A century‑old Jacksonville sober‑living institution is suddenly fighting for its life after city fire inspectors realized the residential wing of its Hubbard Street property had never been inspected. The surprise discovery has already pushed 13 residents out of their rooms and left the nonprofit scrambling to pull together roughly $175,000 for safety upgrades that could decide whether it stays open.
According to News4JAX, a routine check last September set everything in motion when a Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department lieutenant noticed people moving between two buildings on the property and pulled the records. The station found no inspection history for the residential structure. JFRD told News4JAX the facility has to meet the Florida Fire Prevention Code and said fines are being waived while Alco works to comply.
Alco Halfway House executive director Doug Jones told News4JAX the nonprofit, which charges residents $155 a week and leans heavily on private donations, is staring down an estimated $175,000 in work. That includes a new fire alarm system, sprinklers, fire‑rated doors and permitting costs. “We need help, and I’m scared for this place,” Jones said. He added that 13 residents had to be moved off the third floor because of the violations and warned that the program itself could be forced to close…