Author Topic: Help Save the Annie Lytle  (Read 14271 times)

Metro Jacksonville

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Help Save the Annie Lytle
« on: December 05, 2006, 12:00:00 AM »
Help Save the Annie Lytle



Today, at 5:00pm, the Annie Lytle School's future will be decided by the Land Use   Zoning Commission.  Help keep one of Brooklyn's few remaining historic buildings standing, by emailing a letter opposing the destruction of this Jacksonville landmark.  We've torn down enough already.  Now its time to stand up and save significant parts of our history.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/267

Lu

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Nah
« Reply #1 on: December 05, 2006, 10:33:09 AM »
I'm sorry but this one is an eye sore. I have to disagree on saving it. We should just let this one go. Brooklyn doesn't need historic buildings it needs revitalization by way of totally new construction.

thelakelander

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I challenge you....
« Reply #2 on: December 05, 2006, 11:28:18 AM »
to find one vibrant US inner city that got to that point, by demolishing its history in favor of complete new construction.  Right here locally, we attempted that route and the result is a downtown filled with more surface parking and vacant lots than buildings, that still struggles to attract street level development, while falling further behind it's peers in the process.  We also lost most of Brooklyn and all of LaVilla and Suger Hill trying this and still have nothing to show for it, other than the fact that we're successful at creating urban prairies.  Before we label the Lytle an eyesore, remember the May-Cohens Building, 11 East and the Carling were considered eyesores as well.  Now that they've been restored, they're some of the most beautiful and unique architectural tresures standing in a town filled with newly constructed cheap stucco boxes.  If Jax wants to jump the hump of mediocrity, having a little long term vision would be a great place to start.
"A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.” - Muhammad Ali

!

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AMEN
« Reply #3 on: December 05, 2006, 01:34:41 PM »
thelakelander is 100% correct. If there is one thing I've noticed on all of these comparisons that metrojax has done, it's that all of the cities that make us look like rookies have historical buildings everywhere. I even made a comment on that weeks ago. Old structures are renovatated and new structures surround them in other cities. Jax on the other hand is either a new structure or a parking lot and our city looks sad compared to the other cities.

zkmdf

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« Reply #4 on: December 05, 2006, 01:58:35 PM »
Not a bad looking building that would look fantastic after a refurbishing. However its location appears to be a problem.

Ayesha Covington

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« Reply #5 on: December 05, 2006, 02:02:21 PM »
I neigborhood has stood in the middle of what the city would like to do for years. Now the vulgars begin the process of cleaning our bones. I wonder what we will have left in 20 years if we continue at this pace.

Jimmy Midyette, Jr.

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« Reply #6 on: December 05, 2006, 04:49:35 PM »
I disagree with the first comment.  I agree whole-heartedly with Ms. Covington.  Here is my letter:

Dear Chairwoman Self and Honorable Members of the LUZ Committee:

I write today to ask that you uphold the decision of the Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission and continue to deny the application of Foundation Holding IV, Inc. to demolish the old public school number 4 building, affectionately known to all as the Annie Lytle School. The old schoolhouse is a treasure of Jacksonville's architectural heritage and should be preserved for our posterity. As one of the few remaining structures in the Brooklyn neighborhood, the Annie Lytle School is a critical link for us to Jacksonville's vibrant past.

As we have seen with the senseless destruction in LaVilla, it is always easier to approve demolition than to be forward-thinking and visionary. Our civic leaders failed us during that time period as our historical inheritance was razed before our eyes. I beg your understanding and your attention to this matter. A beneficial use for the structure will be identified. I believe that the schoolhouse could serve a public purpose, potentially as a museum which honors Jacksonville history. Its close proximity to the Cummer Museum and Gardens, and the Five Points Arts District could easily create a synergistic effect that we can leverage for many important benefits.

As Brooklyn revitalizes and we continue to bring in new development, we must preserve some piece of Brooklyn's past. The site of the Annie Lytle could be the beginning of an historic district where other architectural or historically significant buildings are relocated from other areas of Brooklyn as we make way for developments like the Brooklyn Park housing initiative.

I know that there is currently no district councilmember to speak up on behalf of the Annie Lytle School. As someone who lives steps from the Annie Lytle and who is running to represent Brooklyn and all of District 9, please understand that I will work hard, whether I'm elected or not, to preserve this schoolhouse for our children and theirs. Please take whatever action is available to you to affirm the Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission and continue to deny any request for demolition of the Annie Lytle School building. I thank you for your time and thoughtful consideration of this request.


