Why I love Springfield

[duchessd]

I must preface my post with, I don't live in Springfield.  With that said, I love Springfield for its architecture and the unexpected finds in the folds of the neighborhood.  Earlier this year I happened upon Vanderleigh Antiques on East 10th Street and was delighted to find such a great resource, especially being in the trade myself.  I am now happy to be part of Vanderleigh, showcasing my merchandise while in between antique shows.  Another great find was Three Layers!  With businesses of this nature, I can see why those that live in Springfield choose to do so.

[Omarvelous09]

The Peaceful Mornings and Evenings
The trees, and birds.
All the stray cats that follow you when you walk, nudging your legs.
The old people who sit on their porches, speaking to everyone who walks by.
The Superette.
The late night silence.
My neighbors
The central location, being close to everything i do.
Kids playing in the street that don't move outta the way for cars
The morning fog at the park across the street.
The geese i see every morning on the way to work.
The diversity.
The architecture
The fact that everyone says hello, except the newbies.
That one guy who's been running for years with his German Shepard.
The old folks from the towers in their electric chairs, drinking beers while driving.
The sunday evening B-ball players yelling at each other.
The teenage girls who flirt with me when I'm in the yard working.

All the not so perfect things, make it perfect in my opinion. Springfield will never be Avondale or San Marco, and nor should it be. Allow the neighborhood to evolve organically, and stop trying to make it a replica...I'd rather have the authentic. 

p.s....how ignorant do all of us sound? "West side vs. East side" are we gang members? All of that rivalry sounds great to those on the inside...but to all the other hundreds of thousands of people who don't live in springfield, it makes us sound like we live in a 3rd world country. How about we work to improve the neighborhood as a whole, neither side is better, safer, or cleaner...they both need work. A coffee shop does not equate to being better.

[sheclown]

Stephen, what a great memory of Springfield.  You have a beautiful family.

[sheclown]

In the early 60s JFK drove down Main Street in Springfield.  Ms. Ruby had a picture of him from a local newspaper hung up in her rooming house.

I believe he later ate lunch that day at what is now Alco House on First and Hubbard.

[zoo]

I believe that photo of him will be featured in the next issue of the SPAR newsletter. If you haven't seen it, stop by SPAR and ask Brenda to have a look...

[sheclown]

I believe that photo of him will be featured in the next issue of the SPAR newsletter. If you haven't seen it, stop by SPAR and ask Brenda to have a look...

Maybe you could get a copy and print it here.

[alta]

Where/When/Who about the kickball team? Do you have more information on that?

Springfield's kickball team Klutho Kickers finished this season 4th out of 16 teams.  Playoffs are Thursday night at 7 p.m. St. Nicholas Park.  Heading east on Beach Blvd turn right on the block after Havana Jax.  The park is a couple of blocks down on the right.  After party every week is at Burrito Gallery.  Come hang out with a couple hundred kickball kids who have a blast every Thursday listening to Ian Ranne spin some awesome music.  Meet the Springfield residents and hang out with the rest of the party people in the league. 

[Johnny]

p.s....how ignorant do all of us sound? "West side vs. East side" are we gang members? All of that rivalry sounds great to those on the inside...but to all the other hundreds of thousands of people who don't live in springfield, it makes us sound like we live in a 3rd world country. How about we work to improve the neighborhood as a whole, neither side is better, safer, or cleaner...they both need work. A coffee shop does not equate to being better.

I think you may be referring to my post about not having the issues that moved spoke about... If so, sorry Omarvelous, but I haven't been robbed at gunpoint, I haven't had my car vandalized or broken into, I haven't had any of the issues moved stated since I've lived here (5 years). From my understanding though, moved lives in a rougher area in the NW quad (I may not be 100% correct on that, but I believe it to be true). If anyone is in any area of Springfield or anywhere in this city for that matter and experiencing those same issues, well I am sorry for them as well, as I truly hope (and thought I was clear in it) moved's problems go away or the house is able to sell. I hate the idea that someone doesn't feel safe or happy regardless of where they live. It can't be a good feeling. I however do feel comfortable sitting on my porch at night drinking a glass of brew or wine. I have good neighbors and that stretches for blocks, when me and my wife and child walk the neighborhood we are greeted by many older people sitting on their porches as well. Sometimes welcomed up to have a chat, even tour their home. It is very quiet here at night as you also stated.... oh and the coffee shop is a major plus, whether you like it or not.

[Springfielder]

p.s....how ignorant do all of us sound? "West side vs. East side" are we gang members? All of that rivalry sounds great to those on the inside...but to all the other hundreds of thousands of people who don't live in springfield, it makes us sound like we live in a 3rd world country. How about we work to improve the neighborhood as a whole, neither side is better, safer, or cleaner...they both need work. A coffee shop does not equate to being better.

I think you may be referring to my post about not having the issues that moved spoke about... If so, sorry Omarvelous, but I haven't been robbed at gunpoint, I haven't had my car vandalized or broken into, I haven't had any of the issues moved stated since I've lived here (5 years). From my understanding though, moved lives in a rougher area in the NW quad (I may not be 100% correct on that, but I believe it to be true). If anyone is in any area of Springfield or anywhere in this city for that matter and experiencing those same issues, well I am sorry for them as well, as I truly hope (and thought I was clear in it) moved's problems go away or the house is able to sell. I hate the idea that someone doesn't feel safe or happy regardless of where they live. It can't be a good feeling. I however do feel comfortable sitting on my porch at night drinking a glass of brew or wine. I have good neighbors and that stretches for blocks, when me and my wife and child walk the neighborhood we are greeted by many older people sitting on their porches as well. Sometimes welcomed up to have a chat, even tour their home. It is very quiet here at night as you also stated.... oh and the coffee shop is a major plus, whether you like it or not.

