Demolitions in Springfield: the facts

[Miss Fixit]

SPAR does not have the power or authority to run everyone out of the neighborhood.  SPAR is not a governmental entity; it is a nonprofit organization that recently appears to be working hard to reach out to the neighborhood.

There are many people who have moved to Springfield in the past couple of years, after the fall of SRG and the resignation of Louise Despain, who will support a variety of businesses that may not have been supported by some of the residents who have moved on.

We need to look forward.

Learn from the mistakes of the past.  Save and celebrate the historic houses that are left - we have lost too many, but we still have more 100 year old houses than any other Jacksonville historic district.  Patronize the businesses we have.  If you live in Springfield and have always wanted to own your own shop, do it!  I know a few landlords who are more than reasonable.

[avs]

I think the Bohemian slant totally suits the current residents of SPR.  All the things you mentioned, Miss Fixit, fit with the residents who have moved here over the past several years.  Local businesses with a similar slant will do well with that slant and the current residents they will look to for patronage.

Sustainable Springfield will certainly be pushing for more of the things in SPR that we have been doing as we also recognize that it adds to the uniqueness of SPR.

The demolitions have to stop and we have to push this neighborhood over the next hump.

[iloveionia]

Agree with everyone.
Bohemian.  Including: retro, thrift/vintage/antique, Mom and Pop. 
How there is not many antique and salvage shops in Jacksonville is beyond me, particularly in our area.  The LA area has a butt-load, and Cali is young compared to Florida. 

[sheclown]

Not to pick at a scab, but SPAR used it's connection to code enforcement to shut businesses down. It was quite a common practice. Let's hope we are in a better place now.

[vicupstate]

Agree with everyone.
Bohemian.  Including: retro, thrift/vintage/antique, Mom and Pop. 
How there is not many antique and salvage shops in Jacksonville is beyond me, particularly in our area.  The LA area has a butt-load, and Cali is young compared to Florida. 

Reading this, I just had a 'Sanford and Son' flashback.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WqazleR3FE

[Tacachale]

Agree with everyone.
Bohemian.  Including: retro, thrift/vintage/antique, Mom and Pop. 
How there is not many antique and salvage shops in Jacksonville is beyond me, particularly in our area.  The LA area has a butt-load, and Cali is young compared to Florida. 

Reading this, I just had a 'Sanford and Son' flashback.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WqazleR3FE

That's enough out of you, ya big dummy!

[hooplady]

Given its very definition, I don't see how one can market the "Bohemian lifestyle."  But if we can just preserve the structure that supports it (read:  historic fabric, unique individuals, passion, tolerance) I think it will grow just fine on its own.

Basically, quit trying to disinfect your compost heap and you'll be rewarded with healthy living things.

[ChriswUfGator]

SPAR does not have the power or authority to run everyone out of the neighborhood.  SPAR is not a governmental entity; it is a nonprofit organization that recently appears to be working hard to reach out to the neighborhood.

There are many people who have moved to Springfield in the past couple of years, after the fall of SRG and the resignation of Louise Despain, who will support a variety of businesses that may not have been supported by some of the residents who have moved on.

We need to look forward.

Learn from the mistakes of the past.  Save and celebrate the historic houses that are left - we have lost too many, but we still have more 100 year old houses than any other Jacksonville historic district.  Patronize the businesses we have.  If you live in Springfield and have always wanted to own your own shop, do it!  I know a few landlords who are more than reasonable.

I hope you don't actually believe that. Nowhere near that simple.

[KuroiKetsunoHana]

Given its very definition, I don't see how one can market the "Bohemian lifestyle." 

this here's the united states.  we can sell ANYTHING![/i]

(seriously, there's even at least one--rather thick--magazine devoted to having a simple, uncluttered life)

[Miss Fixit]

ChrisUFGator, it actually IS "simple."  That doesn't mean a lot of hard work won't be involved, or that it won't take a long time to achieve results.

I'm just plain sick and tired of hearing about how much SPAR sucks.  Really doesn't matter whether they do or not.  SPAR is not in a position to prevent me from engaging in any legal activity of my choice, including running a business in Springfield. 

At this point, people who have nothing better to do than complain about SPAR and Springfield are more harmful to Springfield than SPAR is.

[ChriswUfGator]

ChrisUFGator, it actually IS "simple."  That doesn't mean a lot of hard work won't be involved, or that it won't take a long time to achieve results.

I'm just plain sick and tired of hearing about how much SPAR sucks.  Really doesn't matter whether they do or not.  SPAR is not in a position to prevent me from engaging in any legal activity of my choice, including running a business in Springfield. 

At this point, people who have nothing better to do than complain about SPAR and Springfield are more harmful to Springfield than SPAR is.

This thread, by its very nature, is about the past, and about the mistakes that allowed 1/3 of a national historic district to be demolished. If you don't know from whence you came, it is often difficult to determine where you're going. So, in that sense, and especially considering some of these types of activities have continued right up until recently, I think it is important to bear in mind how we got here. Thanks to SPAR, Springfield may well lose its historic designation. If that doesn't bother you, then by all means that's your business, though personally I find it shocking.

In the meantime, as you noted, we are free to do whatever legal activity we so choose, and despite their best efforts, talking about SPAR's misdeeds is not illegal. So I'll continue doing what I see fit, thank you very much, and you of course are welcome to do likewise. Complaining about complaining is still complaining, and hardly secures any moral high ground. If these threads bother you that badly, you could always ask the gentleman next to you to remove the gun from your head and cease forcing you to read them.

[fsujax]

Well said Miss Fixit!

[ChriswUfGator]

Well said Miss Fixit!

She sat idly by while SPAR destroyed 1/3 of a National Historic District, and when someone says so she rebukes them for their alleged negativity. And her rebuke is well said, huh? Where was this rebuking when all of it was going on? I agree she has a mastery for words, it's a shame they weren't directed at the proper parties at the correct time, or things may have turned out different for Springfield.

[KuroiKetsunoHana]

chris, i usually like and agree with what you have to say, but you're beïng unnecessarily vitriolic here.

[ChriswUfGator]

chris, i usually like and agree with what you have to say, but you're beïng unnecessarily vitriolic here.

Not vitriolic. More like bemused.

I pointed out what SPAR was doing from the beginning, and have received countless lectures from every imaginable source about 'negativity' and how what I've said is in some vague and unexplained way somehow hurting the neighborhood. Of course, I was demonstrably proven to be right all along, and the commentary and information on this website was not only never harmful, but actually suceeded in bringing about a sea change that has had lasting and positive repercussions for Springfield. Frankly, you'd think she'd be thanking me. Along with Joe and Gloria, and Stephen Dare. Were it not for these efforts, the same group would still be doing the same things.

Unfortunately, the legacy of demolitions that occurred is not erasable.

The neighborhood has struggled to put an exact number on it, which we know now is 500+. And we know exactly what group is responsible. During the entire decade prior to SPAR's formation and subsequent merger to form SPAR Council, there was 1 demolition in 10 years. Compared to 500+ demolitions during their reign.

So is Miss Fixit arguing that represents what, exactly? A statistical anomaly? A mere coincidence? Come on...

Pardon me if I'm not up for more SPAR apologism, at my expense, from a SPAR member.

That's not harsh, or vitriolic. It just happens to be the truth.