2007-988 should be returning! 2007-1207 was commented on at the council meeting on November 27th, and Glorious Johnson is bringing back 988 with modifications that would keep the station where it is, but that designates just the station, and a buffer around it, as historic so Fidelity can use the rest of the property while the station is saved. Read below, at the bottom of the page for the latest.
In 1897, before cars, refrigeration, electricity, indoor plumbing, telephones, or any of the many other modern conveniences we take for granted were around or commonplace, a fire station was built at 347 Riverside Avenue in Jacksonville, Florida. Horses pulled a wagon, and firefighters used hand powered pumps and buckets to extinguish fires. In 1901 Jacksonville burned to a cinder, and in response to turn of the century growth and need, the station was replaced with the two story yellow brick building you can still see standing there today. Back then sailing ships with white sails filled the Saint Johns River, cars and electricity and phones, which were new inventions for the most part, just started becoming a little more common. Streets were brick, and horses were still more common than cars. It was the dawn of a new age, and fire fighting was making leaps and bounds. Even the axe we associate with fire fighting today was somewhat unknown, because it wasn't until The Navy donated surplus axes from wooden ships to fire stations across America that the axe became a symbol we recognize today. It was designed to cut thru the deck of a ship and pull back the planks of the deck, which was a custom fit for the needs of fire fighting.
So picture yourself back there in 1910 Jacksonville, a city on the move, rebuilding much the same way Chicago did after their fire, or San Francisco after their earthquake, or New Orleans today. The image or an alarm, men sleeping in bunks upstairs sliding down brass poles, horses at full gallop pulling a beautiful wagon with maybe 500 gallons of water. No Nomex suits and coats or air tanks or radios to protect you from the heat and smoke you rush into to save life. Even professional fire fighting is somewhat new, and fire engines are as new as everything else we take for granted today.
Fast forward to Jacksonville today. From Interstate 95 north along the river, both sides of the river, almost nothing exists from that age. The only bridge back then was the railroad bridge. If you wanted across the river, you needed a ferry or boat. Today about 46 lanes of traffic over seven bridges can do that for you at up to 65 miles an hour legally, and while talking on a phone to China, listening to concert hall quality sound, and in air conditioned comfort. There is so little left today to remind of us this time in our history, and nothing along the river in eye shot of the Jacksonville Landing. It has been erased by people who place money and progress before legacy, and once it's gone it's gone forever.
PLEASE READ UPDATE ON FIDELITY BELOW
In a questionable deal with Fidelity, The City of Jacksonville basically traded our collective legacy away for 28 parking spaces and a "pocket park" for a retention pond, which will still be used by Fidelity, but now the costs of maintaining "their" retention pond will be placed upon the taxpayers, and while plans are in the works to protect this historic building, if it is not protected and moved by the City, it can and will be demolished by Fidelity for yet another commonplace glass, steel and concrete house of big corporate money. There are currently no plans for the land given to Fidelity by their friends at City Hall. While almost everywhere else in Brooklyn, the name of this historic district, the city used eminent domain to force out what they no longer wanted there, usually paying less than what the land was worth, the city extended the Riverwalk, adding only 28 parking spaces and a "pocket park" which will still be used by Fidelity, their tenant Everbank (correction, Fidelity does not own the Everbank building.) and workers at Blue Cross if they want for lunch. Maybe a few people might park there to fish or take a quiet walk, but there is no attraction, and it is not a good place to park for access to The Landing or any other significant downtown attraction.
The fact that the city did not use eminent domain to get land from Fidelity shows favoritism towards their corporate buddies at Fidelity, and I wonder if any friendships exist between our mayor and the crafters of this stupid giveaway agreement and Fidelity.
Again, please see the update at the bottom of the page, I am leaving this as original, but Fidelity might not be as much of a bad guy as misdirected, the do a lot of good as I came to fully appreciate today, it is just this deal is stupid and so is the idea of moving the building.
I'll bet if anyone took a good look they'd find some dirt that would put them all in jail if they did business in the full Florida Sunshine.
