Greetings! Quick Question Regarding Abandoned M&M Grocery Bldg.

[binkitup]

Hi everyone!

I recently passed through Jacksonville and stumbled upon a building on N. Myrtle Avenue that I photographed for a project for college art class. I wanted to find out a little more information about the building, so I though this might be the best place to ask! The building in question is across the street from Duval Container Co. and features an 'M&M Grocery" sign. I see that at some point this building housed a grocery store, but does anyone know the purpose for which this building was constructed or any more history behind it? I have been looking on the internet for any past historical information, but haven't found much so far. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks!
-Baillie Conway

Augusta University - Augusta, Georgia

[thelakelander]

This building was completed in 1909. It is a part of what used to be Campbell Hill's commercial district. Click on the link for more info on the building and surrounding neighborhood's history:

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2015-feb-lost-jacksonville-honeymoon

[binkitup]

Awesome! Thank you so much for sharing the link!! 

[Ittiporng]

It's a very friendly greeting.

[thelakelander]

This building was torn down earlier this year. It's a grass lot now.

[lastdaysoffla]

This building was torn down earlier this year. It's a grass lot now.

No way! that was a nice building. That's a shame.

[thelakelander]

Just about everything is being quietly torn down over there. Both of the +100 year-old brick buildings in the image above have been razed in recent months. Due to the demolitions in Brooklyn and Campbell Hill (this neighborhood has less than 10 buildings left now), a small church recently reached out in hopes of helping them get their 92-year-old building landmarked.

[lastdaysoffla]

Shoot man they would have been good re-use candidates at the very least.

I wish we had an ordinance on the books stating that every demolition of a building over 100 years old had to go through a special committee or something.

[jaxnyc79]

What about a “Shaming Board”?  For all the blighted commercial properties in Jax, perhaps there could be an online bulletin board that shone a light on the property owners.  Maybe a weekly profile on First Coast News as well. 

It would be a warning to all those seeking to employ a buy-and-hold strategy, taking title to properties, marking them up in price, and just sitting around and waiting.  So what if the area looks like garbage and is taking everything around it to the dregs, the new owner lives elsewhere.  He’ll just wait it out until the city or state is forced to do something drastic, like cobbling together public funds for some sort of catalytic project. 

Is this too harsh?