Author Topic: Springfield: What to Watch in 2014  (Read 15621 times)

strider

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1933
Re: Springfield: What to Watch in 2014
« Reply #30 on: February 05, 2014, 05:35:27 PM »
What we see on Main Street today is indeed a direct result of very poor past practices.  Rental agents given incorrect info on who could and could not rent on Main street.  The overlay often incorrectly quoted to try to insure businesses were the type the so called leadership wanted.  Favors doled out to a chosen few while Code Enforcement called on others.  Many back room deals to insure a chosen developer could eventually get property cheap and every possible road block put up in front of the other property owners so they couldn't move forward if they wanted too. 

This from personal experience.  Some landlords not wanting to even talk to you if they found out you were from Springfield.  Agents telling us what the overlay said and being shocked when I proven it was wrong.  Opening a nice, clean store on Main Street and SPAR Council's "marketing person" dissing us publicly on MetroJacksonville.  Calling MCCD at any little thing.  Leaving us out of Main Street functions unless we forced ourselves in by proving what they were or were not doing. 

Yes,  most of the major players from back then are gone, but the legacy they left behind isn't.  I believe that their methods and polices set Springfield back a good ten years. And Springfield does still have to be careful.  There are indeed a few of the old guard left and they haven't changed their true stripes.  It is up to the new blood to make the needed changes and that new blood I see coming in is what gives me hope.
« Last Edit: February 05, 2014, 05:37:12 PM by strider »
"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.

GreyScale

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 2
Re: Springfield: What to Watch in 2014
« Reply #31 on: February 07, 2014, 10:44:26 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.

meh.  this kind of thinking doesnt ever really do anything.

Change occurs when the good things are more attractive than the bad things.

You should have seen what Manhattan was surrounded by a few years ago.

Welcome to the forums btw.



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.

meh.  this kind of thinking doesnt ever really do anything.

Change occurs when the good things are more attractive than the bad things.

You should have seen what Manhattan was surrounded by a few years ago.

Welcome to the forums btw.


Once more these are merely my reservations; not to be misconstrued as mode of thinking as it relates to the area.  It is my belief that the Springfield area could very well serve as one of the premiere locations in Jacksonville. It has rich military, social, and cultural history; not to mention streets such as Silver that play host to some of the most dynamic renovations and new builds in the city.  I've eyed the area for years in debate..."Can my business be the catalyst for change?"  Will the opportunity be missed if I don't act now?  Springfield at the moment is a game of chance in my opinion.  Unfortunately, most new start ups can't afford the risk, and big businesses aren't willing to play.

MacMaddies

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 1
Re: Springfield: What to Watch in 2014
« Reply #32 on: February 07, 2014, 11:37:28 PM »
I agree that Main St. is a little less unattractive than 8th, but I think both need to be the focus as the two main thoroughfares in SPR.  As a resident, especially one that lives less than a block from Main St., I am always hoping and praying that something will be the "catalyst", as Grey said, to begin the change.  Uptown Market and 3 Layers (although not on Main or 8th) can not do it alone.  My wife and I recently started our online business and in our dreams, hope to one day have a brick and mortar storefront.  In our conversations, we often say "I would love to have our store in the neighborhood, but I don't know that it would be successful here.  It should probably be in [insert one of the other urban core neighborhoods here]".  Unfortunately that is probably the rationale of many new local businesses.  Although rent might be cheaper in Springfield than Riverside, Avondale, or San Marco, your ultimate goal is to be successful.  There needs to be something in the neighborhood that makes Springfield a destination that other businesses can build and grow around.  We'll see what happens in 2014...maybe some of the hopeful plans will actually come to fruition.

IrvAdams

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 657
Re: Springfield: What to Watch in 2014
« Reply #33 on: February 08, 2014, 08:17:58 AM »
When I was growing up in the 60s and 70s that area between 7th and 8th was a destination for lunch or shopping. There was a large Pic N' Save store on East 8th at the time, and a popular drugstore, diner, etc. along that strip. The buildings are beautiful period structures if they are cleaned up and can be useful again. Within the last ten years  we used to attend a Writing class that was held in a storefront down there, then the tenant moved briefly DT, not sure where they went from there.

Good luck with your business! I think this area (needs a name, maybe the near-Northside?) will rise to luster again.
“He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still”
- Lao Tzu

thelakelander

  • The Jaxson
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 35323
    • Modern Cities
Re: Springfield: What to Watch in 2014
« Reply #34 on: February 08, 2014, 11:32:05 AM »
^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.

I've always thought Main and 8th should be their own TIF districts. In Chicago, the model has been great for the revitalization of similar inner city commercial corridors.
"A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.” - Muhammad Ali

mtraininjax

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5414
Re: Springfield: What to Watch in 2014
« Reply #35 on: February 10, 2014, 03:43:44 PM »
What is the unemployment rate along Main Street as compared to 8th Street? I just drove through Springfield looking at investment property, I saw a lot of adults and kids hanging out, nothing to do, playing hoops in the street. You don't see that in other neighborhoods. Of course you also don't see a lot of $15,000 houses in other neighborhoods either.

I do believe all these people being out shows there is a need for more training, more jobs and more opportunities in this area. Would MM or Intuition or Bold City look to relocate here and help put these people to work? A rising tide will lift the boats of all the people in the area. City should be doing more to encourage more jobs in these areas, plus isn't 32206 connected to 32202?
And, that $115 will save Jacksonville from financial ruin. - Mayor John Peyton

“This is a game-changer. This is what I mean when I say taking Jacksonville to the next level.”
-Mayor Alvin Brown on new video boards at Everbank Field

strider

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1933
Re: Springfield: What to Watch in 2014
« Reply #36 on: February 10, 2014, 07:19:27 PM »
The best scenario, in my opinion, would be to do street car up main.  The resulting development would bring work and if done right, not displace everyone below the average income levels.

By the way, most of the federal dollars coming into Jacksonville do so due to area codes like 33306 and 32202 and the state they are in.  Those millions upon millions of federal dollars have done lots of good ........OK, some good.  Just think how much more good could have been done if the dollars were actually handled properly.

I have a dream of where Intuition could be and I think it is a marvelous plan, but it isn't my money, business nor property so what do I know.
"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.