Following are several photo collected over the last day of what will ultimately be a blank. empty lot in an already vacant spot in the City of Jacksonville. Having served on the Historic Preservation Committee for a local National Historic Board of Directors, Ive had the pleasure of talking about lots of historic properties with homeowners and prospective homeowners, and business owners. Even had the pleasure of reviewing plans of Uptown Market with Bill Cesery several years ago. My involvement brought me very close to working with the Historic Council with the COJ. Twice I was nominated as candidate to serve on Jacksonvilles Historic Preservation Commission, but believe self interests by others prevented that. Its always very sad to see a piece of Jacksonville history lost and the lost of the Davis Building at 638 West Forsyth is just one great example of how property owners holding on to these few lost treasures in our city disrespect the history of Jacksonville by not maintaining their properties and letting them fall to neglect. ive seen some properties in Jacksonville that were in such deplorable conditions, that demolition seemed like the answer but Ihave seen visionaries like Steve Williams and many others take something like this and built back to something great. It takes Creativity, Time and Money. In some instances it just doesnt make financial sense, but that doesnt ever mean it cant be done. Id rather see someone with energy and creativity take on one of these projects to let the current owners let it continue to be neglected. They serve us no purpose. I know the City of Jacksonville Fire Department did everything they could, but upon their arrival the structure was too gone and engulfed in flames and was a safety hazardous for our firemen to enter the structure. With owner neglect there is also a responsibility to keep the property secure from vagrants entering. In those situations, it unfortunately leads to situations like the loss of The Davis Building. Another sad day for Jacksonville.
Posted on: Sun, 30 Nov 2014 01:51:28 +0000