1534 Oak Street Breaks Ground

[Allan D]

There was also a crowd of about 20 on the Chew lot surveying the site and talking about various things

CZ - we were with JEA talking about the power poles and lines that are coming down on Margaret and the new streetscape lighting on Oak Street.

[Allan D]

Hopefully JEA puts all the powerlines underground down the whole block.

We got as far as the dental office.

[outofhere]

How did you get JEA to agree to underground? Are you guys paying for it?

[Dog Walker]

It looks as if they are going to spare the beautiful old oak tree right at the corner of Oak and Margaret. Thank you for help saving our tree canopy. This tree is a very important part of our neighborhood's unique look and appeal.

Sorry, it's gone.  Went by a short while ago and there was nothing left but the remains stacked up ready to be hauled away.

[ubben]

It's incredibly disheartening to see today that these people cut down the century old oak tree that stood at the corner of Margaret and Oak. This Live Oak was on the very far edge of the property in the public right of way and while yes the lot is small, this tree could have, and should have, been saved. The people of Riverside Avondale actually really like having their tree canopy and this oak in particular was a majestic old-timer--one of the last remaining in Five Points. Our tree canopy is what makes our neighborhood charming and different than so much of Florida's ugly strip mall development. It's hard to believe that the architects and owners could be so out of touch. It's one big F.U. to those of us who appreciate our neighborhood. This was a very, very poor start to this project. Shame on the developers.

[Kiva]

It's incredibly disheartening to see today that these people cut down the century old oak tree that stood at the corner of Margaret and Oak. This Live Oak was on the very far edge of the property in the public right of way and while yes the lot is small, this tree could have, and should have, been saved. This was a very, very poor start to this project. Shame on the developers.

Particularly in Jacksonville developers and trees do not seem to coexist.

[ubben]

Just changed our dinner plans for next weekend from Chew to Bistro Aix. Everyone I know is really upset to see Chew's developers cut down that graceful old oak tree.

[Dog Walker]

As bad as that is, what JEA's out of control contractor does to our canopy in the historic district is much worse.  We've got two years to keep it from happening again.

[fieldafm]

I personally don't have a problem with the tree being removed.  I don't say that lightly.

And the Insettas aren't exactly you're typical Jacksonville strip mall developers.  They've done some very good work in the neighborhood.

The place is a complete wreck inside.  Rain got in an ruined the floors upstairs.  All of the HVAC, electric and plumbing and all of the interior walls will have to be replaced.  For safety code reasons, the upstairs can only be used for storage without putting in an elevator, larger stairs and a sprinkler system.

Somebody is going to have to put in $400k-$500k to do anything with it.  The owner, who lives in Richmond, has been reluctant to sell it, too, but is probably willing to do so now.  It is a fantastic location and a neat looking building.

There was a thread awhile back about this building.  I don't think many people who posted in there understood what kind of shape the building is in.  On top of a steep rent tag, anyone would also have to pay for their own rehab of the building(the owner does not want to build to suit).  That's on top of the cost to buy inventory, fixtures, POS, legal fees, etc.  It would take a grip of money to open a business there, and on top of that you don't even own the building.  Best case scenario is the current owner bends and sells the building for cheap... however unlikely that appears.

It's ashame the owner let that old girl rot.  It was once a very majestic building.  Every Christmas we get to hear the story of my uncle going down to the Five and Dime and buying everyone's Christmas present with 20 cents, right before we open presents. 

[Dog Walker]

The owner, who is a very nice lady BTW, is not in a financial position to rehab the building or do a custom build out.  She is attached to the building as her grandparents built it for Woolworth's.  I think she has reconciled herself to selling the building since she cannot save it.

She is litigation right now with the insurance company of the roofer who left the roof open to the rain.  Perhaps when that is settled, she will put the building on the market.  I hope she is realistic about the price she can get for it given the current market and the condition of the building.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Have there been any more updates on the construction?  Haven't been by there in a while.

[floridaforester]

Just changed our dinner plans for next weekend from Chew to Bistro Aix. Everyone I know is really upset to see Chew's developers cut down that graceful old oak tree.

I agree.  I will not be supporting either Chew or Orsay any longer.  That they would destroy that tree is completely antithetical to what this neighborhood is all about.   I'm pretty disgusted about it especially considering that it was the only tree species worth saving on the lot  (all the others were laurel oaks) AND it was located at the very point of the lot so that it would not have hindered their plan and IMO would have enhanced the overall aesthetic of the building.   Also the fact that they took out all of the trees except for the live oak and then came back 3 days later to take it out seemed like a big FU to the n'hood.

There are plenty of other restaurants whose owners respect this neighborhood and whom I will continue to support.

[ChriswUfGator]

As bad as that is, what JEA's out of control contractor does to our canopy in the historic district is much worse.  We've got two years to keep it from happening again.

We don't have two years, that damned JEA was just out again butchering the hell out of a 100 year-old live oak on Park street about 1000 yards east of the A&P gas station. It looks like Charlie Brown's christmas tree now, a bunch of glaring sunlight on the road, etc., where there was a nice canopy before.

At this rate, if we wait two years to do something about JEA's actions, there won't be any trees left.

[ubben]

Did JEA 'trim' that Live Oak on Park or was it the property owner? I'd like to know. I've never seen anything so horribly executed--until Chew Restaurant destroyed one of the last Century Oaks in Five Points last week. At least the tree on Park has a chance to regrow some branches in the next few decades.

I'm sorry that RAP and our local city council member is not out raising holy hell about the systematic ruin of our tree canopy. I'd be curious to know what RAP did to try and save the live oak that Insenetta/Chew Restaurant chopped down. I got my RAP renewal letter in the mail last week. I'm considering tossing it in the trash.

[ChriswUfGator]

Did JEA 'trim' that Live Oak on Park or was it the property owner? I'd like to know. I've never seen anything so horribly executed--until Chew Restaurant destroyed one of the last Century Oaks in Five Points last week. At least the tree on Park has a chance to regrow some branches in the next few decades.

I'm sorry that RAP and our local city council member is not out raising holy hell about the systematic ruin of our tree canopy. I'd be curious to know what RAP did to try and save the live oak that Insenetta/Chew Restaurant chopped down. I got my RAP renewal letter in the mail last week. I'm considering tossing it in the trash.

It was JEA on the Oak on Park street. If you think that is bad, look at really any of the trees JEA 'trims.'