BIG news in Springfield! SRG Metro

[Metro Jacksonville]

BIG news in Springfield!  SRG Metro

While discussing possible locations for Boomtown in Springfield, I was told at great length that the land under which Premier Grocery  Store sits has been sold off for Condo Development to SRG.Apparently architects and engineers have been in the building for the past week, and employees there described a development that encompasses all of the former Setzer's properties.To put it in geographic context, it is the blocks running from 8th street to 7th street along Hubbard.  It is a massive bit of property and Mack Bissette of SRG has been discussing this kind of project for a while now. ***Update! Uncoincidentally, Urban Jacksonville ran this post (http://www.urbanjacksonville.info/2007/05/01/srg-metro-coming-to-springfield-in-2008/)  today, detailing the proposed condominium project.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/418

[thelakelander]

I was approached about several of these properties a few months ago.  It's good to see that SRG is still moving forward on their development plans.  That property and SRG's others on Main, combined with nearby businesses and projects like Shantytown, 15 West and Springfield Station will bring the needed critical mass of commercial development many residents in the area have been waiting on for years.

In fact, there's a good chance, that section of Main will come back in less time than it will to bring street level life back to downtown's streets.

[Lunican]

This is definitely good news. There is a lot of empty land surrounding Premiere Foods and the Wachovia Bank. If they can pull this off it would dramatically change the area for the better.

[dj]

The only hope I have for this is SRG is involved.  They seem to have been able to move forward on their projects.  I hope this happens, that area of Springfield is so "blighted" and it would be great to see that store go.

[downtownparks]

I understand that SRG does NOT own the premier foods lot, but rather several around it, as well as the Darty Lot on Main. Form personal conversations I have had with Mack (not recently), he has high hopes for these lots, and wants to get them underway as soon as possible. I love that SRG threw the brownstones on the picture batch. I would love to see something ala Newbury st in Boston, or any of the row houses on the upper east side of NY. Those things ROCK!!!

Now, in regards to Premier foods, I do understand that there has been a LOT of interest in that lot from other developers, so perhaps the info is still good, if not 100% accurate.

[02roadking]

This news, if true, would bring nothing but happy tears to my eyes........ ;D

[RG]

Can anyone post some renderings and/or site plans on here or the forums for this project?  This sounds very interesting indeed and I cant wait to learn more.

[thelakelander]

SRG won't be building anything on their sites until at least 2008, according to the story on UrbanJacksonville.info.

[Deuce]

I spoke to an SRG representative last night and they said Mack does not own Premier Foods and has to immediate plans to develop any of that land.

[thelakelander]

The parcels already owned by SRG and being considered for these developments include:

1. 1520 Main (site of short lived Springfield farmer's market) - located on the westside of Main Street, between 6th & Main Streets.  Whatever rises here, should create street level synergy with 15 West, Shanytown and Springfield Station Bar & Grill.

2. West 5th Street - Parcels are located on both sides of the street, between Main & Hubbard Streets.  Whatever rises here, should also complement the critical mass of activity starting to occur around 6th & Main.

3. 31 West 7th Street - There are a few parcels along West 7th, between Laura and Main Streets.  This is a half a block from the corner of 7th & Main, which has a few smaller redevelopments currently in the works, as well.

4. 148 East 7th Street - There's a chuck of SRG land in this area, along 7th between Hubbard and Market Streets.  While SRG may or may not be interested in the old Premiere Foods store, that site, in it's current condition, is the only obstacle standing in the way of connecting what ever rises here with the scene starting to take shape on Main Street.

5. East 3rd & Walnut block. - There's a niced sized parcel of undeveloped land on the block bounded by 3rd, Market, 4th and Liberty Streets.  It's a great infill site that can be a cataylst for additional development in the SE quadrant of the historic district.

Overall, it appears that the Main Street properties will be the first to move forward.  This is important because SRG is not alone in it's quest to improve the corridor's visual image and commercial offerings.  Whatever they contribute will complement the businesses and developments already springing up along Main.  Together, you'll see a vibrant pedestrian friendly commercial environment start to come together in a short period of time.