Author Topic: Springfield: What to Watch in 2014  (Read 15624 times)

Bill Hoff

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Re: Springfield: What to Watch in 2014
« Reply #15 on: February 03, 2014, 02:42:12 PM »
That would be incorrect.

The residential revitalization in the 'hood is far ahead of the commercial corridor. And property values were sky high, rock bottom, and now reasonably recovered, all without much change on Main Street.

While it'd be great to see more activity on Main Street, the sheer size/length related to the # of households around it is problematic, as is much of the ownership. Because of this, you've seen popular businesses open off Main. And also because of this, the commercial corridors off Main Street could see notable gains first, like portions of Pearl Street and the warehouse district. Both of which have successfully staple businesses now, and additional interested suitors making plans.

But, with all that said, there's new businesses in the works for Main Street now. Nothing earth shattering, but positive non the less.
« Last Edit: February 03, 2014, 02:44:12 PM by Bill Hoff »

GreyScale

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Re: Springfield: What to Watch in 2014
« Reply #16 on: February 03, 2014, 03:41:25 PM »
My only concern is how the city will address the rough neighborhoods that create a horseshoe around the Springfield area.  If an individual travels to far East they’ll be greeted by the juvenile detention center, massive industrial buildings (some viable business, some rotting shells), and what is predominately a drug and gang infested area; North is much of the same; West (Northwest), passing under I95 is a continuation of the familiar trends.  In my opinion addressing the East and North banks that surround the Springfield district would be the best as the West is somewhat separated by the interstate.  Maybe this isn’t a huge concern for some, but something to consider nevertheless. 

Bill Hoff

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Re: Springfield: What to Watch in 2014
« Reply #17 on: February 03, 2014, 05:50:09 PM »
Thanks for your perspective on Main Srreet Stephen, though I don't think it's accurate. I do agree with you concerning Grey's comment.

Growing up in Riverside, when it was considered somewhat rough and before it's mass popularity, similar concerns were expressed about Mixon Town, Hollybrook, & parts of Murray Hill. "Too close, etc".

What was true then and true now, and true across the country (gentrifying historic neighborhoods is not a unique experiment in Jacksonville), is that positive investment attracts other positive investment, and the surrounding areas reap the benefits (improve) of the upward bound neighborhood as well.

Grey, significant improvement project(s) in the Eastside neighborhood along A Philip Randolph are on the table for discussion now.





strider

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Re: Springfield: What to Watch in 2014
« Reply #18 on: February 03, 2014, 06:08:04 PM »
What's interesting to me is that while the residential areas North of Springfield have always been much worse the commercial areas have always done much better. Lots more businesses, fewer empty buildings and while it certainty took a hit like the rest of us, no where near as bad as Main Street in Springfield. Attitudes of the local organizations (SPR to MetroNorth) back then certainty played a part in all that.  Fortunately, SPAR is changing and is getting better.

Mr Lumb, well, we'll just say good luck with all that.  Nothing has happened yet and I do not see it happening with him, maybe if someone better gets elected in his place, real progress can be made. In his defense, no council person has had the b... - tenacity - to go up against Code Compliance.   Sad but very true. OK, Daniels sort of tried once but we were told by a couple of councilmen they could do nothing about MCCD - IE Kim Scott.

Without changing the script at MCCD, Springfield and it's sister communities will have a tough time getting to much further ahead with the abandoned house/ rolling fine  issue. In fact, MCCD seems intent upon making the issues worse rather than better.

And what  works for Springfield will certainly work for the areas surrounding it.  In fact, the 26 million from NSP1 ( as one example) was supposed to address those issues in the areas surrounding Springfield, as well as Springfield itself. Can't you see the difference it made?  (Neither can I).  That's the other thing that needs changed.  How those millions of federal dollars are spent - they need to be positive things, not tear down historic buildings or fund over priced developments.  The decisions need to be moved to the people rather than the developers themselves. EPIC seemed like a move in the right direction, but has stalled badly with little hope of being properly moved forward.

The best thing is the parks.  Next we need fixed rail and the development and increased need for density it will bring. Until then, I doubt we will see any real progress other then what we are seeing today.  A great group of spirited and often younger people coming into Springfield on a daily basis.

"My father says that almost the whole world is asleep. Everybody you know. Everybody you see. Everybody you talk to. He says that only a few people are awake and they live in a state of constant total amazement." Patrica, Joe VS the Volcano.

Tony B

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Re: Springfield: What to Watch in 2014
« Reply #19 on: February 03, 2014, 07:41:43 PM »
I'm assuming you're talking about consumer retail, restaurant and entertainment type businesses (B2C) and excluding professional and business services (B2B) type businesses? There are a number of location independent professional services type and at least a couple of manufacturing business that seem to be doing well; engineering, advertising & internet, PR, accounting, manufacturing (Allied Plastics makes furniture?) etc.  that are doing very well in Springfield.

