When the Great Fire of 1901 wiped out what was then our Downtown, heralded architects Henry Klutho and Edward H. Glidden led a rebirth of the charred city center — much like a phoenix rising from the ashes.
Three buildings, now called the Laura Street Trio, designed by these two must have inspired a community in the early 1900s that was devastated by the Great Fire.
Last week, we finally received the long-awaited news that the Laura Street Trio and old Barnett Bank Building in the city's heart might actually come back to life after sitting empty and deteriorating for more than a decade.
Is lightning about to strike twice in Downtown Jacksonville?
The importance of this development for the entire community cannot be overstated.
Since it was reported that a group led by Jacksonville developer Steve Atkins has purchased the historic buildings with plans to restore them to their century-old glory, there has been a buzz about Downtown that I have not seen in a long time.
It's as if Atkins and his team have managed to send a giant spark into the core of the city, which makes it only fitting he intends to reveal his detailed plans for the buildings during Downtown's One Spark festival next week.
Let's talk about the importance of the four buildings.
The oldest is the former Florida National Bank, which many refer to as the Marble Bank, on the corner of Forsyth and Laura streets.
In 1902, shortly after the Great Fire flatted the city core, Glidden designed the building in the Classical Revival style.
In 1916 it was renovated to include a large room with a skylight, but during a 1950 refurbishing the ceilings were dropped, covering the skylight and the plaster detailing.
In 1976, then as the Jacksonville National Bank, the lowered ceilings were removed and the building was restored to its grand appearance.
The second building constructed, the Bisbee Building, was designed by Klutho in the Prairie Style and built next to the Marble Bank building on Forsyth Street.
It opened in 1908-09 as a 10-story high rise, the first in Jacksonville.
There are three interesting historical facts about the Bisbee Building: it was designed to be only 26 feet wide, but the high demand for office space spurred the owner to have Klutho double the width; it was the first reinforced concrete high rise in the Southeast; and it was in a race against two other 10-story buildings to become Jacksonville's first skyscraper.
The second Klutho-designed building is the Florida Life Building, which opened in 1911-12. It faces Laura Street and is next to the back wall of the Marble Bank.
Another Klutho masterpiece, the St. James Building, was restored during former Mayor Ed Austin's administration. Today it is City Hall on Hemming Plaza. When it opened, the Florida Life Building was the tallest in town.
The former Barnett Bank Building, which has been closed for more than a decade, sits at the corner of Laura and Adams streets. With 14 stories, it opened in 1926 as the tallest building in Jacksonville.
The structure was built by the same contractor, James Stewart Co., that constructed Madison Square Garden in New York City.
This is not the first attempt to bring these iconic structures back to life.
Mayor John Delaney recognized their significance in 2002 when he had the City purchase the Laura Street Trio with a plan to sell them to a private developer.
Atkins is a Jacksonville native with a passion and a vision for his hometown. He has been working on this deal since 2010, when he first proposed a $70 million plan to restore the four buildings.
By pulling off the purchase of the four buildings from the city for $3 million — with a financial loan and political boost from Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan — he is now off and running.
I've spent some time with Atkins. We talked about all of Downtown and what it takes. I've heard his plans and I've experienced that passion.
I do believe this is the real deal.
I can't wait to hear and see the details Atkins and his team unveil next week. Just this first piece of news has been like a shot of adrenalin to those of us who believe if we unlock the potential of our Downtown, it will make Jacksonville a top-tier city.
But, let's not be naïve. While bringing these four historic buildings to their original grandeur and then filling them with office workers, restaurants and residents is a great step, it is only a step.
There is much to do, which means the rest of us can't just sit around as spectators.
When these buildings reopen, we can't let their value be stifled by the environment around them. When people walk out on the street, they have to see Downtown as an exciting place to be.
There are many organizations with good intentions and some great work is being done to fill lingering voids, but we all need to row in the same direction and change perceptions.
We need bold leadership to address issues, from enforcement to homelessness and encourage pioneers, entrepreneurs and small business.
We need real leadership to revitalize the 25-year-old Jacksonville Landing, which Atkins calls the "crown jewel" of Downtown; clean up Hemming Plaza; save and restore the Bostwick Building; and implode the old courthouse and former City Hall on the riverfront so they can become economic and entertainment engines that contribute to Jacksonville's quality of life.
As for lightning striking twice Downtown — I have heard the clap of thunder. And I welcome it.
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