The criteria and staff findings are outlined below:
A. Its value as a significant reminder of the cultural, historical, architectural, or archaeological heritage of the City, state or nation.
The significance of the subject properties, as related to the historical and architectural heritage of Downtown Jacksonville, can be viewed through the importance of the individual houses, as well as collectively by representing one of the last remaining concentrations of residential structures in downtown. The extensive loss of historical residences in downtown can be seen in comparing a historic survey completed in 1991 with one from 2005. The 1991 survey that included downtown, LaVilla and East Jacksonville documented 602 buildings of which 379 or 63 % were single and multi-family residences. By 2005 approximately four hundred of the 602 buildings recorded in 1991 had been demolished. The 379 residences listed in 1991 had been reduced to only 56 by 2005. The number of demolitions from 2005 until the present has not been determined.
Most of the demolitions were in LaVilla, Brooklyn and East Jacksonville, so the remaining historic residences in downtown are concentrated in the extreme northeast section, currently referred to as the Cathedral District. While in the past this area has not been as heavily redeveloped for commercial and office uses as in other parts of downtown, the Cathedral District has recently been approved for a number of high density residential projects in the neighboring blocks, thereby threatening the survival of the few remaining smaller scale historic residential buildings, which currently only have the minimal protection through the demolition delay review process.
The two decades following the 1901 fire were a significant period of growth for Jacksonville, both in the downtown and in the surrounding suburbs, particularly Springfield and Riverside. Between 1900 and 1914, real estate value quadrupled in Jacksonville from 11 million to 50 million. The population grew from 28,429 to 57,699 between 1900 and 1910. By 1903, the number of new buildings permitted exceeded the 2,368 structures destroyed in the 1901 fire. The significant increase in population during the first decade of the twentieth century created a strong demand for new housing. Many were constructed in the outlying suburbs, but a considerable number of the new homes were constructed in the part of downtown destroyed by the fire. Some of Jacksonville’s leading citizens built large and elaborate new homes in downtown, but there was also a significant collection of workforce housing as seen in the subject block.
In the Cathedral District, defined on the south by East Monroe Street, the north by East Church Street, the west by Ocean Street and the east by Catherine Street, the 1991 survey recorded fifty (50) residences. 80% of the fifty structures were two-story with all reflecting the Frame Vernacular style or some variation such as Colonial Revival, Craftsman, and Queen Anne influences like the three subject structures. The majority were two stories in height, with front-facing gable or hip roofs, had full width front porches, foundations set on brick piers, horizontal weatherboard or drop siding, usually had a masonry fireplace and sash style windows with a 2/2 or multi-light pattern. The subject structures embody many of these details and are located at a well-traveled corner making them more visible to the public.
Many of the historic residential buildings were constructed as or converted into apartments or rooming houses to serve the housing needs of a rapidly growing population many of which were working class, making the few alterations made to the subject buildings representative of downtowns residences.
Based on the limited concentration of historic residences that still remain in the downtown, paired with the high level of integrity and the strong visual presence that the subject structures have being located at the corner, it is the determination of the Planning and Development Department that all three of the structures (403 Liberty Street, 411 East Duval Street and 411 Liberty Street) meet this criterion.
B. Its location is the site of a significant local, state or national event.
Based on the currently available information on file, it is the determination of the Planning and Development Department that none of the three subject properties (403 Liberty Street, 411 East Duval Street and 411 Liberty Street) appear to meet this criterion.
C. It is identified with a person or persons who significantly contributed to the development of the City, state or nation.
Since construction, the structures at 403 and 411 Liberty Street have long histories under the same ownership and have been passed down to family members throughout their history with many of them utilizing the structures as personal residences. These families stayed in the area for generations. More research could be done to assess their collective contributions.
Maxey D. Moody resided at 411 Liberty Street during his productive life and the years in which he grew his equipment businesses that were directly involved with the development of roads and construction in Jacksonville, the State and the Country. Therefore, it is the determination of the Planning and Development Department that 411 Liberty Street through its strong connection to Maxey D. Moody meets this criterion.
D. It is identified as the work of a master builder, designer, or architect whose individual work has influenced the development of the City, state or nation.
The Florida Master Site Files for the three properties did not record any known architect or builder for the structures. With additional research under a landmark designation, staff may be able to find evidence of the design build team, but based upon what is known at this time, it does not appear that documentation exists to support the three structures (403 Liberty Street, 411 East Duval Street and 411 Liberty Street) meeting this criterion.
E. Its value as a building is recognized for the quality of its architecture and it retains sufficient elements showing its architectural significance.