The station itself has been modified a little throughout the years to better function, so it doesn't rate as highly as it could on a historic scoring, but since it is the last vestige of history and only thing that approaches being a century old along the river from I-95 north, it is rare and unique. For that reason it needs to stay where it is, and remain if possible in public service, serving as a museum and safety teaching center and as a reminder of our roots.
It is the only place left down there that one can feel history come alive in. It's also very sad that our current museum, moved from where The Police Memorial Building is down to Kid's Kampus next to Metro Park (Kid's Kampus is slated to move, too, so I was told-unconfirmed) has had un-repaired termite damage so bad that for over the last decade (that I know of at least) you are not allowed upstairs, and they have so many rare treasures of fire fighting history that they need more room to house it all and better access to the public. This willful disrespect and neglect of our firefighters, who serve us day in and day out ready to lay down their lives to save us, has no just cause, and is an insult to everyone whom the mayor and his buddies pretend to serve.
I think they are more stupid and detached and greedy than mean spirited. They have done some good things, for which I am thankful. But money and power have a way of corrupting and twisting morality and conscience that such compromise and simply stupid mistakes are not even recognized any more. Their fiscal arrogance place their own selfish and self-serving interests above the public will and good, and we are no longer represented, but abused. I know not one single firefighter who wants to see the station moved, and it is they to whom we owe undying reverence and gratitude, and respect. At the first sign of danger we call upon them to respond, to emergency and danger they respond, quick, fast, and in a hurry, and rush in where others rush out, and as 911 teaches us, at the cost of their very lives. On a whole, they remember what these corporate and bureaucratic fools have willfully forgotten, that we are all one People, and some things matter more than progress and change. This was simply a stupid, dirty deal, and amounts to corporate welfare.
Councilwoman Glorious Johnson has sponsored a bill to designate Station Five as an historic landmark, but no provisions have been made to keep it on its historic site along the river, right where it belongs. The fact that it is the last vestige of history along the banks of The Saint Johns demands that it remain where it has been for almost a century, on a site that has been in service even before The Great Fire of 1901.
The brave souls who fought that fire, and offered relief following that disaster, continued their service and christened that beautiful building. I don't see anything like it anywhere near it, it is unique, and a nice distraction from the glass, concrete and steel that has made the face of downtown look like a giant corporate mall. Some things need to go, and be replaced, but far and away this hollowed ground does not.
This is what I suggest:
That Station Five remain where it stands forever, as a lasting testament to our history in honor of those who have served so well for so long.
That it become a Firefighter Museum, with emphasis on turn of the century history, and teach the history of The River City, The Great Fire of 1901, and fire fighting.
That it serve as a teaching center for fire safety, instructing children how to stop, drop, and roll, use fire safety equipment like fire extinguishers and smoke alarms, and how and when to call 911 and what important information they need to relay. How to avoid danger, and think "safety", what to do in accidents, perform basic first aid, and basically stay alive and stay safe. In this manner, teaching them how to protect themselves, and in so doing Station Five will continue to save lives and serve the public for years to come.
take the poll below, please read through the updates
Besides, won't that corporate "pocket park" need some kind of attraction to truly serve the taxpayers? If the city has to trade Fidelity an equal amount of land on which to build yet another glass house, give it to them and get this back to the People to whom it belongs. No one owns Station Five, or the property on which it has lived for a century. It belongs first to the men and women who serve us so well with so little gratitude or reward day in and day out, who are always there when we need them, and to each and every one of us, the People of this great land.
You can reach the mayor at 904-630-1775 or email to JPeyton@coj.net. Give him a piece of your mind, since it seems he has lost his own.
Call Joh Yost at Fidelity at 854-5000, email Jon.Yost@FNIC.com and ask him to keep the station where it is.
Call Councilwoman Glorious Johnson at 630-1377, GloriousJ@coj.net and tell her "thank you" and to make sure that station stays right where it is.
Send an email to: SkotDavidWilson@Yahoo.com to join the fight, get updates, and support the fight to make sure this piece of history is saved!
