from staff
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid’s West Adams Street building will get some much needed repairs thanks to a $50,000 grant from the State of Florida. The grant is from the State’s Division of Historical Resources and will go to repair the cornice of the JALA office building, commonly known as the Professional Building or Major B. Harding Center for Justice.
Over the years, the historic building’s cornice — the decorative molding below the roof — has deteriorated due to water intrusion. The $50,000 grant will be used to help repair the crumbling cornice.
“We are grateful to the State for its generous support,” said JALA Executive Director Michael Figgins. “By helping us maintain our historic office building, we will continue to serve the legal needs of thousands of the area’s working poor.”
JALA purchased the seven-story building in 1996. Built in 1914, the Harding Building was designed by architect Rutledge Holmes and represents the commercial high-rise architecture style known as the Chicago school or “Chicago Style.” Known as the forerunner of the modern skyscraper, Chicago Style buildings were used strictly in commercial applications consisting of straightforward designs and minimal ornamentation.
In 2003, The Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission designated the building a local landmark. With its historic designation, JALA is required to preserve the cornice instead of tearing it down and constructing a new one.