Hogan's Creek and potential funding for projects?

[strider]

Noone, while you posted this in the thread entitled "Mothballing Under Attack", I thought it worthy of it's own thread.

Springfield- Help me understand. Gloria, Nicole, Debbie Springfielder, Bridges, tufsu1, Kenfsu, CityLife, and there are more. You all are very obviously organized and are creating change.

2011-560 is Shipyards/Landmar Gaffney's district and this represents $23,500,000 and in the next council cycle could be voted on and be history. Right now does anyone realize that FIND projects are being identified and you can ask for Klutho Park or Confederate Park as a dreging project or possible small Canoe or Kayak launch.

FIND has money.
City of Jacksonville will seek and provide the matching funds to Make It Happen. Attach an amendment for say $100,000 to 2011-560 for some secure money. Now, I have been advocating for the pier.

But if Springfield wanted a dredging project or any money from this settlement agreement I believe you need to ask. But again help me to understand how nobody seems to be concerned. What am I not seeing?

Time.  Sort of the problem in a nutshell.  If we did not have to fight to just try to save the remaining houses, then perhaps we could think about Hogan's Creek.  But if the historic designation become mute through the loss of historic fabric, how will Hogan's Creek help?

I do find it interesting that you say no one cares, Noone, when there is supposedly an organization handling Hogan's Creek.  But then, that is a large part of the battle here.  What is said is not what is really going on.  If there is funding like that out there, why is SPAR Council not in communication with you?  They should be.  They have had the inside track (per them) on Hogan's creek for quite sometime.  Obviously anther point of SPAR Council taking credit for doing something when in fact they have done nothing at all.

None is right, this should be important to the community.  As SPAR Council obviously is not handling it, who can?  This is not really the mission for  PSOS or SAMBA or even SS, so who can step up and work with Noone to get this done? The Woman's Club/ Springfield Improvement Association has a great history of fighting for funding for the parks and getting it.  Perhaps it is there that you and the community can find the help we all need.

[Springfielder]

As a member of Preservation SOS, I am more concerned with remaining focused on our mission, which is saving the historic structures within the historic district. I'm also VERY busy with maintaining the alleys, corners, etc., (moving, picking up trash and clipping back the overgrown limbs and brush) in the neighborhood. I spend most of my Saturday mornings doing just that, and when I can find more time, I'll do more. Between working full time, and what I've already stated, I simply haven't a great deal of free time to get more involved in other issues.

However, I have written to Gafffney and the council about Hogans creek, and supported your efforts. Yes, I want Hogans creek cleaned, dredged and maintained, but at the present....my main concern is stopping the city from destroying our historic district, and the demolitions that continue to happen at an alarming rate.

Obviously, your main interest is the creek, but don't fault others for not being able to devote the time to the same concerns, when we feel ours is just as important. Perhaps it would be best to set up an organization just for this, which is how/why other organizations in the neighborhood have started.

[strider]

Noone, as others have indicated on other threads, funding for many things is hard to come by.  If these are matching grants, then it can be difficult to come up with the matching part of the equation.  However, sometimes matching grants allow all or at least part of it to be volunteer hours value.  Do you know if these are?

[Noone]

Strider and Springfielder, I do appreciate the thread. As far as I know this is a cash for cash grant. 2011-560 is not an emergency. $23,000,000. Just say it over and over again. Thats a ton of dough. This is also what North Miami and I did last week by alerting Jim Love and Dist. 14.

560 is slated for Rules and Finance. Gaffney has ignored me completely. Sure 1 or two emails for a complimentary attempt to say that I did call Nooney or emailed him over a period of 4 years. But you guys in my opinion if its the new SPAR, SOS, SAMBA, and if I missed some group or didn't get the acronym right can have this for Confederate Park or Klutho. In 4 years it will be 4 years when I met the commissioners of FIND. This project would be one of the biggest and most fast tracked projects out there. Just ASK.

[Springfielder]

the problem is, it's matching funds and we don't  have that kind of money...we're all volunteers. As for Gaffney, he's one of the problems...and rarely bothers to help anyone in his district

[avs]

Cleaning up Hogan's Creek can fit into our mission at Sustainable Springfield, however as Springfielder mentioned, SS, like SOS, is all volunteer and finding matching funds is a real challenge.  5 years down the line, SS may be in a position to take on something like this, but for now we have to build our organization with projects that are manageable and that we can raise the money for.

[dougskiles]

Noone, how about St Johns Riverkeeper?  Have you contacted them about funding opportunities?

[avs]

^+1 Great idea Doug

[fieldafm]

Just cleaned the truck from yesterday's cleanup. 

There are three potential sources of funding I have identified.  Right now I am working on two things... one of which would bring awareness to the actual problems surroudning the greenway on a holistic level.  The next step would then be getting the proper parties to give us access to specific locations.

The Riverkeeper is working on a potential program next year that would target a lot of these urban tributaries... Hogans being of course one of them. 

[north miami]

Noone, how about St Johns Riverkeeper?  Have you contacted them about funding opportunities?

Funding for what specific needs,opportunities?
City of Jacksonville Tributary Assesement program has long identified certifiably impaired waterways in need of restoration.
Number two ranked Fishweir Creek is fifteen years behind schedule.Conceived as a joint City/ Federal Army Cops of Engineers comprehensive restoration project,Federal funding was yanked midstream in the need and design phase.
Only recently has the design phase proceeded to another critical phase.
By the way,our first RiverKeeper Michael Hollingsworth is heading up the Corp effort.


Trash load source point likely will NOT be included in the long awaited Fishweir project.......leaving this critical component as stand alone challenge.

City storm water fee/Public Works a key funding source for Fishweir.The Federl side via a national restoration program that proved way more popular than the original dollar allotment could keep up with,coupled with other "needs".
The first $50,000 study phase was thwarted half way through.Could not spare $25,000.Nor would the city fund........


There have been some water quality improvements.
We had living proof walk up to us at Hogans Saturday......a Mr.Fred Taylor.Well spoken,Mr Taylor told us we were cleaning up his swimming spot.......1960's."Doo Doo Creek" back then he told us.
Mr.Taylor also noted that the water condition has changed for the better during the past couple of years.He is seeing bottom for the first time.
I recall the thrill with my native Miami River.
COJ Dana Morton has profiled water quality improvements with McCoys.
RK Neil has also noted presence of critters not tolerant to really really bad.......

Point Source trash inflow a formidable impact.To see it in person is stunning.And anything  seen,any bag of trash "cleaned",but a blip in the Trash Parade marching to the river.

[north miami]

Cleaning up Hogan's Creek can fit into our mission at Sustainable Springfield, however as Springfielder mentioned, SS, like SOS, is all volunteer and finding matching funds is a real challenge.  5 years down the line, SS may be in a position to take on something like this, but for now we have to build our organization with projects that are manageable and that we can raise the money for.

The burden can not rightfully rest solely on Springfield.
Hogans Creek is a matter of broad public interest,regional River System health,effective River Advocacy and the well being of Duval county.

interesting how these things work.......A Creek Runs Through It!

[iloveionia]

As an individual I commit to helping in many facets of improvement, or at least I try. I appreciate Noone being kept in the loop about Hogan's Creek, so thank you.  I will do whatever I am able to better Hogan's Creek. 
SOS will focus on the houses.  It is as so many said, our mission.  That said, I have written many, many letters on behalf of SOS to various city entities and people.  Say the word anytime and you've got that support.

[north miami]

Select waterways that have seen certain local restoration efforts have benefitted from the national
Urban Waters Federal Partnership

By the way,related FYI see.   Www.paddlethelariver.org