The word "heartbreaking" is apt. Jacksonville used to have a dense, vibrant core. Unfortunately, most of those structures were given the wrecking ball. Here is my favorite structure of yesteryear.
Same it was torn down.
![[Image: Old%20Post%20Office-XL.jpg]](http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Architecture/Lost-Jacksonville/i-kx4k8fj/0/XL/Old%20Post%20Office-XL.jpg)
Quote:The word "heartbreaking" is apt. Jacksonville used to have a dense, vibrant core. Unfortunately, most of those structures were given the wrecking ball. Here is my favorite structure of yesteryear.
Same it was torn down.
I know!!! I see those pictures of the awesome things they tore down back in the day that are now just empty lots and it breaks my heart!!!
I love old buildings and the history that they tell...it's the main reason I live here in Riverside!
Quote:The building above is the old post office.
Here's a whole slide of buildings that we lost.
<a class="bbc_url" href='http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-jan-lost-jacksonville/page/'>http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-jan-lost-jacksonville/page/</a>
All that beauty torn down...makes me want to cry.
Really cool video thanks for sharing! Makes you wonder how did it all go wrong? When did downtown Jacksonville become such a dead zone?
Quote:Really cool video thanks for sharing! Makes you wonder how did it all go wrong? When did downtown Jacksonville become such a dead zone?
mid '60's I'm told. Many businesses moved to the burbs.
At the time this was shot we were in the midst of quickly ramping up the war effort. Just a little historical perspective there. Kind of makes you wonder how many of those Marines shown in formation in the shot of Pensacola were lost on the beaches of the Pacific.
Did I see a billboard for Jax beer?
Yeah that stuff is pretty cool. I like looking at pictures of the older architecture up here too. I concur that some of the places torn down never should have been.
Quote:Yeah that stuff is pretty cool. I like looking at pictures of the older architecture up here too. I concur that some of the places torn down never should have been.
My theory is that with the advent of air conditioning, efficiency ratings, and OSHA standards, developers were faced with what was more economically feasible: retrofitting the old, or rebuilding.
Quote:My theory is that with the advent of air conditioning, efficiency ratings, and OSHA standards, developers were faced with what was more economically feasible: retrofitting the old, or rebuilding.
The problem is that a huge majority of those places were torn down with nothing replacing them. That's why there are so many empty lots down town right now.
The owners of the building with the jag murals in the windows are trying to get the city to let them tear down that building so they can sell the lot...although, they've had several offers on the building that they have turned down for one reason or another. Their main complaint is the building is in complete disrepair...which they themselves have caused by owning the building for decades and not doing a thing to keep it in shape. :blink:
If you're paying $40,000 per year on property tax on a developed lot with no rental income because the business prospects are in the suburbs then tearing down a building in disrepair to pay $2000 per year on undeveloped property seems wise.
There's a lot of factors involved. Do you move retail stores in the downtown area to attract residential development or do you develop residential areas downtown to attract retail? It's a real problem. I wouldn't move my business downtown in the hopes residents will come later. I want to be sure there are enough residents first so I have a reasonable expectation of making it work.
Regards........................the Chiefjag