Based on the currently available information on file, it is the determination of the Planning and Development Department that none of the three subject properties (403 Liberty Street, 411 East Duval Street and 411 Liberty Street) appear to meet this criterion.
F. It has distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style valuable for the study of a period, method of construction, or use of indigenous materials.
All three of the structures exhibit key elements of recognized architectural styles including the Queen Anne, Colonial, Craftsman and Prairie Style as outlined the individual structure descriptions. Therefore, it is the determination of the Planning and Development Department that the three structures (403 Liberty Street, 411 East Duval Street and 411 Liberty Street) meet this criterion.
G. Its suitability for preservation or restoration
While the applicant, references compromised foundations, extensive damage, deteriorated interior finishes and mold, these issues appear to be present in limited areas on the structures and impacting secondary spaces. For example, the rear wall of 411 East Duval has settled, shows signs of previous water damage, and is in need of structural repairs. The structure at 403 Liberty Street has a large oak street growing at the back corner of the foundation. Some sections of the plaster ceiling that failed after roof leaks are in the upstairs of both properties. During the site visit, staff was able to tour the interior of all floors of all three properties to evaluate their condition. While the structures have been out of use for many years, they were overall in fair condition, cleared of most belongings and trash, locked and secured, surprisingly dry and appeared reasonably maintained for structures that are over 100 years old and that have been sitting vacant for an extended period of time. The 2021 city aerials show all three roofs in reasonably good condition.
Beyond 403 Liberty Street and 411 East Duval Street being divided into separate upper and lower living units and the replacement of the original wrap-around porch at 403 Liberty Street being replaced by a simple modern wood deck, the structures have a high level of historic integrity with much of the original or historic materials, features and floor plan intact.
Staff has seen significantly more deteriorated structures preserved, rehabilitated and sold; therefore, it is the determination of the Planning and Development Department that all three properties (403 Liberty Street, 411 East Duval Street and 411 Liberty Street) meet this criterion.
Additional Information
We encourage our readers interested in the future of these properties to contact the Historic Preservation Commission. If possible, attend their meeting, which will be held at the Ed Ball Building at 214 North Hogan Street at 3 p.m. Wednesday, September 28. Contacts for the members, as well as Jacksonville City Council and the Downtown Investment Authority, are below.
Historic Preservation Commission
Commission contacts: Phone: (904) 255-7800 Email: historicpreservation@coj.net
City Planner Supervisor: Arimus Wells Phone (904) 255-7824 Email: Arimusw@coj.net
Downtown Investment Authority
CEO: Lori Boyer Phone: (904) 255-5301 Email: boyerl@coj.net
Mayor Lenny Curry Phone: (904) 255-5000 Email: MayorLennyCurry@coj.net
District Council Members
District 1: Joyce Morgan Phone: (904) 255-5201 Email: JoyceMorgan@coj.net
District 2: Al Ferraro Phone: (904) 255-5202 Email: Ferraro@coj.net
District 3: Aaron L. Bowman Phone: (904) 255-5203 Email: ABowman@coj.net
District 4: Kevin Carrico Phone: (904) 255-5204 Email: KCarrico@coj.net
District 5: LeAnna Cumber Phone: (904) 255-5205 Email: LCumber@coj.net
District 6: Michael Boylan Phone: (904) 255-5206 Email: MBoylan@coj.net
District 7: Reggie Gaffney Phone: (904) 255-5207 Email: RGaffney@coj.net
District 8: Ju’Coby Pittman Phone: (904) 255-5208 Email: JPittman@coj.net
District 9: Tyrona Clark-Murray Phone: (904) 255-5209 Email: TClarkMurray@coj.net
District 10: Brenda Priestly Jackson Phone: (904) 255-5210 Email: BPJackson@coj.net
District 11: Danny Becton Phone: (904) 255-5211 Email: DBecton@coj.net
District 12: Randy White Phone: (904) 255-5212 Email: RandyWhite@coj.net
District 13: Rory Diamond Phone: (904) 255-5213 Email: RDiamond@coj.net
District 14: Randy DeFoor Phone: (904) 255-5214 Email: RDeFoor@coj.net
At-Large Council Members
Group 1: Terrance Freeman Phone: (904) 255-5215 Email: TFreeman@coj.net
Group 2: Ronald B. Salem Phone: (904) 255-5216 Email: RSalem@coj.net
Group 3: Nick Howland Phone: (904) 255-5217 Email: NHowland@coj.net
Group 4: Matt Carlucci Phone: (904) 255-5218 Email: MCarlucci@coj.net
Group 5: Samuel Newby Phone: (904) 255-5219 Email: SNewby@coj.net
Source: Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission September 28, 2022 Meeting Book