Respectfully submitted,

Jimmy Midyette, Jr., Esq.

Lunican

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deferred
« Reply #7 on: December 07, 2006, 12:20:08 PM »
Annie Lytle was deferred (due to the number of letters?).

Amy

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deferred ad infinitum
« Reply #8 on: December 18, 2006, 09:34:39 AM »
The deferment is semi-permanent, according to this article (http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=46366) that I found at the Daily Record. Because the build is listed as a Historic Landmark, it's nearly impossible to demolish it legally.

Any ideas for what they should DO with the building? Condos seems to be the only option they consider. I personally would NOT want I-10 outside of my condo windows, though.

Lunican

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Re: Help Save the Annie Lytle
« Reply #9 on: July 13, 2007, 07:45:17 AM »
Annie Lytle is about to be voted on:


7.  2006-24
 RESO-Q Appealing Final Order of Jax Historic Preservation Comm that denied Appl for COA-05-792 filed by Foundation Holding IV, Inc., for demolition of the Annie Lytle School at 1011 Gilmore St, Pursuant to Sec 307.204, Ord Code. (Dist 9-Fullwood) (Eller) (LUZ) (2 Ltrs of Opposition on File)

LUZ PH - 02/07/06 at 4:15 P.M.
 
 1. 1/10/2006 CO  Introduced: LUZ
 
     1/18/2006 LUZ Read 2nd & Rerefer
 
 2. 1/24/2006 CO Read 2nd & Rereferred; LUZ
 
     2/7/2006 LUZ Amend/Approve/ Granting the Appeal 5-1 (Shad)
 
 3. 2/14/2006 CO Rereferred; LUZ

thelakelander

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Re: Help Save the Annie Lytle
« Reply #10 on: July 13, 2007, 09:11:24 AM »
Both the Annie Lytle and Riverside Fire Station (both of which are first tier historical landmark worthy) are in danger of being demolished fairly soon.  Also some of the council are interested in getting rid of the Historic Commission altogether, which would make it quite simple to detonate what ever is left for who's ever whim of the day, no matter how foolish it may be.

Anyone interested in seeing these buildings preserved in some sort of shape or form and keeping the historic commission in tact, should let the council and mayor's office know of their wishes ASAP.  While a letter, email, call or two will probably be ignored by the majority, politicians tend to listen a little louder when a firestorm is created.  Also email the historic commission, as well.  They keep all letters regarding these situations on file as public record.

Agenda for Tuesday's LUZ meeting:
http://citycirc.coj.net/coj/LandUse/64-July-17-2007.htm

Quote
LAND USE & ZONING

COMMITTEE AGENDA


Tuesday, July 17, 2007

5:00 pm
Council Chambers, 1st Floor, City Hall
Dana M. Farris, Chief of Legislative Services

Michael Corrigan, Chair
Legislative Aide: Jessica Stephens

Clay Yarborough, Vice Chair
Legislative Aide: Marilyn Allen

Richard Clark
Mia Jones
E. Denise Lee
Art Shad
Jack Webb

Council contact information:

Quote
At Large Group 1 ~

Ronnie Fussell, Incumbent, Council VP 2007-2008
RonnieF@coj.net
630-1393


At Large Group 2 ~

Karl "Jay" Jabour
Jabor@coj.net
630-1381

At Large Group 3 ~

Stephen Joost (name did not appear on ballot)
Joost@coj.net
630-1396


At Large Group 4 ~

Kevin Hyde, Incumbent
KHyde@coj.net
603-1398


At Large Group 5

Glorious Johnson, Incumbent
GloriousJ@coj.net
630-1387


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

District 1 ~`

Clay Yarborough
Clay@coj.net
630-1389

District 2 ~

Bill Bishop
WBishop@coj.net
630-1392


District 3 ~

Richard Clark
RClark@coj.net
630-1386


District 4 ~

Don Redman
Redman@coj.net
630-1394

District 5 ~

Art Shad, Incumbent
AShad@coj.net
630-1382


District 6 ~

Jack Webb
Webb@coj.net
630-1388

District 7 ~

Johnny A. Gaffney
Gaffney@coj.net
630-1384

District 8 ~

Denise Lee (former council member)
EDLee@coj.net
630-1385

District 9 ~

Warren Jones (former council member)
WAJones@coj.net
630-1395


District 10 ~

Mia Jones, Incumbent
MJones@coj.net
630-1684


District 11 ~

Ray Holt
Holt@coj.net
630-1383

District 12 ~

Daniel Davis, Incumbent ~ Council President for 2007 - 2008
DDavis@coj.net
630-1380


