Are boarding houses really the problem?

[sheclown]

Strider... have you read the SPAR Sept/Oct newsletter?  I'd like to quote from the "Director's Letter" titled "Springfield is All About Neighborly Exchange".

"....I got home in time to attend the monthly meeting of the Springfield Women's Club.  The real truth of all the things we had been saying to people over the past couple of days hit home for me once again.  The meeting featured fun and food and sociability shared by congenial neighbors...and the rooming house issue that SPAR is working on was discussed as well.

   Yes, it is very true, Springfield is all about neighborly exchange.  Our organizations support one another; neighbors help each other, realizing that we have one vision.  These are the components of a strong neighborhood that will support the businesses that make our Commercial Corridors home....

As a new Main Street business owner (Team Recovery Thrift Store) and as a board member of a non-profit in the neighborhood who holds a rooming house license, are you feeling the support?  The point of the matter is this...we do NOT have one vision if that vision relies on exclusivity as its guiding light. 

[AlexS]

I believe what prevents a fruitful discussion is that facts and rumors are mixed together. Additionally moral and guilt are brought into play.

Facts:
1) There are a number of legal special use facilities in Springfield which are grandfathered in.
2) No new special use facilities are allowed in Springfield due to the zoning overlay.
3) There are some well managed rentals in Springfield which provide rules and are intended to aid in addiction recovery.
4) There are some rentals in Springfield which rent to pedophiles and ex-convicts.
5) There are a certain number of people in Springfield which present a danger to themselves or others.

Rumor:
Some new facilities have opened up in Springfield which disguise themselves as legal rental units but are in fact illegal new special use facilities (rooming houses/boarding house/halfway houses).

If the rumor is true, then it would not matter how nice the people are living in these places. It would also not matter if each person has 100 SQFT or 300 SQFT. It would still be against the law. It would be fruitful to prove or disprove the rumor with facts rather than focusing the discussion on the people living in these facilities.

Just my 2 cents.

[fsu813]

Not to mention a certain slum lord is trying to make his way back into the neighborhood, intending to turn his old houses into rooming houses again.

[sheclown]

Not to mention a certain slum lord is trying to make his way back into the neighborhood, intending to turn his old houses into rooming houses again.

Call him what you will, I had heard that he just closed some places for renovations.  If he has kept up his license, he is still as legal as anyone and is entitled to operate in the neighborhood.

[sheclown]

What we have heard is that he has renovated his properties.  Let's see what happens before we condemn him.  Renovating is a great first step, isn't it?

Since he is legal and entitled to operate, it wouldn't hurt to give him the benefit of doubt here. 

(& btw, I believe it is the southeast quadrant where he currently has his houses.)

[sheclown]

I was in his Market Street property not too long ago.  I was pleasantly surprised by the place.  It was freshly painted, the room was nicely furnished (sparse, but adequate), it was clean.  I talked to the manager who was very cooperative and helpful.

Evidence shows me a willingness to improve -- it won't hurt to encourage this.

[sheclown]

The interesting thing about rooming houses is that the zoning is conveyed to the next owner.  If the neighborhood really wants to get rid of the rooming houses, they could buy them.  Otherwise, they could be rooming houses until the end of time.

[sheclown]

Furthermore, since no new rooming houses can open ANYWHERE in Jacksonville (without exception ), that makes these existing properties particularly valuable.

[sheclown]

I really don't have any of the details.  I doubt he is expanding. I think he was trying to cash out and renovating was part of that, until the bubble popped.

Why not call him and ask?

[fsu813]

i was referring to Billy Moats

[sheclown]

... this is one of the neighborhood's boogeymen, I have to tell you....

These are the things that Redwine has NOT done to me:

Never hired a former city council president to lie to city council in an attempt to hurt me
Never hired a lawyer to attack my legal business
Never tried to run over a former resident of mine in an SUV
Never called IRS, DCF, DBPR, Health Dept, Code Enforcement, & etc. on me
Never lied to keep someone I love out of a SPAR building
Never jeered and laughed at me as I was standing before a crowd at a community meeting
Never displayed personal information about me all over the internet
I could go on...
And last but not least, never called me “that clown on Pearl Street”

Tell me…who’s the boogeyman of Springfield?  From my personal experience, it is not Redwine.

[civil42806]

... this is one of the neighborhood's boogeymen, I have to tell you....

These are the things that Redwine has NOT done to me:

Never hired a former city council president to lie to city council in an attempt to hurt me
Never hired a lawyer to attack my legal business
Never tried to run over a former resident of mine in an SUV
Never called IRS, DCF, DBPR, Health Dept, Code Enforcement, & etc. on me
Never lied to keep someone I love out of a SPAR building
Never jeered and laughed at me as I was standing before a crowd at a community meeting
Never displayed personal information about me all over the internet
I could go on...
And last but not least, never called me “that clown on Pearl Street”

Tell me…who’s the boogeyman of Springfield?  From my personal experience, it is not Redwine.

Just a question but does everyone in Springfield behave like a 15 year old girl?

[nvrenuf]

Like, no way.

[sheclown]

I think there was a guy on 3rd street who was pretty mature, but he moved away.

[02roadking]

Only when I don't get my way.............