SPAR - why did we pick Springfield vs Beaver st. or some other part of town that has equally cool old exposed brick architecture? Simple - Springfield residents are commonly organized around the goal of making this a better place to live and work.  It's a strong tight community and SPAR plays (in my opinion) a positive organizing role.

Bury the past and embrace the future.


While there are businesses surviving off main street, they arent really wildly successful, and they wont be until Main Street is revived.  Hopefully SPAR has moved beyond trying to block business openings, threatening litigation against new business owners, boycotts and outright lobbying for demolitions.

ChriswUfGator

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Re: Springfield: What to Watch in 2014
« Reply #20 on: February 03, 2014, 08:33:48 PM »
I'm assuming you're talking about consumer retail, restaurant and entertainment type businesses (B2C) and excluding professional and business services (B2B) type businesses? There are a number of location independent professional services type and at least a couple of manufacturing business that seem to be doing well; engineering, advertising & internet, PR, accounting, manufacturing (Allied Plastics makes furniture?) etc.  that are doing very well in Springfield.

SPAR - why did we pick Springfield vs Beaver st. or some other part of town that has equally cool old exposed brick architecture? Simple - Springfield residents are commonly organized around the goal of making this a better place to live and work.  It's a strong tight community and SPAR plays (in my opinion) a positive organizing role.

Bury the past and embrace the future.


While there are businesses surviving off main street, they arent really wildly successful, and they wont be until Main Street is revived.  Hopefully SPAR has moved beyond trying to block business openings, threatening litigation against new business owners, boycotts and outright lobbying for demolitions.

It would be easier to forget SPAR's role in the past if we didn't have 500 vacant lots to look at. Just sayin...


Tony B

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Re: Springfield: What to Watch in 2014
« Reply #21 on: February 03, 2014, 10:18:03 PM »
I'm assuming you're talking about consumer retail, restaurant and entertainment type businesses (B2C) and excluding professional and business services (B2B) type businesses? There are a number of location independent professional services type and at least a couple of manufacturing business that seem to be doing well; engineering, advertising & internet, PR, accounting, manufacturing (Allied Plastics makes furniture?) etc.  that are doing very well in Springfield.

SPAR - why did we pick Springfield vs Beaver st. or some other part of town that has equally cool old exposed brick architecture? Simple - Springfield residents are commonly organized around the goal of making this a better place to live and work.  It's a strong tight community and SPAR plays (in my opinion) a positive organizing role.

Bury the past and embrace the future.


While there are businesses surviving off main street, they arent really wildly successful, and they wont be until Main Street is revived.  Hopefully SPAR has moved beyond trying to block business openings, threatening litigation against new business owners, boycotts and outright lobbying for demolitions.

It would be easier to forget SPAR's role in the past if we didn't have 500 vacant lots to look at. Just sayin...

Aren't the people responsible for that completely out of the picture?

Tony B

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Re: Springfield: What to Watch in 2014
« Reply #22 on: February 03, 2014, 10:55:29 PM »
I'm assuming you're talking about consumer retail, restaurant and entertainment type businesses (B2C) and excluding professional and business services (B2B) type businesses? There are a number of location independent professional services type and at least a couple of manufacturing business that seem to be doing well; engineering, advertising & internet, PR, accounting, manufacturing (Allied Plastics makes furniture?) etc.  that are doing very well in Springfield.

SPAR - why did we pick Springfield vs Beaver st. or some other part of town that has equally cool old exposed brick architecture? Simple - Springfield residents are commonly organized around the goal of making this a better place to live and work.  It's a strong tight community and SPAR plays (in my opinion) a positive organizing role.

Bury the past and embrace the future.


While there are businesses surviving off main street, they arent really wildly successful, and they wont be until Main Street is revived.  Hopefully SPAR has moved beyond trying to block business openings, threatening litigation against new business owners, boycotts and outright lobbying for demolitions.

It would be easier to forget SPAR's role in the past if we didn't have 500 vacant lots to look at. Just sayin...

Aren't the people responsible for that completely out of the picture?

No. In fact they handed the camera over to one.

I have no idea what that means.

ChriswUfGator

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Re: Springfield: What to Watch in 2014
« Reply #23 on: February 03, 2014, 10:57:33 PM »
I'm assuming you're talking about consumer retail, restaurant and entertainment type businesses (B2C) and excluding professional and business services (B2B) type businesses? There are a number of location independent professional services type and at least a couple of manufacturing business that seem to be doing well; engineering, advertising & internet, PR, accounting, manufacturing (Allied Plastics makes furniture?) etc.  that are doing very well in Springfield.

SPAR - why did we pick Springfield vs Beaver st. or some other part of town that has equally cool old exposed brick architecture? Simple - Springfield residents are commonly organized around the goal of making this a better place to live and work.  It's a strong tight community and SPAR plays (in my opinion) a positive organizing role.

