City cracks down on The Palms 'eyesore'

Last modified 10/13/2008 - 10:28 pm
Originally created 101508
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The issue is whether Atlantic Beach or the land owner will take care of the demolition.

By DREW DIXON, Shorelines

ATLANTIC BEACH - The biggest eyesore in the city could soon be coming down. It's just a matter of the city or the property owner demolishing what's left of The Palms apartments at Mayport Road and Atlantic Boulevard.

The City Commission voted unanimously Monday to authorize Building Official Michael Griffin to open the process of requests for proposals from demolition companies to begin tearing down the shells of what used to be 100 units in about two dozen buildings. It will cost at least $100,000 to raze the complex that was vacated in September 2005 due to "deplorable conditions."

While the city is moving toward tearing down the roofless frames at what many consider the doorway to the city near the Mayport flyover, the commission also directed City Manager Jim Hanson to enter negotiations with property owner Chris Hionides, who purchased the property in August 2006.

Hionides had told the city he intended to erect condominiums. But in a letter to the city Monday, he said the current national financial and economic crisis has hampered the housing market and made it virtually impossible to get financing for the project. He asked for a 30-day extension so he could hire a demolition crew and avoid any liens on the property by the city to pay for demolition.

But the city is wary of Hionides' promises since he, on several occasions, pledged to clean up the property, which has become overgrown and a haven for criminal activity. Previous Mayor Don Wolfson referred to the site as "a slum" and "eyesore."

Mayor John Meserve said while the city rejected the appeal for an extension for Hionides, he wanted Hanson to see if he could negotiate a deal with the property owner to clean up the property himself. Meanwhile, the commission agreed the city and Griffin should move toward a government-managed demolition should Hionides not follow through.

The current condition of The Palms has "a blighted effect" on all areas surrounding the property, including nearby businesses and residential properties, Griffin said. He added the city has notified Hionides repeatedly and the most recent memo sent to him was dated Aug. 26 and it gave Hionides 20 days to respond. Only after that deadline did Hionides get back to the city.

Meserve said the city is running out of patience with Hionides and the property has to be rehabilitated some day. But Meserve said Hionides may get the point this time.

"He obviously doesn't want a lien on his property, so we've got some leverage," said Meserve.

In other action, the commission unanimously approved an ordinance that will allow restaurants in the city to apply for a permit that would allow dogs to dine with their owners in outdoor seating.

The measure is a result of the Duval County Health Department cracking down recently on dogs at outdoor seating at Al's Pizza restaurant on Atlantic Boulevard for violations of state health codes.

A similar measure is being considered by the Neptune Beach City Council, which postponed a decision Oct. 6 to further study the issue.

Drew Dixon can also be reached at (904) 249-4947, ext. 6313