Main Street Renaissance?

[downtownparks]

I can add $25 to the pool... I think that should be enough to make me a minority owner, right???

I think its a great idea, but In my situation, my "risk" is paid for monthly in my Mortgage on my Springfield home...

Jeremiah, have you found anything you like In Springfield?

[dj]

I would be up for putting down some money to get something started, just need other investors.  I have always wanted to redevelop a property, but can't do it on my own.

[downtownparks]

DJ, The building on the Eastside of Main, between 4th and 5th, is for sale. I have always liked the building, but I have no idea what they want for it. I imagine its too much or it would have already sold, but who knows.

Might be worth looking into.

[downtownparks]

http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=p1q6fv85vxw5&style=o&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=1268447&encType=1

[thelakelander]

They don't really want to sell that building.  Its listed for $1.2 million for 3,500sf on a 70 x 125 lot. :'(

No wonder developers head to the burbs.

http://www.wdrealty.com/listingsearch/Brochure2.asp?ListingNumber=3898

[downtownparks]

My Email to the realtors;  ryanl@colliersdickinson.com, garym@colliersdickinson.com

Hey Guys,

I was just looking at the above listed property, and as a Springfield resident, and someone who lives very close to this building... what kind of drugs are the owners on? IM assuming it has to be them, because no Realtor in their right mind can really expect to make that much on a single story building that doesn't have any walls... Certainly as their Realtor you told them what the building would really sell for, right? 300-400K tops? right?

Certainly we can agree $1.2 Million dollars for a building that is barely standing on a small lot, on a part of Main St that is struggling to revitalize because of absentee owners who are asking too much money for crappy buildings?

Perhaps they aren't on drugs, Maybe this is just an April Fools joke that you guys forgot to pull off the internet?

Just wondering.

Thanks

[RG]

FYI, many of us are involved in developments in the old City of Jax.  Lakelander and Vicupstate are building 15 West, others have invested in homes in Springfield, Riverside, etc and others (including me) have bought distressed rental properties in Riverside and other areas, rehabbed them and rented them out.  So, I am not sure a lecture is in order here.  We are all pretty young at present but we seem to recognize in town potential more than many older developers.  So, I think it is fair to say we do our share for the urban core and this will increase in the future.

[mtraininjax]

you are not going to achieve that status you seek. You must find a way to control the eastside areas and get more of the "suspect" people out of the area, before main street can flourish. Reminds me of the Grant Park area in Atlanta, up and coming, near the ATL zoo and Cyclorama, but still has fringes of "suspect" areas that keep the values down.

The equation is the same as that of downtown, maybe there-in lies the problem, build the homes/fix the homes, wait for developers to build commercial, watch the area prosper. Its a long cycle, that is for sure!

[downtownparks]

I would like to point out, 6 kids were NOT shot in Springfield. That was almost all the way over on Tallyrand... A world away.

Aside from that, I agree, its not a quick cycle.

[Lunican]

I think it's important to note that from Downtown to the Trout River is a federally designated Empowerment Zone. Only the most socially and economically depressed areas are designated as such and there are only several in the entire nation. The purpose of this designation is to make federal money available to help revitalize and bring economic opportunity to the people living in these areas. Attempting to flip unimproved land for huge profits and holding property and buildings without maintaining them is not only shameful, it is actively sabotaging the goals of this federal program and should not be tolerated.

[P]

I'm know i'm late to the punch, but I couldn't have said it better!  I only got the guts (after living in Jax for over 15 years) to visit Springfield yesterday (on a Sunday in broad daylight, lol), and couldn't believe the prices of property...and not just commerical!

While the thoughts of owning a 2000+ sq ft. historicaly significant home at less than $300,000 may seem like a deal to those having lived on Amelia Island, 2 blocks away from downtown, when you're neighbors are a burned-out home, and a condemned property, all of a sudden things aren't so great.

Not only do city codes need to be enforced, but SPAR (I don't claim to know much about them, just making an assumption based on what I saw) should enact covenants and restrictions for all properties within the historic property-lines (like other historic societies do), and start legal proceedings on those that don't abide by them.  This will eliminate the area of rif-raf that can't afford the up-keep of their homes, and the rising cost of property would then be justified.  But, like I said, the way it is now, there are only a few blocks that I would consider living in, and that would be just me (not my children), with a very large guard dog, and a shotgun.  

[Jim]

I love Springfield for the people, as much as the homes. I have lived here almost the entire time I have been in Jacksonville. I wouldn't trade living in Springfield for the suburbs. Is Springfield perfect, Nope, but I love living a mile from the landing, a mile and a half from the Stadium...etc There are too many good things that outway the negatives of living in Springfield. The best thing is that is getting better with every person who decides to call Springfield home.

Urban living is not for everyone. Maybe your the kind that wants a "Perfect neighborhood" with perfect yards, gates and neighbors who never leave there house.

If your up to it, make your way to Shantytown on Thursday night or Spriingfied bar and Grill on Fridays. You might have a good time and meet some great people that make up Springfield.

[Michael]

Real progress is a slow well designed effort. You certainly would not  want buisnesses to open and close frequenty. This would destroy the area not develop it. Be patient and vigilent about the important issues of crime and addiction. When good buisness will arrive  and provide good jobs and stability then in due time things will evolve.
You should be grateful that developers are not as eager as morgage companies to make a quick dollar on the expense of solid long term progress. Patience and vigilence are the keys to a great Main St.

An example is Jacksonville beach. Solid buisnesses are now investing for long term relationships.