Demolition in Five Points?

[thelakelander]

How you manage to find so many pertinent photos so quickly is a miracle to me

A mix of memory from trips in the past and Metro Jacksonville's City Comparison photo archives.  After three years of building up the site's database, we have images that cover just about every urban issue that comes up in Jacksonville.

[grimss]

At this rate, you're going to give Wayne Wood a run for his money. At last count, his building photo database was something like 20,000 structures.

[Ocklawaha]

About 30 years ago, a baby RAP and Streetcar Movement, lost the old Power House, the Car Barns (the ones that jumped in the way of the new Acosta Bridge ramps - until the project was done then had a knee slapping moment - "Oops, didn't hit the road after all --- let's build a Skyway facility there!") and a REAL almost perfect streetcar. All of that distruction within about 2 years. If it did nothing else, we all emerged from the battle's a bit stronger and wary of our City's "deals and projects."

I hope this is a case of we lost those battles and won the war. Let's win one for the pharmacy too!

OCKLAWAHA

[exnewsman]

As a resident in the area I am not against the builidng being used (properly and reasonably). I wouldn't consider a big box pharmacy either -especailly if there don't plan on re-use of the structure.  As for other usage - there is a decent amount of on-site parking behind the building - but getting cars in/out of that section of Margaret Street on onto Riverside Ave will be problematic in its best light.

This location certainly doesn't compare to an area like King/Park where you have a bit more space liek with the Walgreens (although I'm not a fan of the building design in that neighborhood either).  I don't understand the corporate need to "develop" rather than "re-develop" a site location.  Except taht its the easy way out.

[jaxlore]

been to that Detroit CVS on several occasions, will probably be visiting memorial day weekend. Lets hope some sort of compromise can be reached we need more historic conversions and less "that looks historic but really isn't".

[Hurricane]

Exnewsman - Keep in mind what a big box retailer is usually most interested in - the bottom line. 

By knocking down an old building and starting from scratch, they know exactly what that will cost.  By trying to renovate an old building, they will be working with a huge unknown as to how much they will spend as there can be some massive structural, plumbing, and electrical costs that could easily make the project come to a halt (20 West Adams as an example).  Plus, by building a new standard store, they have tweaked the prototype design of the store in order to most efficiently utilize every square foot.  If they renovate, they will lose all of those efficiencies and have to pay more money for a new design.

With all that being said, hopefully the retailer will realize that the public wants them to renovate and not demolish.  The main way they would not demolish is if they realized that they would be causing an uproar in the community if they went through with it. 

[grimss]

If things worked the way they're supposed to, this wouldn't get past the Historic Preservation Commission. These are contributing structures and perfectly sound, and so HPC would deny the application, and then the Planning Commission and LUZ would respect that decision--not to mention the Historic District Overlay--and the developer would have to look elsewhere for a place for his big box store.  Unfortunately, one can't always assume the city will follow its own rules . . .

[b real]

Good Article!

I'm a confused as to why they would want to build a pharmacy when we already have a locally owner pharmacy in 5 points and another one at the corner of Park and King? There is also a CVS on the corner of Park and King.....a short bike ride or drive from 5 points. How will another pharmacy contribute to the growth of 5 points?

[jaxlore]

its all competition especially if its cvs, they probably could care less about the locally owned pharmacy or walgreens and would hope to put them out of business if it was up to them/

[rjp2008]

I have no problem with the plan. There are enough old and musty buildings in that area as it is.

[Steve]

Remind me to exterminate some senior centers too - the people there are old and musty as well.

Seriously, this is the point of a historic district.  The area is not hsitoric because of Publix's building.

BTW, the pharmacy at Park and King is a Walgreen's, so my guess is this is CVS.

[reednavy]

The pharmacy at Park and King is a Walgreen's, not CVS.

Rjp, you're in the extreme minority on this one, plus you're reasoning has no merit really.

Besides CVS, it could be a RiteAid, that's my only other guess.

[JeffreyS]

Hopefully it will be a 24hour job in the existing building.

[b real]

Why demolition a well built historic building to build a box that in years to come will look old/rundown maybe left vacant until it is demolished to build another box in its place? Doesn’t seem very "green" or right for the community....

[JeffreyS]

^If it has survived this long without looking rundown or at all vacant why can't it be kept in good condition for years to come.
If you want a brand new suburban CVS I think you should have one and luckily Jax has numerous gentrified suburbs where you can find them enjoy.