JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — It's been years since anyone booked a room at the Thunderbird, and now it looks like it's coming down.
Demolition permits were approved Thursday for the Thunderbird Motor Hotel on the Arlington Expressway.
When that wrecking crew moves in here, it's sure to bring up a lot of memories for long time Jacksonville residents who can recall the hotel in its glory days.
"In the 60s and early 70s when I was a kid, my dad, every now and then would say, 'Let's take the family to the Thunderbird.' That was the big deal," said Jacksonville City Councilman Matt Carlucci.
Carlucci says his family didn't go out to eat a ton when he was a kid, but when they did make it down to the Thunderbird, it was always a treat.
He says he can still remember looking up and seeing the big chandelier and one of Jacksonville's swankiest spots.
However, his favorite memory at the restaurant that opened up way back in 1959 didn't come until much later, at a fundraising event when he sat next to Harlem Globetrotters Legend Meadowlark Lemon.
"He'd take that basketball, hide it behind is back, and you'd never know where he was going to throw the thing. I got his autograph and told him how I admired him growing up as a kid."
Abandoned Florida reports the Thunderbird hosted huge acts like Fats Domino and the Rolling Stones back in its hay day.
It turned hands several times over the years and has sat vacant for more than a decade, and now, the walls with so many memories will come down.
The future for the property has not been announced, however, the the Renew Arlington Redevelopment Plan calls for markets, antiques shops, restaurants, art galleries, or professional offices with residential space built in above them to fill the area.
Carlucci says he's sad to see the historic spot come down, but excited to see what the future will hold.
If he was in charge, he knows what the new space will be called.
"They probably aught to name the establishment The Thunderbird and just keep the name because that's a classic," said Carlucci.
A timeline for demolition hasn't been announced yet.
UPDATE:
The approved and paid-for permit was withdrawn on the morning of February 5th.
A representative from the demolition company on the permit says they are no longer affiliated with project, however, they expect the property owner to file for a new permit with the new company, KLT Construction.
The property is owned by Happy Good Year 770 LLC. The owner's information is not listed on the voided permit.