Call the media:
The Times-Union 359-4111 editor@Jacksonville.com Letters@Jacksonville.com
The Folio Weekly 260-9770 sceastman@FolioWeekly.com
Fox 30/First Alert 564-1599 Fox30news@ccjax.com
First Coast News 354-1212 mlyons@FirstCoastNews.com
WJXT 399-4000 producer@wjxt.com
Call the city council, 630-1377...... email yours, them, or show up at the next meeting....
Visit the Fire Museum http://www.jacksonvillefiremuseum.com/ (904) 630-0618
Support The Children's Burn Camp of North Florida... http://www.campamigo.net/
WHO: Any child burn survivor aged 6 to 18, living in North or Central Florida
WHAT: A summer camp for kids that are burn survivors.
WHEN: Tentatively, the second week of July 2008
WHERE: Billy Jo Rish State Park, Cape San Blas, Florida
WHY: Giving our Campers the opportunity to bond with their peers
EL Presidente' Rusty(850) 509 - 6200
Stephanie Powell(850) 545 - 4126
MAILING ADDRESSPO BOX 368Tallahassee, FL 32302
I could see Camp Amigo having bi-monthly picnics there
Check this out, too! http://www.southeastburnfoundation.org/ and if that fails try
http://www.shands.org/hospitals/UF/service/burn/default.asp
Lastly, call or stop a fire fighter or police officer, and thank them for the job they do for us every day!
I can be reached at (904) 781-8635 or SkotDavidWilson@yahoo.com
Together Let's Save Our History!
Skot David Wilson
Alexander Orion Wilson (my son who is also fighting)
PROTECT KIDS FROM HEAT EXPOSURE ON SCHOOL BUSES: http://busheat.blogspot.com/
UPDATE!!!! 13 September 2007 I got the following information:
Glorious Glorious Johnson has drafted and filed a bill that will protect forever Station Five in its historic location forever!
Introduced by the Council President at the request of the Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission and Council Member Johnson:
ORDINANCE 2007-988
AN ORDINANCE DESIGNATING FIRE STATION #5, LOCATED AT 347 RIVERSIDE AVENUE, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, AS A LANDMARK AND LANDMARK SITE; DIRECTING THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR TO ENTER THE LANDMARK AND LANDMARK SITE DESIGNATION ON THE ZONING ATLAS; DIRECTING THE COUNCIL SECRETARY TO NOTIFY EACH APPLICANT, THE PROPERTY OWNER AND THE PROPERTY APPRAISER OF THE LANDMARK AND LANDMARK SITE DESIGNATION AND TO CAUSE SAID DESIGNATION TO BE RECORDED IN THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF DUVAL COUNTY, FLORIDA; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Call Councilwoman Johnson to thank her for her concern and sound judgement. Now this just has to get to a vote and be approved by the Council. I spoke with Councilman Warren Jones, who represents Brooklyn, and he expressed that it needs to be saved and he would love to see it remain where it stands and continue its public service.
Now get this. The original bill that created this fiasco is 2005-503. In that bill several key city ordinances were WAIVED. In one part it is stated that no adverse economic loss would be created against the city by this transaction, then they waive running this past the Historic Commission, bypassing putting the property up for public auction, and NOT assessing the value of the property. There is no factual basis for that statement, because you cannot know if you have lost any value if you do not see what the values are in the first place. Dirty deal Mr. Mayor, and you almost got away with it. I was also answered as to what information I would be given or allowed to see by the Mayor, and he answers that knowing if he had any relationships, friendships, associations, or if any existed or other personal business was conducted between their office and Fidelity, was basically none of my business. Well, if he is trading off OUR property and is playing golf or going to dinner with any one of them, or if some relationships exist between anyone from administration and anyone from Fidelity, it IS our business to know, because that may imply that outside discussions no doubt occurred. The expression "Dirty as the day is long" comes to mind. I asked him to refute for the record that any such relationships or meetings did occur, and he fails to reply. I again strongly suggest they may have. Don't worry Mr. Mayor, you and your corporate cronies can still enjoy the new park, and maybe see a bit of history in the process once it becomes what it should be. You lose, because the People, and our history, wins. Yup, dirty as the day is long..........
