Despite the efforts we’ve made in historic preservation, there are some buildings that are still a source of concern for us at Downtown Vision. While we’re very fortunate here in Jacksonville to have a number of beautifully renovated historic buildings, we need to ensure that our entire community is working together to preserve what remains.
Renovation Progress
Over the past two decades, Downtown Jacksonville has seen the renovation of a number of historic buildings in the core of Downtown, which adds to the rich fabric of our city. We commend the City of Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Historic Preservation Committee, and property owners for their efforts in renovating so many of these landmarks, including:
Elks Building
Old Federal Reserve Building
Western Union/MOCA
Greenleaf Building
The Carling
11 East Forsyth
W.A. Knight
Florida Theatre
City Hall/St. James
Central Fire Station
Dyal Upchurch
Holmes Building
Warehouse/Suddath Building
Churchwell Building
Together these buildings provide Downtown Jacksonville with a competitive edge that few other Florida cities have. It’s a compliment we hear over-and-over from out of town and local visitors alike – how surprised they are at the number of historic buildings Downtown. It’s certainly one aspect of our city that makes any visit here memorable. However, there are numerous historic buildings currently in decline Downtown.
Buildings of Concern
Seminole Club
Marble Bank Trio
Ambassador Hotel
Snyder Memorial Church
Haydon Burns Library
MACEO Elk’s Lodge on Broad Street
We can’t afford to let these buildings deteriorate and face demolition. For additional information and to learn about how you can join the conversation, please see our previous post about the importance and economic impact of historic buildings to Downtown.
If you haven’t yet discovered the rich history of Downtown Jacksonville’s buildings, consider participating in a Jacksonville Historical Society tour. You can reach them at http://www.jaxhistory.com/ or 904.665.0064.