by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
It’s full steam ahead for the new $95 million Downtown Library.
The Historic Preservation Commission voted Wednesday night not to designate three of downtown Jacksonville’s oldest buildings as landmark status. The decision allows the City to demolish the Rhodes and LaRose buildings and it enables them to proceed with the design competition process for the new library.
“We had a public hearing and the Commission recommended that the buildings not be designated landmark,” said Joel McEachin of the City’s Planning and Development Division. “There are seven criteria and they went through each one. People voted different ways, but in the end they decided against landmark status.”
The HPC is comprised of seven members with architect Ken Smith serving as the chairman. McEachin said there were only five members present at Wednesday’s meeting. The City presented its case on each of the seven criteria, then waited for the vote. McEachin said the vote had to be at least 4-1 on at least four of the seven criteria in order for the HPC to make a decision either way.
Mayor John Delaney’s chief of staff Audrey Moran said Wednesday afternoon that she felt good about the City’s position.
“Our objection [to landmark status] is based on architectural feasibility,” said Moran. “We are building a new landmark library.”
Susan Tate and Herschel Shepard — experts on historic preservation from the University of Florida — spoke to the Commission on behalf of the City. Shepard, a former member of the HPC, told the Commission that landmark designation for the three buildings would ultimately do more harm than good.
“If you landmark these three buildings then you diminish the landmarking status,” he said, adding that he had looked at their long-range agenda and could see that there are other downtown buildings that certainly deserved landmark status and should be the focus of their attention.
“I think we put on a credible case and the Commission agreed with us,” said Moran.
On Dec. 17, four architectural firms will present their library designs at the University of North Florida. Things will move quickly after that. Moran said Delaney would like to select a design by the end of that week and begin construction as soon as possible.
“There are foundation issues and we will build the parking garage first,” said Moran. “We need to be able to park the construction workers and to do site work also. The mayor has asked that we move as expeditiously as possible and we will.”
Moran said she appreciated the Commission taking the time to listen to the City’s side of the debate and she does not envy the decision they had to make.
“I think the best part is each Commission member listened carefully and then they made their decision,” said Moran. “They have a hard job and we appreciate their time.”