by Richard Prior
Staff Writer
The River City Band is certain that it and the City can make beautiful music together, if they can just get past one sour note.
The note is for a $650,000 loan to the band that the City approved in July 2000 through a federal Community Development Block Grant. It was secured with a letter of credit from Oceanside Bank.
The money is being used for renovations at the former Snyder Memorial Methodist Church, 226 N. Laura St. It is paying for renovations and for establishing the band’s headquarters, performance space and music education programs.
Despite two one-year extensions, the band has been unable to reduce the loan. On Aug. 1, it was in default of a $133,333 partial payment.
Oceanside Bank’s board of directors is being asked to consider another extension, this time for six months. The decision may be made as early as today, said Dick Brown, mayor of Neptune Beach and president of the River City Band Volunteer Board.
“Looking back, it was a pretty ambitious undertaking for us to try to raise $650,000 in one year to retire that loan,” said Brown. “But we had a strong relationship with the City, and there was some discussion that the loan could possibly be converted into a grant.
“I don’t think the City has ruled out working with us on some ownership arrangement, but we need time for more discussion.”
For the City to take over the building, it would have to do more than agree it’s a fine idea, said John Alderson, director of administration and project support for the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission.
“We have to receive all the facts from RCB about their concept,” he said. “There’s a lot more involved than just taking over the building.
“There are some unpaid liens. We haven’t inspected the building. A lot of due diligence would have to be done before the staff could intelligently bring a package to our commission. The RCB will have to take the lead in presenting that package.”
The 29-member RCB plays a big band format and, occasionally, as a brass band. Having been designated the “Official Band of the City of Jacksonville” provides a measure of satisfaction, but it hasn’t helped much with fund raising.
“We’ve been told before that, with the designation of the official band, it already sounds like [we’re] City-supported,” said Brown. “It’s misleading when we’re out fund raising.”
The RCB still owes the original loan but has been responsible for an estimated $800,000 in improvements to the property. These “very substantial projects,” Brown said, include a sprinkler system, new wiring and plumbing work, an air conditioning system and structural work in the foundation.
Stage lights and a stage build-out have also been finished.
There is a $200,000 lien against some of that work. The Historic Preservation Board approved a $285,000 grant for the band, which contracted for more improvements. However, it was not given final approval by the State Legislature.
“I think [the legislature] funded 11 projects this time,” said Brown. “They have reported to us that we would be in order for approval next time without having to reapply.”
The times and circumstance have conspired against the band’s ability to raise the money it has sought over the past three years, said Brown.
“Some of the foundations and members of the corporate community have pulled back because of the economy,” he said. “We’re also in competition for fund raising in the community and with other historic preservation projects.
“We realize we have to make our case, and there’s only so much money to go around. Our selling job will be to urge the City not to give up control of the property.
“It’s just too important to throw it to the bank, which will have to do the prudent thing and sell it.”
Robert Arleigh White, executive director of the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, stressed the importance of the proper decision.
“It is our hope that under these circumstances those leaders who are empowered to make this decision will consider carefully all of the options available to them in light of the profound range of services that the St. Johns River City Band makes available to all of us — citizens and taxpayers — in Northeast Florida.”
The former church is a historic landmark that was caught in the fire of 1901. It was rebuilt and reopened in November 1903.
The RCB became interested in the property in 1999 when it learned that the Methodist District was trying to sell it and put the proceeds into “fast-moving areas of the suburbs,” Brown said.
“It was being used as a homeless shelter, which some felt was unsuitable for a redeveloped downtown Jacksonville,” he said.
A real estate analyst said the District would probably get the biggest payoff if a parking lot went on the site.
“I don’t think that was ever a serious recommendation, but it was suggested,” said Brown.
Because of the building’s historic value, the improvements that have already been made and the overall character of downtown redevelopment, the RCB would like to see the City take it over, even if the band is not the major tenant.
“I think it’s important the City control that piece of property, even if we’re not the proper tenant to occupy it,” said Brown. “I’m not a musician, but I’m excited about what the Snyder Building can be for downtown.
“We’re in a key location. You have a major cultural addition in the Museum of Modern Art and the library going up. A music hall is very adaptable. The City should have a keen interest in what goes on in that corner.”