Jacksonville Council votes down creation of Historic commission

The Jacksonville City Council  Monday voted down an ordinance that would have created a city historical commission.  Council members who voted against the measure  said while they support historical preservation, they were concerned that the ordinance gave the commission too much authority. Council President Mark Jones said he supported the measure because he thinks that a historical commission could help the city hold on to what remains of its older structures. In other action Monday, following an executive session the council gave the mayor the authority to make an offer to buy space formerly occupied by a fitness center south of the city’s square on Alabama 21. If the city is able to purchase the property, Council president Mark Jones says it could become the site of a new city hall. The original price of the building was around $1 million, but the listed price has since fallen to about half of that.