Demolition of the Elena Flats apartment building was denied — or at least delayed — Wednesday when the Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission voted to request City Council consider designating it a local historic landmark.
The vote was unanimous following comments from the public during which advocates for preservation lobbied to save the building, while one speaker said it’s a safety hazard.
The owner, Jimmie Clark Jr., did not attend the hearing.
He applied for a permit in December to demolish the building.
The recommendation for preservation means the permit is denied pending final action by council.
Joel McEachin, city Historic Preservation Section supervisor, said based on the building’s age and its significance in terms of architecture and Jacksonville history qualified Elena Flats for preservation.
Built shortly after the Great Fire of 1901, the entire original interior of the two-story structure at 122 E. Adams St. is intact, including marble and tile floors, fireplaces, decorative staircases and skylights.
“The design and quality of materials is evident,” McEachin said.
However, the exterior is deteriorating due to leaks in the roof. Water intrusion has caused the brick veneer to break away from the wood frame structure in some areas.
Some of the leaded-glass windows are missing or in need of repair. The roof over the porch on the Duval Street side of the building also is showing signs of water damage.
Representatives from Springfield Revitalization and Preservation, and Preservation SOS lobbied for preservation.
Kim Pryor, representing Project SOS, said the organization would be willing to accept the building as a donation and then seek funding to restore it.
“Jacksonville is rich in history. Structures like this should be relished and not torn down,” she said.
The lone voice at the public hearing in favor of demolition belonged to Beth Fleet, who works in the Supervisor of Elections Office, located along Monroe Street behind Elena Flats.
She said she supports historic preservation, but over the past 10 years, she has observed vagrants trespassing on the property as well as what she described as “rabid animals” in and around the building.
Fleet said the building appears to be collapsing from the
inside and that she fears the building could collapse onto the elections office or onto the nearby Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.
“I think it’s gone too far,” she said. “It’s an accident waiting to happen.”
The commission will sponsor legislation to be introduced to council that would designate Elena Flats a local historic landmark and prevent the owner from demolishing the building.
McEachin said the owner has 14 days to appeal the commission’s decision.
“He may well appeal it,” he said.
Steps to gaining historic designation
To qualify as a local landmark, a structure must be at least 50 years old and meet at least two of the following:
• Have value as a significant reminder of the cultural, historical, architectural or archaeological heritage of the city, state or nation.
• Be the site of a significant local, state or national event.
• Be identified with a someone who significantly contributed to the development of the city, state or nation.
• Be identified as the work of a master builder, designer or architect who has influenced the development of the city, state or nation.
• Have value recognized for the quality of its architecture and retain sufficient elements showing its architectural significance.
• Have distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style valuable for the study of a period, method of construction or use of indigenous materials.
• Be suitable for preservation.
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