Some positive news for 9th and Main?

[thelakelander]

What's the city's plans?  Will they be willing to lease it?

[downtownparks]

Lake, from an email exchange I had about a month ago with the office that administrates the NW trust fund (the body that holds first position on the property)

The City does hold a mortgage in the first position on this property.  We have asked that the foreclosure process be initiated by our General Counsel's office.  They are working on it, however, to my knowledge the process has not been completed.  We are in the process of discussing what our next steps will be should the foreclosure actually take place.

[downtownparks]

The city isnt going to sell the building.

This whole thread is founded on disinformation.

It was incorrect when it was posted.  The city has no intention of ditching the property once it exercises the foreclosure

If in fact the city doesnt plan to sell it, (which isnt what was indicated to me in my conversations) what would they do with it? Why wouldnt they sell it?

[zoo]

Thanks to Tonyaa Weathersbee!

It's not all sunshine in Springfield, but it's nice to see a journalist reporting it more realistically, rather than the usual if-it's-bad-it-must-have-happened-in Springfield rubbish. "Loses lustre" headline is right up T-U's normal reporting approach to the neighborhood, along with the Otto/Ponzi links of the same week. Next week look for obscure ties to Madoff, Bundy, Son of Sam, Gotti, etc, etc, etc...

[jbm32206]

The fact of the matter is, that even though the articles may initially give the appearance that Springfield's a terrible place, they are true and they do hold ties to the neighborhood. However, reading them would also educate the reader as to how it's history from many, many years ago....with the exception of the Golden Boy, which is recent.

The problem is, and has been...that much of what's reported as happening in our neighborhood, really didn't...and were in neighboring areas, but the media is quick to say it's Springfield.

[downtownparks]

Im actually ok with the Ottis Toole, and Ponzi story's. In the case of Ponzi, he was here at a time when Klutho, and the Barnett's, and other power brokers of Jacksonville, and by some extension Florida, lived in Springfield. It would have been completely natural for him to gravitate here. Its not quite as cool as the Machine Gun Kelly house in Ortega, but its ok.

As far as Toole, while its very macabre and sad, its also a compelling piece of history. Look at the discussion on the SPAR forums just weeks before the announcement that officials were closing the Adam Walsh case. There was page upon page of information about him, his mother, where he might have lived. Sad? certainly, compelling? Absolutely.

Springfield's biggest asset is its history, and these are both just pieces of it. Most of the silent movie industry was here, as were several of the Tobacco magnates. Even the story of the Gato murder that Chris Farley has talked so much about, going back in the 1890's!

Springfield doesn't have a PR problem as it relates to historical issues. Hell, look at Savannah. They have a booming tourism industry related to their seedy historical incidents, including a best selling book and movie!!!

[assorted]

Where is the Machine Gun Kelly House in Ortega?

[Lunican]

The Gangster House: This residence at 2815 Grand Avenue is believed to have been inhabited by George "Machine Gun" Kelly in 1933.  Legend has it that before his apprehension, Kelly eluded police by traveling around the country.  In 1933 a reclusive couple that fit the Kelly's description rented this house and abruptly departed two hours before a middle-of-the-night police raid.

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/713/117/