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Introduced by Council Member Daniels:
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RESOLUTION 2012-713
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A RESOLUTION URGING THE MAYOR TO IMMEDIATELY
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UTILIZE THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS TO SECURE A
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PARTNER
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UTILIZATION,
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PRESERVATION, AND PROTECTION OF THE NATIONAL
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GUARD ARMORY (“ARMORY”) LOCATED AT 851 NORTH
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MARKET
STREET
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REPORTS
OF
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DATE.
INTERESTED
IN
THE
OCCUPATION,
REHABILITATION,
IN
RESTORATION,
JACKSONVILLE;
PROGRESS;
PROVIDING
REQUESTING
AN
EFFECTIVE
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WHEREAS, the National Guard Armory (“Armory”) located at 851
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North
Market
Street
in
Jacksonville
was
designed
by
principal
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architect Wilbur B. Talley in the Victorian Gothic Revival style,
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and was constructed during World War 1 between 1915 and 1916; and
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WHEREAS, the Florida National Guard occupied the Armory until
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1973 and the Armory also served as a principal public facility for
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social engagements and entertainment throughout that period; and
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WHEREAS, in 1973, after the Florida National Guard moved to
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another facility, the City’s recreation department, serving under
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various titles, (hereinafter “Recreation Department”) occupied and
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managed the Armory until 2010; and
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WHEREAS, commencing in 1985, the Recreation Department made
various efforts to sell the Armory; and
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WHEREAS, in 2001, upon application of the City’s Planning and
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Development Department, the Armory property was designated as a
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“Landmark”
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protections as to its use and perpetuation; and
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in
Ordinance
2001-720-E
thereby
providing
certain
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WHEREAS, it has been stated that no other building in Duval
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County possesses a richer and more varied history than the Armory,
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as it stands as a visual reminder of the City’s military, cultural
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and entertainment past; and
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WHEREAS, in February of 2011, the Recreation Department in
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LOI#
AD-0452-11, sought Letters of Interest “LOI” encouraging not-
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for-profit
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occupation, utilization, rehabilitation, restoration, preservation,
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and protection of the Armory; and
organizations
to
submit
proposals
and
plans
for
the
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WHEREAS, Kirby Smith Camp 1209, Sons of Confederate Veterans
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was the only not-for-profit that submitted an LOI, and no further
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action
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Invitation for LOIs; and
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has
been
taken
by
the
City
to
follow
through
with
the
WHEREAS, the Armory has enormous rehabilitative needs, the
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Mayor
has
been
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historical
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Executive Branch to secure a partner interested in the occupation,
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utilization,
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protection of the Armory; and
value
promoting
of
the
public-private
Armory
rehabilitation,
partnerships,
justifies
prompt
restoration,
action
and
the
by
the
preservation,
and
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WHEREAS, a number of council members have suggested alternate
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downtown location for the Supervisor of Election’s Office (“SOE”)
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to
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downtown
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single story building and the Armory is three story and therefore
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does not meet the criteria; and
combine
the
SOE
location;
function
however,
from
one
of
Gateway
the
and
the
preferred
current
SOE
criteria
was
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WHEREAS, Mayor Alvin Brown had initially considered the Armory
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as a day center for the homeless, but has recently issued a public
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statement that the Armory location was no longer being considered;
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and
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WHEREAS, the Sons of the Confederate Veterans have stated that
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the organization has the finances and resources to restore the
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building; and
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WHEREAS, under the Sons of the Confederate Veterans use of the
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building, the facility’s auditorium would be open to the public;
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now therefore
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BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Jacksonville:
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Section 1.
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Mayor
Urged
to
Find
Partner
to
Utilize
National Guard Armory. The Council of the City of Jacksonville does
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hereby
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process
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utilization,
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protection of the Armory.
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urge
to
the
Mayor
secure
a
to
immediately
partner
rehabilitation,
Section 2.
Mayor
restoration,
Requested
occupation,
preservation,
Report
in
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rehabilitation, restoration, preservation, and protection of the
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Armory.
Section 3.
Effective
the
Date.
is
occupation,
This
requested
The
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for
designees,
Progress.
and
submit monthly reports to the Council identifying the progress made
partner
his
the
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a
through
to
in
procurement
Mayor,
procuring
or
interested
the
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individually
utilize
to
utilization,
Resolution,
being
an
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internal expression of an internal affair of the Council, shall
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become effective upon signature by the Council President.
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Form Approved:
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Paige Hobbs-Johnston
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/s/
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Office of General Counsel
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Legislation Prepared By:
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G:\SHARED\LEGIS.CC\2012\Res\Daniels Armory.doc
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Margaret M. Sidman
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