Springfield's 9th and Main: Curse or Con?

[Driven1]

Hionedes is the devil too, right?

[Jimmy]

I deleted my post.  I thought better of it.  No need to stick my nose under that tent.

[downtownparks]

I deleted my post.  I thought better of it.  No need to stick my nose under that tent.

Same here.

[sheclown]

I didn't post, but didn't want to be left out.  And I really don't like sticking my nose under tents either... (I don't think I do).

[5377charles]

Dear Capricorn,

Pollard House (1610 N. Main Street) is for sale (or rent) as is, by owners. Please contact ch9mil@aol.com. It is zoned commercial/residential. As you might know, the bottom floor was a restaurant, and the kitchen equipment is still there, should that enter in your plans. I have at your disposition two inspections, one of which noted the lack of air conditioning/ cenrtral heating, some minor problems with the electrical code and some isolated cases of wood-rot, all of which have been resolved (as noted in the second one). In any case you will want to do your own inspection, for which your access will be guaranteed by getting in touch with our secretary, Ms. Francesca Ball at ftbjax@comcast. net.

I am most pleased that Stephen and John (hi guys - Charles and Imma love you) are back in the hood. Love also (going on 4 decades) to Justin and David. As for Craig and the LOLAS, by their works shall ye know them.

[thelakelander]

What's the asking price?

[stephendare]

Dear Capricorn,

Pollard House (1610 N. Main Street) is for sale (or rent) as is, by owners. Please contact ch9mil@aol.com. It is zoned commercial/residential. As you might know, the bottom floor was a restaurant, and the kitchen equipment is still there, should that enter in your plans. I have at your disposition two inspections, one of which noted the lack of air conditioning/ cenrtral heating, some minor problems with the electrical code and some isolated cases of wood-rot, all of which have been resolved (as noted in the second one). In any case you will want to do your own inspection, for which your access will be guaranteed by getting in touch with our secretary, Ms. Francesca Ball at ftbjax@comcast. net.

I am most pleased that Stephen and John (hi guys - Charles and Imma love you) are back in the hood. Love also (going on 4 decades) to Justin and David. As for Craig and the LOLAS, by their works shall ye know them.

Charles!!!!!!

Is Imma in town?!!

Hurray!

[stephendare]

Charles and Imma are one of the Great Pioneer Couples of Springfield.  They spend at least half of every year in Barcelona, Imma's home.

Charles is an Antiquarian and Imma is an Opera Diva.

I believe I have a banner from one of the shows that they did with John Allen here somewhere.....

[5377charles]

Dear thelakelander,

Thanks for your interest. Please get in touch with me at ch9mil@aol.com. All the best from

Charles

[stephendare]

stephendare@gmail.com

[chris]

well since I seem to be the only one not posting on this rather interesting bit of commentary, i'll add a related, albeit quite out of place bit of my own....

what are these rumors about both metro and park place being shuttered by the state for various and assorted violations of some sort? some kind of b-ass-ackwards form of grade school vengeance, strange coincidences (HA) or just misinterpretations of the tin-cup telephones that are the jacksonville club circuit?

it had a bit of relevance as robert and david were mentioned in regards to the whole tenant dispute fiasco...

this whole thread paints a rather accurate picture of jacksonville commercial deals over the last half century; very-GOB, dimly lit poker room, back-door-finagling to rankle the last coins out of an old couch...

[stephendare]

well since I seem to be the only one not posting on this rather interesting bit of commentary, i'll add a related, albeit quite out of place bit of my own....

what are these rumors about both metro and park place being shuttered by the state for various and assorted violations of some sort? some kind of b-ass-ackwards form of grade school vengeance, strange coincidences (HA) or just misinterpretations of the tin-cup telephones that are the jacksonville club circuit?

it had a bit of relevance as robert and david were mentioned in regards to the whole tenant dispute fiasco...

this whole thread paints a rather accurate picture of jacksonville commercial deals over the last half century; very-GOB, dimly lit poker room, back-door-finagling to rankle the last coins out of an old couch...

Welcome to Jacksonville man.

We have enough bigots and dumbasses per square mile that we would qualify for Guinness were it not for the existence of Palatka.

[stephendare]

Well apparently the last of the Craig Van Horn chapters of the Old Firestone Building at 9th and Main has come pretty much to a close.

While I havent really tracked the fortunes of Barry Owens since the spectacular crash and burn of the nightclub after Boomtown closed in the space, I know that the manager, Tory left precipitously for the north west to join his friend Clancy at another restaurant venture in a different state.

Boomtown's entertainment programming, Nokturnal Escape and Mad Cowford remained at 9th and Main for a few months (with my blessing...no reason for the groups to suffer because of the hijinx on Craig's part) but Soul Release, with its massive upscale african American crowds was moved from the theater (which remained empty) and pushed into the small restaurant side without adequate lighting and no service at all.

With the arrival of Max Michaels as facilities manager, there was even doubt whether previously scheduled shows would have their schedules honored.

Soul Release, one of the largest and most legendary events in the national Spoken Word movement was reduced to pittance crowds and finally left looking for a venue.

However, against a backdrop of Van Horn properties being seized left and right (the Halsema Building was taken as elsewhere mentioned. The Collier Building is apparently without water or electricity, leaving the fairly prominent artists who lived and worked there pretty much up the creek, the Klutho Apartment Building, i was informed has also been taken from him) 9th and Main was a standalone corporation with only a 225 thousand dollar note against it held by the City.

Or at least it was when Craig was negotiating to sell the property to me and my partners.

Anyways, the neighborhood has witnessed the rapid crash and burn of three seperate incarnations since Boomtown left the space earlier this year (February 10, 2008---only 8 months ago.), the latest group, headed by gothic and sex fetish promoter Max Michaels, was invited into the space with no obligation except to pay for their own labor and keep some kind of business running ran into deal killing trouble.

Apparently after going to great expense to fund a grand opening show, the newest group paid all the necessary fees and deposits on entertainment and equipment etc only to show up on the day of show to find that the meters for electricity had been irrevocably turned off.

A check with the JEA discovered a 20,000.00 dollar past due balance for the service, a back amount that would have to be paid immediately in order for power to be restored to the location.

Such a sum was impossible to come by.  The new group lost their investment, a possibly fatal move to the organization itself, and the power is presently off  (no doubt until a new owner emerges) at 9th and Main.

There is very little likelihood of 9th and Main remaining in Craig's hands, by all accounts.

Its a pity that he wasted so many incredible resources so recklessly over the years.  It has all ended in tears.

The only bright spot is that at least the new owners are a much better caliber of developer.

The Halsema building is currently owned by a holding group managed by Davis Family scion Paul Saffell, a brilliant pillar in the redevelopment of both San Marco and Avondale in the mid 90s.

He has already begun negotiations for fairer leases with the tenants and improving the slumlike condition of many of the spaces which had deteriorated under Van Horn's stewardship.

This is probably the very prescription that Springfield needs.  New blood, fresher horses, no one with a monopoly and diversified resources.

The neighborhood could do worse than to have old solid money and experience like the Cesery and Davis families invested into its future.

[thelakelander]

Its probably best for Springfield that 9th & Main is now out of CVH hands.  This creates the opportunity for another group to come in.  Btw, I heard that a Middle Eastern restaurant is going into the old Main Street Bakery space.  The building will also get a new paint job.  However, it won't happen until that side of Main Street is complete.

[stephendare]

Yes, I think on balance its extremely good news.

And what a nice thing to hear on the Main Street Bakery front, Lake, any details?