District 13 ~

Art Graham, Incumbent
ArtG@coj.net
630-1387



District 14 ~

Michael Corrigan, Incumbent
Corrigan@coj.net
630-1390

Historic Commission contact information:

Quote
Joel McEachin
Strategic Planning Division
mceachin@coj.net
630-1900

"A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.” - Muhammad Ali

downtownparks

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Re: Help Save the Annie Lytle
« Reply #11 on: July 13, 2007, 10:54:12 AM »
Another overhead photo

Timkin

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Re: Help Save the Annie Lytle
« Reply #12 on: January 26, 2008, 12:54:16 AM »



 In this particular buildings case, demolition should never be allowed.  Not only should it be saved but the general public that is in favor of saving it ( and I do belive the numbers are growing ) should offer to help clean up this property.  The Building has a very blighted look in that vines and overgrowth cover half of the structure.  Just a massive clean out , clean up would NOT be expensive and would take away the "eyesore" effect , and possibly even curtail some of the continuous, non-stop breaking and entering , and destruction to the building by careless people. 

 I for one , would be more than happy to participate in such an effort.  Frankly I dont understand why the owners would object to having someone come in and do something positive, and potentially inexpensive so as to reduce the blightedness.  But it SEEMS they WANT it to look blight, so as to enhance the chances of demolition , by neglect.

 Until a solution is reached on its reuse, at least that could be done.  20-30 people could make a difference in just a couple weekends =)

  My idea may sound insane,,,,, but I mean it.

Timkin

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Re: Help Save the Annie Lytle
« Reply #13 on: March 03, 2008, 09:28:40 PM »
Currently...FDOT is completing work done on the site in front of the School, which includes Fencing the right of way, Replacing Trees and landscaping removed from the Annie Lytle Property to accomodate their Flyover construction, replacement of lighting, the Flag Pole and a new Flag.

 I am organizing a volunteer cleanup effort and assistance to grounds maintenance to the property,,which will include repairing vandalized fencing , as the effort , now in place to Redevelopment seems to hold credible promise.   

If a cleanup effort is done, those participate must sign a waiver, holding harmless the Foundation/owners. Or they would not allow it for liability reasons. I have learned that cleanup efforts have begun in the interior already.. for example, the collapsed portion of the Auditorium Roof has been cleaned up and the Auditorium Floor completely cleared.   Our effort will focus first on the outside, eliminating the ferns, overgrowth , trees and blighted rundown look. This effort will commence following FDOTS completion of its work.

 Keep your fingers crossed folks. I am hopeful that Annie Lytle is about to undergo her new Chapter in reuse!! :)

second_pancake

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Re: Help Save the Annie Lytle
« Reply #14 on: March 04, 2008, 10:15:26 AM »
Currently...FDOT is completing work done on the site in front of the School, which includes Fencing the right of way, Replacing Trees and landscaping removed from the Annie Lytle Property to accomodate their Flyover construction, replacement of lighting, the Flag Pole and a new Flag.

 I am organizing a volunteer cleanup effort and assistance to grounds maintenance to the property,,which will include repairing vandalized fencing , as the effort , now in place to Redevelopment seems to hold credible promise.   

If a cleanup effort is done, those participate must sign a waiver, holding harmless the Foundation/owners. Or they would not allow it for liability reasons. I have learned that cleanup efforts have begun in the interior already.. for example, the collapsed portion of the Auditorium Roof has been cleaned up and the Auditorium Floor completely cleared.   Our effort will focus first on the outside, eliminating the ferns, overgrowth , trees and blighted rundown look. This effort will commence following FDOTS completion of its work.

 Keep your fingers crossed folks. I am hopeful that Annie Lytle is about to undergo her new Chapter in reuse!! :)


Do you have an estimated time that this will take place?  And where/how do I get involved?
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