Springfield Update from SPAR

[Lunican]

Dear SPAR Members & Friends


Springfield Monthly Roundtable Meeting was held Wednesday June 20th at the SPAR Office â€"


Main Street Update â€"

Marcy Cook stated officially, that the money for the Main Street project has been allocated - it may not be used for anything else - the bid came in just under the amount that is available.

A contractor has been chosen by COJ - approval from DOT is now needed.

The approval process and administrative paperwork is expected to take several weeks.

COJ has created a Task Force to address razor wire, blight and labor pools.


West 8th Street Update â€"

Vandyke Walker (COJ Street Improvements Department) and Don Robertson (Urban Forrester) both reported on the status of West 8th Street improvements.

Trees, grass and the irrigation system will be repaired.

Research is being done to establish whether existing funds are sufficient or if legislation will be needed to get additional funding.

Marcy Cook noted that the community may want to have input on the medians on East 8th street. If grass and trees are planted, the City will maintain them. If decorative shrubs are planted, the community would be required to maintain them.

The Silver St. project spans from 8th St. to Hogan’s Creek. The proposed project will upgrade the existing storm sewer collection system and include sidewalk restoration, brick restoration along 4th St. and curb returns at all intersection to meet ADA requirements. The project will also include four roundabouts at the following intersections: Laura and 4th St., Laura and 7th St., Pearl and 4th St., and Pearl and 7th St. Some gardens in the right-of-way that will be impacted.  It is anticipated that the Silver St. improvements will help the flooding that occurs on Main St. during heavy rainstorms.

COJ Neighborhoods Departmentâ€"

Kenny Logsdon, James Richardson & Lori DeFrank reiterated COJ’s commitment to Springfield.

COJ Code Enforcement/Property Safety -

As noted by Elaine Lancaster - in the three years since she has been in Springfield, she has seen great improvements. There are currently 435 code violations â€" a 50% reduction from three years ago. Ms. Lancaster said that city agencies are pulling together as a group to improve the situation. It means that more and more people are taking responsibility for maintaining and improving their property.

Ms. Lancaster stated that Property Safety is investigating day labor pools and illegal rooming houses in Springfield.


Zoning -

COJ Zoning Inspector Martin Kennelly met with the State Zoning Inspector who investigates boarding houses and multi-family buildings for compliance. A small group representing SPAR and some neighborhood individuals held a follow-up meeting with Mr. Kennelly on Thursday June 21st  to continue the discussion about boarding house compliance â€" trying to identify those that are licensed or unlicensed - if they are licensed to confirm that they are properly inspected and operating in clean, safe conditions.
JSO -

Lt. Kenny provided statistics on arrests and seizures and DARTS that have been made in the past month â€" call SPAR for information. JSO is training officers to make arrests on HITZ posted properties. Two officers are working with BMLR (Flagship) - evictions are in progress.

For the record - SPAR always supports preservation of historic structures. The COA demolition approval process involves many agencies and organizations - HPC, Property Safety, City Engineers, the Courts â€" all reviewing the conditions of a structure, the owners’ circumstances and the availability of alternatives to demolition.  SPAR’s position is firm â€" demolition is a last resort and can only be justified in situations where there is an imminent threat to public safety.  The SPAR office has received a communication from property safety relating to SPAR’s request for saving the historic home at 321 West 10th Street. They are allowing the new property owner some additional time to see if he can save this home. He will be required to take some immediate safety precautions, stabilize the building, and present his plan and available assets to bring it into compliance. Property/Safety has explained that they have done this in other instances all over the City when an owner has shown a real intent to restore a house.