Community members were finally able to say “Bye bye Berkman II” Saturday, after an implosion left the high-rise in a pile of pieces.
The building sat empty for nearly 15 years, and many in the community shared they are thrilled the downtown eyesore has come down after a series of delays.
Rosemarie Matthews lives at the Berkman Plaza I, the building directly behind what was the Berkman Plaza II. “I’m going to check on Elvis,” Matthews said. “That’s my car. I’m going to go check on Elvis to make sure he’s good.”Hundreds cheered, clapped and waved goodbye to the building as they watched the Berkman Plaza II come tumbling down.“It was crazy,” Hamburg said.“All of the smoke,” Lawson said.His grandmother Antrelle Brown said she has lived in Jacksonville all her life.