by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
The Rhodes building, Wolfson Park and the Jacksonville Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum aren’t the only downtown buildings slated for demolition in the name of progress. The Old Armory, located at 107 N. Market St., also known as the Lanier Building, is also on the chopping block.
Built in 1955, the building has been used for several different purposes over the years, most recently as the home of the Police & Fire Pension Fund offices, which has since renovated the building at the corner of Ocean and Adams streets. Prior to that, the building housed the Police & Fire communications center.
Ed Hall, the acting deputy director of Public Works, said the City owns the property where the Lanier Building stands and has planned to clear the site for some time.
“We have an order to demolish the Lanier Building,” said Hall. “The Hammond Building, which was next door, has already been demolished. That was done in the last three or four weeks.”
The almost 30,000 square-foot building is currently assessed at just over $839,000. According to a change order submitted to City Council for approval by Public Works Director Lynn Westbrook, the demolition will cost just over $500,000. However, because of the floor plan and age of the building, it would cost a developer much more to renovate the building than it would to build another facility. With little historical value, the Lanier Building will soon become another victim the wrecking ball.
“We are just waiting to get some fiber optics disconnected,” said Hall, adding that he was unaware of any immediate plans for the property. “We own both properties. I don’t know if there are any plans for the site.”
Hall did say he thought the City would allow the property to be used as a parking lot until it’s sold to a private developer or redeveloped by the City. The block is located near where City officials have speculated an Entertainment District may eventually be built.
“We will take down the building and probably use it as temporary parking until we decide what to do,” said Hall. “The building vacant is not an asset. This has been planned for a long time.”