You can see the original circumvention of the law here:
http://citycirc.coj.net/coj/COJBillList.asp?Bill=2005-0503
Your support is still needed as this matter works its way into law. Urge your councilperson to support 2007-988, and come speak in support of this measure when it comes before the Council.
SECOND UPDATE FRIDAY THE 15th.
I met with Jon Yost and Kurt from Fidelity today. I gotta hand it to 'em, they really have done a lot for The Riverwalk and our city. They are a real asset to Jacksonville, and a good neighbor, but this still does not change my view on the need to keep Five right where it is. When you drive down Forest towards the Saint Johns, like many first time visitors to "The River City" will, as you approach Riverside you can't help but notice the beauty of Station Five and a nice view of the river. This will be lost if a office building is placed there instead. It needs to stay. Besides, you'd never even notice the "pocket park" below, no matter how "nice" it is, if Five is lost along with part of our history. The addition of Five to the park as a museum/slash/fire safety teaching center/slash/welcome center/slash/emergency-emergency response center would take a somewhat nice space and turn it into a gem that will make this city shine. It must remain.
I offended Mr. Yost with my attack, but I'd rather be wrong, and about them I was, and apologize, "Sorry, Mr. Yost and Fidelity", and prompt a response that got attention, which it did, than to withhold action and have my words fall upon the wind unanswered. Now let's see if Payton has the guts to approach me like Jon Yost did. I found him to be a kind, intelligent, reasonable man with a shared sense of morality and human dignity. That was refreshing. Hey Fidelity, you have an asset in him. I still think that there may be dirty deals here and there, and think Payton did real dirty by bypassing the Historic Commission, an assessment of the values of the properties and keeping it from public auction, then LYING by saying there was no adverse impact upon the city, and Fidelity may wield wealth to impose their will, but they at least are giving back to the community, and the two guys I met today were straight up and sincere, and seem to have a civic conscience. I just think the real value of that property rests in its service to the public, and not yet another site for a corporate tower blocking the view of the river. Besides, if you really want a good park there, and to make that park visible, it needs to stay.... for so many, many reasons needs to stay.
But again I stress this, that as the last anything along the river from the Hart or the Matthews to the new Fuller-Warren that's a century old, and it needs to stay. As a house of honor where firefighters have left and never returned, it is a monument to the spirit of the firefighter who is a hero in every sense of the word. We "remember" 911, until it fades a little and we forget, like we "remember" 1901, when brave souls perished, flesh burning in sacrifice. While no "firemen" died that day, the people fought the fire as well, and the smell of human and horse flesh filled the air. Winds of change never can blow away what resides in them, and it is sad that when disaster comes we only give them the credit they deserve for a little while, until the memory fades, and they slip back and away, silently waiting, on guard to protect us from the next major disaster, or everyday call.
Rename it "Fireman's Park", expand its use to continue to serve the public as it should, and support and fix Station Three, the current museum, which needs to expand to house our history, and have termite damage unaddressed for years so they can use the upstairs and open it to the public. We sell ourselves short, and when we complain about crime or litter or apathy we can look within ourselves and know that part of those social ills stems from our lack of honor to and education of our history and shared roots. A child who sees and understands history comes to understand what it represents, and it is in this manner learns how they are a part of a community. Such a focused representation of the spirit of the firefighter teaches a lesson by example, and a reminder of the duty we have to one-another. The current museum you have to know and search for or stumble upon, but one right there, in front of you, will spark interest, and be a draw, inviting discovery in a way it cannot if placed elsewhere.
So Fidelity, THANK YOU for what you have already given us. You truly have made the landscape better. Now, if I may most humbly ask, please allow the Spirit of the Land, and part of the Soul of this City to remain. Mr. Mayor and Honorable Council Members, please protect this shrine, and give it back to the city it has served so long, so well.
