A Jacksonville city councilwoman wants to preserve Annie R. Morgan Elementary School by giving it historic landmark status—but the proposal is facing pushback from the Duval County School Board and a potential buyer.
The school, located in the Woodstock neighborhood, closed at the end of the last school year as part of the district’s consolidation plan. In an 11-page report, Councilwoman Tyrona Clark-Murray cites the school’s cultural significance to the community and its historic architectural design as reasons for the designation. The city’s Planning Department has recommended the Historic Preservation Commission approve the measure.
But the School Board, which owns the property, says landmark status could interfere with its plans to sell or lease the building—an important step in addressing the district’s budget problem…