by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
For the first time in years, there’s activity in the old Haverty’s Building on Laura Street across from City Hall. A large trash chute running from the ground to the fifth floor is attached to the southwest corner of the building. Is someone moving in? No, says the owner.
“I’m just getting it cleaned up,” said Philip A. Browning, owner of Atlanta-based Striton Properties.
Browning bought the building for $600,000 in 1981 as an investment and says it’s in a desirable spot.
“I have the advantage in that it’s in a unique location,” said Browning of the building that sits between City Hall, JEA, the Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art and the new $95 million main library and adjacent parking garage. “I don’t think it’s unreasonable to try to take advantage of that. I just want what I think the building is worth to me over a 20-year period.”
He has maintained that he has no intention of selling the building and that he’d prefer to renovate it and lease it to either the City or another business. The City, which would like to begin consolidating its offices closer to City Hall, has other ideas.
One March 12, Browning was served with papers informing him the City was proceeding with what’s called slow-take eminent domain proceedings. Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa explained that “slow-take” involves a judge and jury evaluating the property and deciding on a settlement value. The other option is to simply condemn the property, issue an order of taking and work with attorneys to reach a financial settlement.
“In slow-take, if we decide ‘no’ we can let it ride,” said Mousa. “If we decide ‘yes’ we can take it. It takes a lot longer.”
Browning maintains it would take a court order to get him to sell or relinquish the building.
“I have been served with a notice of eminent domain,” said Browning. “We can either work it out or litigate in court. The building has never been for sale. I bought it as an investment and I would prefer to renovate it and lease it. I have never objected to leasing it to the City.”
Mousa said leasing the building is a last resort.
“At this point in time, we would prefer to own it,” said Mousa. “But, you never know what the future holds.”