Bury the past and embrace the future.


While there are businesses surviving off main street, they arent really wildly successful, and they wont be until Main Street is revived.  Hopefully SPAR has moved beyond trying to block business openings, threatening litigation against new business owners, boycotts and outright lobbying for demolitions.

It would be easier to forget SPAR's role in the past if we didn't have 500 vacant lots to look at. Just sayin...

Aren't the people responsible for that completely out of the picture?

No. In fact they handed the camera over to one.

I have no idea what that means.

You asked whether the people were out of the picture...I was going with the camera allegory.


iloveionia

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Re: Springfield: What to Watch in 2014
« Reply #24 on: February 03, 2014, 11:36:45 PM »
Much of the past continues to infect the present.

So the players who are predominantly gone, yes a few remain, left their legacy with city peeps, policy, and practices. The lack of preservation, care, concern, and an adherence to improving the community with funds and safety practices is and has been marred.

Some things can't be undone.


BoldBoyOfTheSouth

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Re: Springfield: What to Watch in 2014
« Reply #25 on: February 04, 2014, 02:38:04 PM »
"Quote from: stephendare on Yesterday at 02:53:19 PM
While there are businesses surviving off main street, they arent really wildly successful, and they wont be until Main Street is revived.  Hopefully SPAR has moved beyond trying to block business openings, threatening litigation against new business owners, boycotts and outright lobbying for demolitions"

This sounds like a disgrace.  Could you please provide a future article upon for of these detais from SPAR? 

Perhaps also have SPAR give their interpriation of the issues. 

Maybe you've done this already, I just missed. Sorry.

Tacachale

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Re: Springfield: What to Watch in 2014
« Reply #26 on: February 04, 2014, 04:01:23 PM »
I've always found it surprising that there hasn't been more focus on revitalizing Main Street in Springfield. It's easily the most visible area of the neighborhood and the main commercial district, the closest there is to a town center. Having great businesses outside the strip is nice, and power to the people who make it happen, but it's never going to have the impact of a revitalized business district.

Other local neighborhoods have made the commercial districts a major part of their redevelopment plans. The Beaches have had great success with this, and they're not exactly known for planning or historic preservation. In San Marco, revitalizing San Marco Square has been one of SMPS's goals since it was founded. They're proactive in encouraging and supporting business that open in San Marco and speaking to them about the kind of things they want to do and projects they'd like to see. As a result there's now a good core of business that spark further vibrancy - organizing their own events and taking the lead on the Balis Park reconstruction, for example.

Clearly Main Street is different than many of those districts, being like 20 blocks along a major arterial running into other neighborhoods, but every district will have its own particulars and challenges. And incremental improvements are still improvements.
Do you believe that when the blue jay or another bird sings and the body is trembling, that is a signal that people are coming or something important is about to happen?

BoldBoyOfTheSouth

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Re: Springfield: What to Watch in 2014
« Reply #27 on: February 04, 2014, 04:12:54 PM »
Main Street in Springfield is like Edgewood Avenue South in Murray Hill.  The surrounding residential neighborhoods shows vibrancy, however, the main drags really, dare I say, drag down the neighborhoods.

People just driving through will keep on driving if the main thoroughfares look forlorn or not much vibrancy.

I wonder how much of the problem comes from just a handfull of commercial slum lords who could care less about the properties and just waiting for the day they can sell it at a huge profit. Until then, they just allow their building to deteriorate and make the neighborhoods looks like run down slums.

Tony B

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Re: Springfield: What to Watch in 2014
« Reply #28 on: February 04, 2014, 06:27:07 PM »
Personally I think doing something positive on E. 8th st. would do more good than Main st.  Main st. is under utilized but doesn't seem like too much of a drag.  E. 8th is nasty. Litter. Run down buildings. Unsavory characters milling about. Open air drug sales.  Drive a little North or South of E. 8th and it's back to Springfield business as usual.

I've always found it surprising that there hasn't been more focus on revitalizing Main Street in Springfield. It's easily the most visible area of the neighborhood and the main commercial district, the closest there is to a town center. Having great businesses outside the strip is nice, and power to the people who make it happen, but it's never going to have the impact of a revitalized business district.
« Last Edit: February 04, 2014, 06:29:07 PM by Tony B »

Tacachale

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Re: Springfield: What to Watch in 2014
« Reply #29 on: February 05, 2014, 04:43:28 PM »
^Perhaps, though Main Street is more visible. In any event I think it's really more an issue of being progressive about revitalizing the main commercial areas in addition to the residential areas, but for whatever reason there hasn't been much emphasis on that.
Do you believe that when the blue jay or another bird sings and the body is trembling, that is a signal that people are coming or something important is about to happen?