Bostwicks will have to pay the delinquent fines on the property or they will lost it.

They can well afford to pay the fines, but the questions is whether or not they think their property is worth the 60k in back fines that they owe or whether they want to continue paying the rolling fines.

So maybe they should have taken that offer from a few months ago?

[sheclown]

dang.

I hate the rolling fines, I hate the arbitrary nature of them.  I believe they have caused more damage to historic properties than termites and fire -- many properties in Springfield are forever poisoned with them -- can't get a mortgage, can't get a buyer -- folks run away and don't lock the door behind them.  That being said, I'm glad to see this option for the Bostwick Building.  As Jason so wonderfully proved at the LUZ meeting, the owners are demolishing by neglect.  As the brothers stated "we have the money to fix it up, it just doesn't make economical sense to do so." 

[strider]

I do not think this is a positive in any way.  Like the "emergency demolition" issues, this, the ability of Kimberly Scott to foreclose on what are often simply punitive rolling fines without just cause, is a scary "first".  Mr. teal said before, from what I have been told, that City Council would be the one to ask this be done.  That makes sense to me.  If the rolling fines are already there, then at least having to get permission from City Council is a great check and balance to insure the action is indeed for the greater good. Allowing Ms. Kimberly Scott, who has proven time and time again that nothing matters to her but her own agenda, is not the answer here.

Another thought is why is Jason Teal doing this for MCC?  Sherry Shaw, I believe, is the OGC representative these days. Even if Jason Teal asked Kimberly Scott to do this, what did Ms. Scott get in return?  How many other suits are being prepared that are not for the betterment of the public but to satisfy some need or agenda of Ms Scott?  What will she get to tear down in exchange for "saving" the bostwick if that is indeed her agenda here.

[Kay]

Guys, the Mayor's office, along with City Council, wants this building saved.  The only way to save it is to get it out of the Bostwick's hands.  They have time to sell it themselves if they are smart.

Kimberly Scott was told to sign the paper.  This is not her decision.  I think it is a necessary and brilliant move by the Mayor's office.

[Steve]

I think the issues in Springfield and this case are a little different. The main reason is that the city is on record saying this building is to be saved. They aren't doing that in Springfield. I wish they would, but that is for another thread.

Bottom line is that the city is not going to stop fining them as long as they own it, unless they fix it up.

[strider]

Guys, the Mayor's office, along with City Council, wants this building saved.  The only way to save it is to get it out of the Bostwick's hands.  They have time to sell it themselves if they are smart.

Kimberly Scott was told to sign the paper.  This is not her decision.  I think it is a necessary and brilliant move by the Mayor's office.

You don't want to awaken that sleeping giant.  This should have been done through City Council even if it took longer and was more awkward. Kimberly Scott got something for doing this, Jason Teal always seems to make sure she does.  And Ms Scott has proven time and time again that the rights of us tax payers mean nothing to her.  And anyone who thinks this issue with MCC is confined to only Springfield, they have not been paying attention.

That said, of course I agree the building should be saved.  I am just not sure of the price others will have to pay to do it this way when another, perhaps safer, way was initially proposed.

[tufsu1]

^ the heavyweights on City Council are enthusiastically supportive of this move

[PeeJayEss]

What if the City just wants control of this building so they can demolish it themselves? They don't want YOU to destroy the historic fabric when they have worked so hard to build a reputation for destroying historic buildings.

[Tacachale]

There comes a point when neglecting a property has consequences for your neighbors. In this case the Bostwick's neglect has gotten so bad they're neighbor has sued them for a water intrusion issue. It's hard to have much sympathy for them, they've brought this on themselves - letting the building deteriorate, not paying their fines, refusing to sell it to someone who'll take better care of it. My only real worry would be what happens with the water intrusion suite, and how long the owners will be able to fight the foreclosure before the building gets stabilized.

[Tacachale]

^ the heavyweights on City Council are enthusiastically supportive of this move

Perhaps they could file the necessary paperwork, separately from Kim Scott and our mayor, to satisfy the correct way it should be done?

Would the Council have the authority do do that? Either way if hate to see this turn into another Council-Mayor turf war.