In a decision favoring proponents of historic preservation and revitalization in Arlington, the Jacksonville City Council voted unanimously Dec. 12 in favor of an ordinance designating the former Arlington Federal Savings & Loan building as a historic landmark.
Pending Mayor Donna Deegan’s signature – or an appeal of the decision by the property owner to Circuit Court – the Council’s 17-0 vote subjects any plans to demolish the 62-year-old building or alter its street-facing portions to a review for historic appropriateness.
The Council passed the legislation, Ordinance 2023-0701, without comment after it had been unanimously approved by the Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission and the Land Use and Zoning Committee.
Advocates for the legislation rallied to defend the building after its owner sought permission late last year to demolish it with plans to replace it with a car wash.
The proponents, including the advocacy group Old Arlington Inc., argued that the building could be preserved and resurrected as a bar, restaurant or similar business to attract people to Arlington and help make the neighborhood more attractive for business and residential growth.
Steve Matchett, president of Old Arlington Inc., said the Council’s vote provided affirmation of Arlington’s redevelopment strategy, a key element of which is protecting the mid-century modern architecture that is prevalent in the neighborhood.
The savings and loan building, at 930 University Blvd. N., is designed in the mid-century modern style and is distinguished by the triangle-and-diamond design of its precast concrete facade, which allows natural light to enter the windows while providing shading and protecting the interior of the building from solar heating.
It is the first building in Arlington and the first mid-century modern building in Jacksonville to receive historic protection.
The 5,068-square-foot, single-story structure was designed by Miami-based architect Edwin T. Reeder, whose work included numerous designs in the mid-century modern style. Among his projects was a remodeling of the former Central National Bank building at 404 N. Julia St. in Downtown Jacksonville, where a mid-century modern facade was added to the original facing.
The savings and loan is across University Boulevard from the former Town & Country Shopping Center that is being redeveloped as College Park.
Property owner Charles Tower planned to sell the savings and loan building to Take 5 Car Wash. He opposed the historic designation.
His attorney, Paul Harden, argued Dec. 5 before the Land Use and Zoning Committee that the building had deteriorated beyond suitability for renovation or reconstruction, one of the criteria the historic commission said the building satisfied.
He also said Tower purchased the building not knowing it might become subject to historic preservation, which Harden said would significantly reduce the market value of the property.
Matchett said neighborhood advocates hoped to work with Tower to find a new use for the building and possibly take advantage of funding from the city and the Renew Arlington Community Redevelopment Area to give the structure new life.
TDC Jax LLC bought the site in March 2021 for $650,000 from Ameris Bank, property records show. State corporate filings show Tower, of Jacksonville, and James Coleman of Middleburg lead the LLC.