Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct Commissioner Andy Redding’s name
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
The remaining structure on the former Badcock Furniture property in downtown Starke will be demolished.
City commissioners approved the move Aug. 6, and were told city employees would probably be able to do most of the work.
The primary building was demolished in 2016 to create additional public parking downtown. The city acquired the property several years earlier in a development agreement with Badcock, which needed a utility extension when the business moved south of town.
The remaining building was left and has been considered for multiple uses including public restrooms, an employee gym and record storage.
Operations Director Jimmy Crosby said the appearance of the building was enough to warrant a deeper look from an architect.
He told the commission even to serve as a warehouse would require approximately $350,000. Instead of that investment, he and City Manager Drew Mullins recommended demolishing the structure to make way for additional parking.
“It’s just not worth saving,” Crosby said.
The timeline isn’t certain, but once it is torn down, Commissioner Andy Redding said he wants to see the parking lot properly completed.
“The overpass is done. Things look great down there, and then you drive through a third-world country road trying to get a parking spot,” he said. “So, we have to get it paved.”
Crosby said if it turns out employees cannot perform most of the work, they will bring the cost of demolition back to the commission for consideration.
