by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
Tempers flared at City Hall Friday as advocates for LaVilla’s Brewster Hospital struggled to find common ground with architect Ted Pappas, who has an option to buy land where the historic building is located.
Pappas wants the hospital — Jacksonville’s first for African -Americans — moved a block and a half north to the corner of Jefferson and Monroe streets to make way for a new medical facility he plans to build.
However, historian Dianne Melendez, Brewster representatives and Council member Glorious Johnson want it to stay where it is and be restored as a museum. The group also feared the hospital, built in 1901, would not survive a move.
“My goal, my vision for LaVilla is that everything there can grow concurrently,” said Johnson. “I’d like to see everything come together at the same time so that it can be used as a place of historical value for the city.”
Pappas responded, saying, while he was interested in restoring Brewster Hospital, he was more focused on bringing “jobs and growth” to the area and has met with the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission and the Downtown Development Authority to make that clear.
“As a restoration architect, I can say I’m very interested in seeing Brewster Hospital restored,” said Pappas, “but I believe it should be moved to better fit in with rest of the community.
“Redeveloping LaVilla and bringing jobs to the area, which is a Federal Empowerment and Enterprise Zone, is in line with the City’s strategy.”
Mayor’s office spokesperson Susie Wiles said the City is “cognizant of the historical value of Brewster Hospital,” and it is prepared to comply with the terms of Pappas’ contract once finalized.
“The money is there to move it, and we will do that when we are asked to,” said Wiles. “I believe it will make it through a move.”
Pappas later responded to allegations that the jobs created by the proposed medical facility would go to individuals from outside of the community.
“Some jobs will be filled locally, and some won’t,” he said, “but that isn’t unlike many other businesses.”
Midway through the meeting, Council member Reggie Fullwood, whose district includes LaVilla, defended Pappas.
Fullwood said it was well within Pappas’ legal rights to buy property in LaVilla and to do what he wants with it.
“No one should be pointing the finger at Mr. Pappas,” said Fullwood. “He responded to a City [Request for Proposal], and he is entitled to purchase the land.”
Fullwood then questioned Johnson’s motives for not notifying him of the meeting or noticing it on the Council calender.
Johnson, who is serving her first term, was unaware of any wrongdoing on her part, saying she had reserved the conference room on the City calendar and anyone was free to attend.
As required by the Sunshine Law, Johnson must notice meetings only when other Council members are invited or expected to be present. Because Fullwood, who has previously clashed with Brewster representatives over the future for the hospital, was not included, he was in violation of the law and forced to leave.
“All I can say is that black people in this community are tired of having things taken away from them” she said. “I have heard several things from the black leaders that I have spoken with, and I wouldn’t be surprised by their reaction if something can’t be done.”