Bringing Life to Main Street in Springfield

[peestandingup]

If he's such a good guy for Springfield, why is he leaving the roof caved in at the Boomtown location while still advertising the space is for rent (who would even rent that in that shape)?? Also, he's asking $1500 for his spaces in the Goffin Building next to it (red brick mixed use on Main @ 7th, the one with the Tax office), knowing damn well he's never gonna rent them for that. In this market with Main in the shape its in, they should be like half that price.

I'm just saying, he may be an awesome guy (I dont know him), but this isn't doing the neighborhood any favors. Stuff like that is kind of what's wrong & holding Main up right now, no??

[uptowngirl]

And I may have spoken a minute too soon.

Chatting with Kevin, he told me:

All three commercial units are now leased! The last being the corner unit to.... SunTrust. They will begin work in Late Feb and move in in June. That will be a fully leased building to all national tenants.

That is fantastic news! Is it going to be a bank with lots of traffic, or one of their lendning divisions with less foot traffic?

[ChriswUfGator]

And I may have spoken a minute too soon.

Chatting with Kevin, he told me:

All three commercial units are now leased! The last being the corner unit to.... SunTrust. They will begin work in Late Feb and move in in June. That will be a fully leased building to all national tenants.

Wait, wait, wait...so let me get this straight...

So you mean to tell me that, after all of SPAR's petty wars, boycotts, and campaigns to drive out all the 'wrong' businesses on main, to pave the way for SPAR's 'redevelopment' that promised to bring in that phantom Starbucks and nvrenuf's world-famous disappearing Panera Bread, that after demolishing half the historic properties in the neighborhood and closing down all of these businesses, the only person who has managed to bring a national tenant to Springfield is the very same guy that SPAR spent years trash-talking and vilifying as a 'slumlord'?

LMAO! SPAR is an abject failure.

[fsujax]

A Suntrust?? woohoo! the closest one to me now is in the Modis Building. I hope this actually happens.

[peestandingup]

Thats good news that they're filled. I mean, I figured it was probably gonna take a bigger entity like that (a bank) to lease at those prices & I would have much preferred something more local with a bit more substance, but still good news.

[letters and numbers]

You know when I was talking to the people at the spar office building I asked about those spaces because they are do cool. They told me they were all rented out too but said they could call Mr. Gay for me to make sure. Man they are nice but expensive so I'm still looking

[letters and numbers]

When I joined they gave me book with like 100 people I bet but hey do you have a photograph of that Kevin gay building?

[uptowngirl]

Hold up! SPAR gives out a book with members names? How about addresses or phone numbers? The names are bad enough, so anyone with $40 bucks can get a member list? WOW! Glad I dropped my membership!

[fieldafm]

All three commercial units are now leased! The last being the corner unit to.... SunTrust. They will begin work in Late Feb and move in in June. That will be a fully leased building to all national tenants.

That is fantastic news!  Banks are a great way to increase foot traffic on a given block.

[letters and numbers]

You know I don't know how many guitarists or beginners there  are in the area but hopefully a lot and there's not a good guitars store near downtown. Hey what about S.a.m.b.a.? Do they have a website I can use and how can I join? Are there any other groups that help businesses?

[iloveionia]

www.sambajax.org

I would suggest contacting a Springfield Realtor who could help you navigate a lease or buy on Main Street for your guitar shop. 

Or, take a trolley (not literally unfortunately,) up Main on foot or bike and many of the storefronts have signs and numbers to call.  There is a very small store front b/w 7th/8th on the west side of Main that has a sign for lease and if I remember correctly, it is priced fair.  I think the old Fat Cat Grocery is up for sale at $140k.  I'd have to go back and look on the MLS.  I may be able to easily find my list of names and numbers from my personal trolley up and down Main b/w 4th/8th Streets.  PM me.

[ChriswUfGator]

When I joined they gave me book with like 100 people I bet but hey do you have a photograph of that Kevin gay building?

Wow, 100 people or less out of a neighborhood of 5,000. I'm impressed...

[ChriswUfGator]

And this is the Kevin Gay's building, which he bought after SPAR's golden child Craig VanHorn lost it in foreclosure following his fraudulent financial meltdown;

[uptowngirl]

There was a smaller, but nice place by oe and Glorias between 7th and 8th and I think it could be got for a reasonable price! I have a daughter that would lOVE guitar lessons!

[standtogether]

For years everyone has talked about the great potential for Springfield. However it seems that it may always hold that terrible "potential" title unless we can get everyone on the same page. There have been those who didn't want change at all. There have been those who were "one hit wonders" and have gone their own way (for better or for worse). For most thus far its always been about making a dime and in the work of urban development you come to know that doesn't happen fast and it has to happen in concert with many other strategic partners. There is a place for for-profit and non-profit organizations. Thus there is no silver bullet. Have we not learned by now that there is no urban messiah that can come in and deliver. There has to be a place at the table for everyone. Why do people love going to New York and Chicago..etc? Because the commonality is a wildly woven fabric of diversity. Springfield has had that unique diversity but we let folks come in and try to tell us what we should look like, what kind of houses we should build, who should live here, etc etc. Its unique characteristics define it and should help craft the way it looks and not someone or some design. So....do the litmus test. What has worked? Who has worked? How do we build bridges between the gulf of differences so that there is "a seat out there for every ass"?
Peace