Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
June 8, 2018 1:30 p.m.
The most watched case on the agenda of the Fernandina Beach Code Enforcement and Appeals Board (CEAB) this month involved the plight of the Standard Marine Building, located at 101 North Second Street (Case 18-00044). The CEAB first considered this case at its May meeting following referral from the city’s Historic District Council (HDC).
The building is not in the local Historic District and therefore enjoys none of the protections of neighboring historic buildings, but the building has a long history in the community dating back to the 1880’s. It survived the Hurricane of 1898, the strongest hurricane ever to hit Fernandina. It served as a hub of activity for local commerce involving the city’s shrimping industry before its closure following the building’s sale in 2004 to the Lane Development Group. It was subsequently sold in 2014 to Front Street Property LLC, owned by Atlanta developer Richard Goodsell.
Although various plans have surfaced for the property following its latest purchase, most have not included saving the building. Owner Goodsell, a strong historic preservation proponent, has rejected development offers for the property that he believed were not in the best interests of the city. But since 2014, the building’s appearance has deteriorated, resulting in city direction to the owner to take measures to clean up the property and the building, to include boarding up the broken windows, fixing broken downspouts and scuppers.
Goodsell appeared before the CEAB at its June 7, 2018 meeting with his representative to report that he had taken care of the specific items on the city’s list. City staff agreed. However, considerable discussion followed concerning other problems with the building that needed attention, specifically the leaky roof and the exterior paint.
Citing a report that had been presented at the previous meeting, Goodsell said that the walls of the building are structurally sound according to engineers who have examined the structure. He indicated that he is unwilling to spend an additional $450K to take care of the roof and exterior paint, as estimated in the architectural review conducted by local architect Jose Miranda as prerequisites to mothballing the building. Goodsell said that a future buyer might have his or her own ideas about exterior paint, and depending on what use would be found for the building, a different roof structure could be required.
Goodsell said that if the CEAB intended to force him to reroof and paint the building, he would consider demolishing the building, which would make purchasing the entire property more desirable to many potential developers.
CEAB members engaged in much discussion about this structure and its future. Member Cindy Crow said that the CEAB had hoped that Goodsell would find a buyer who would be willing to include the building in the local Historic District. Such a move would not only provide protection for the building but would also relieve the building from many expensive code requirements with respect to redevelopment.
Goodsell indicated that he understood that, but that he had no plans to include the building in the Historic District himself. Doing so would mean that it would be much more difficult for him to demolish the building, if that was his last resort.
In response to CEAB questions about potential buyers, Goodsell replied that he is not actively marketing the property, but that interested parties are approaching him with offers. One party expressed interest in building an apartment house on the property, but Goodsell rejected that plan as not in the best interest of the city. He did report that he has offered to donate the building to the Amelia Island Museum of History with the proviso that it be used as a museum. He said that the museum has shown some interest in his offer.
Goodsell cited the condition of city streets, sidewalks and lighting on North Second Street as a detriment to sale of the property.
The CEAB appeared willing to consider holding off any further actions on the roof and painting questions for a period of 6 months, thereby giving Goodsell additional time to sell or donate the property. Goodsell refused to boxed into a time frame. “The option of demolishing this building is getting bigger all the time,” he said. “I don’t want to be put in a time frame. I’m better off demolishing the building.”
CEAB Chair Buddy Boyd expressed frustration over singling out this property for repainting and reroofing. “There are leaky roofs and peeling paint on buildings all over the city,” he said, “and we don’t cite all those structures with code violations.”
Audience member David Cook informed the CEAB that he had worked on the Standard Marine roof over 40 years ago. “It leaked then,” he said. He went on to cite the condition of city owned building at 101 North Front Street. “If [Goodsell] is being cited for [the condition of] the Standard Marina Building, the city should be cited, too.” The building in question is in significant disrepair as it awaits demolition, which has not yet been approved by the Fernandina Beach City Commission.
City Code Enforcement Manager Michelle Forstrom expressed frustration with ambiguous direction from the CEAB. She asked them to consider what they would do if this were any other building in another part of town in the same state of disrepair. She did not receive an answer.
Finally, after even more discussion, CEAB member Adam Kaufman moved that Goodsell be found in compliance for having addressed the specific items (windows, vegetation, downspouts and scuppers, and cleaning the building’s surface) called out at the previous meeting and for having reported back to the CEAB on the overall building situation. Member Gail Shults seconded Kaufman’s motion, which also assessed administrative fees. The motion carried unanimously.
Next steps will involve consultations among the City Attorney, Code Enforcement and Planning Department. But the matter remains open at this time.
Information from the Nassau County Property Appraiser’s website shows that the entire 2.06 acre site that includes the Standard Marine Building has been assessed at $1,661,532. However, the building itself is valued at $73,987.
Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.
“Goodsell cited the condition of city streets, sidewalks and lighting on North Second Street as a detriment to sale of the property.”
Funny…the Crab Shack is right across the street and doesn’t seem to suffer as a result of these (non) issues.
Sigh….if I could just win the lottery I’d buy it, fix it up as artist’s lofts and I’m betting people would come. The longer he leave that roof in such disrepair the more he is guaranteeing it will HAVE to be torn down. Nothing will ruin a building faster than a leaky roof.
Our Commissioners and City leaders must consider the possibility of purchasing this Historical Landmark. Once gone, it’s too late.This building is a major player in the development of the Shrimping industry in Florida and this community. In just an economic sense, it makes sense to purchase it. As a tourist community, these Historic Buildings are our “Stock in Trade” Each one lost, diminishes this communities appeal. You can’t tell to me there’s no interest in saving it. A City/ Private partnership is needed.
Could not agree more, Steven.