Ask our firefighters what they think: http://www.jfrd.com/Update: 24 October 2007 City Council Public Hearing
Two people spoke tonight. Myself, and Paul Hardin representing Fidelity. I know jerry Spinks was interested in speaking, and think other people support my position that weren't aware of it coming before Council tonight. I didn't raise the issues of Reggie Fullwood getting about ten grand from Fidelity as a "thank you" for burying and delaying the issues raised by Glorious Johnson to consider this property as "historic", and granted, loads of bills come before Council so much than no one who sits there can track everything.
I didn't bring my "A" game. I simply stated from the perspective of saving the station because it has unique historical value in that it is the LAST piece of anything a century old along the river down there. Paul Hardin, who spoke after me representing Fidelity, told the Coincil that Fidelity gave the city the land for the pocket park, which is untrue. The city got the retention pond and a few feet along the river that they could have taken under domain, like they do elsewhere. Fidelity gets a windfall, and there really is no reason not to designate it as historic simply because a corporation will now owns it.
Fidelity is simply saying "Please do not do the right thing because we are a corporation with financial interests", and "Please treat us differently than you do others". They knew the site was historic when they entered into the offered agreement with the city. They accepted that liability from the outset. It is no different than if someone bought wetlands or a forest knowing that a law could be passed to prohibit building on wetlands or that there might be a habitat of an endangered species prohibiting building. Being a corporation that may seek to develop does not grant special exclusions from protections of law or historic designations.
Who will be the next beneficary of Fidelity's political donations??? Is it not election fraud to exceed a $500 donation... just because they used different accounts to make payments does not mean it is not from the same source and not campaign contribution fraud.
It is Halloween, and the most scary thing is the conduct of some corporations and city administration... and by the way, we all know the joke...
"How do you know when a lawyer is lying? His lips are moving"
19 November 2007, still a bill but less teeth!
At the LUZ meeting on the 6th 2007-988 was withdrawn and on the 13th council allowed it to vanish without any further comment on the consent agenda.
The new bill, 2007-1207, is to make preservation "consistent" with 2005-503, but I think Glorious Johnson was lied to about the provisions of the contract or what council is legally able to do.
I suggested that they subdivide the station and a 12 foot buffer for historic designation purposes only, which will protect the building and keep it where it is, but allow the rest of the property to be developed.
If you look at the original bill, and what property was traded, you will see that the property the city got was mostly a retention pond and part of the river, very unuseable to Fidelity and no hope of building there. The land the pocket park is going on is owned by the city, and was before the trade. The land Fidelity got is prime real estate, and where Five sits is to become mostly a turn lane and "open space" for the entryway to Fidelity, and the park, but when they build you won't be able to see much of it from the road, so in effect it is an accent feature to the Fidelity corporate campus.
The attorney for Fidelity is Paul Harden, and his brother runs Harden and Associates, who own and built the Everbank building next to Fidelity and Station Five.
Fidelity and the Hardens gave Reggie Fullwood almost $13,000 for a state run at $500 a pop using many different accounts from one address. Seems like a payoff to me. Fullwood now works with a builders association, and is possibly doing unethical and illegal things in his business dealings that would be restricted having been a councilman.
Fidelity KNEW in advance Station Five was historic, so if just the station gets protected, and the immediate land underneath, there is NO violation of the contract, because they got more land than they had. I'm not talking property size, because the deal included a retention pond, which is used mostly by Fidelity. The city now maintains part of a pond that is used by Fidelity.
2007-988 needs to be reintroduced to give historic site designation to the station and the areas several feet from its foundation, since the future use would be a right hand turn land and a sidewalk with some landscaping.
On the 27th, 2007-1207 gets first public comments.
Email SaveStationFive@Yahoo.com to get updates and join the fight to save the station.
27 November. 2007-1207 was open for public hearings, and several people spoke supporting the saving of the station but in keeping it in place, and not moving it. Glorious Johnson stated that she would be reintroducing 988 or a similar measure but had to insure the bill was in compliance with contract provisions. Council seems to be waiting to see what comes of this, but they do seem concerned. Time will tell.