Johnny, there's no need for you to apologize...especially for such an uninformed comment, suggesting that our harmless east side-west side rivalry.

When I first moved to the neighborhood, I lived on the west side...where I had countless car covers stolen, a variety of items stolen from my porch and back yard...and in the area where moved lives...it was always a bit more rough, because of the close proximity to 8th street and Lincoln court behind Shands. However, when I moved to the east side, there were hookers strolling up and down the streets here too...and it took a lot of effort to finally chase them away. I experienced threats, but never the armed robbery or car jacking as moved.

However, as the houses are purchased, renovated and then occupied, the crime went down...and sadly, this is a major problem with where moved lives, as there's the blodgett housing just across the park and still a vast majority of abandoned properties...that are a magnet for criminal elements.

As for the whether or not the coffee equates better....it does in a sense, because now there's activity of the positive kind in the area...more decent people coming and going does equal more of a safety factor.

[Omarvelous09]

p.s....how ignorant do all of us sound? "West side vs. East side" are we gang members? All of that rivalry sounds great to those on the inside...but to all the other hundreds of thousands of people who don't live in springfield, it makes us sound like we live in a 3rd world country. How about we work to improve the neighborhood as a whole, neither side is better, safer, or cleaner...they both need work. A coffee shop does not equate to being better.

I think you may be referring to my post about not having the issues that moved spoke about... If so, sorry Omarvelous, but I haven't been robbed at gunpoint, I haven't had my car vandalized or broken into, I haven't had any of the issues moved stated since I've lived here (5 years). From my understanding though, moved lives in a rougher area in the NW quad (I may not be 100% correct on that, but I believe it to be true). If anyone is in any area of Springfield or anywhere in this city for that matter and experiencing those same issues, well I am sorry for them as well, as I truly hope (and thought I was clear in it) moved's problems go away or the house is able to sell. I hate the idea that someone doesn't feel safe or happy regardless of where they live. It can't be a good feeling. I however do feel comfortable sitting on my porch at night drinking a glass of brew or wine. I have good neighbors and that stretches for blocks, when me and my wife and child walk the neighborhood we are greeted by many older people sitting on their porches as well. Sometimes welcomed up to have a chat, even tour their home. It is very quiet here at night as you also stated.... oh and the coffee shop is a major plus, whether you like it or not.

Johnny, there's no need for you to apologize...especially for such an uninformed comment, suggesting that our harmless east side-west side rivalry.

When I first moved to the neighborhood, I lived on the west side...where I had countless car covers stolen, a variety of items stolen from my porch and back yard...and in the area where moved lives...it was always a bit more rough, because of the close proximity to 8th street and Lincoln court behind Shands. However, when I moved to the east side, there were hookers strolling up and down the streets here too...and it took a lot of effort to finally chase them away. I experienced threats, but never the armed robbery or car jacking as moved.

However, as the houses are purchased, renovated and then occupied, the crime went down...and sadly, this is a major problem with where moved lives, as there's the blodgett housing just across the park and still a vast majority of abandoned properties...that are a magnet for criminal elements.

As for the whether or not the coffee equates better....it does in a sense, because now there's activity of the positive kind in the area...more decent people coming and going does equal more of a safety factor.

Uninformed? Actually I've been here longer than most of you, and have witnessed the re-gentrification first hand. So many people have put in hard work over the past 20 years, to make the neighborhood what it is today. Personally i have never had any serious problems in the neighborhood. Yes I've had a bike stolen, or a plant taken off my porch...but that kind of stuff can and does happen everywhere. It's unfortunate that a few people have had such bad experiences, but i don't think living close to Blodgett has much to do with it. I live across from that park...and have never had any problems. No, i don't think Springfield is for everyone...it is an urban neighborhood, and comes with its baggage.  Also, i have no problem with 3 Layers. I only mentioned it because so many Springfield residents (especially newer ones) seem to believe that because a business is successful, it makes one part of THE SAME NEIGHBORHOOD better. I'm glad its there, and thriving...but that shouldn't make people think ill of the "west". It should excite and motivate us to spread those kind of businesses to all parts of the neighborhood. What homeowners have done with east of Main St. is great, i remember when people avoided that side.
My comment was not meant to upset, but rather to open your eyes to the bigger picture.

[Springfielder]

I understand what you're saying, and for the most part agree that crime can happy anywhere, as evidenced by the armed robberies that took place last winter, along Market street, and of course, there was the homicide that happened on Walnut by 1st.

Living near Blodgett is most certainly has a negative impact, as does living near Lincoln court behind Shands. Especially when the armed carjackers were found to be living there (Blodgett)....so yes, it does impact the area. Not to mention neighbors who witness drug sales by those in the park and then take off across the wooden bridge back to Blodgett. There's also the problem locations such as the apartment building on 6th, just west of Main (can't think of it's name off hand) Or the hookers along 8th street that cause problems throughout the night. Are there problems on the east side, I'm sure there are...but it's pretty well known and documented that the west has very specific problems....hence the hiring of the off duty JSO personnel to patrol the area. Hence the SHADCO meetings where the neighbors complain about the ongoing problems.

I'm glad to hear that you've not had much in the way of problems...and thankfully, neither do I. As for the east vs west, as I said, it's basically a friendly neighborhood rivalry, but stats do show that there's more crime taking place on the west side, those cannot be disputed.

[Omarvelous09]

I understand what you're saying, and for the most part agree that crime can happy anywhere, as evidenced by the armed robberies that took place last winter, along Market street, and of course, there was the homicide that happened on Walnut by 1st.

Living near Blodgett is most certainly has a negative impact, as does living near Lincoln court behind Shands. Especially when the armed carjackers were found to be living there (Blodgett)....so yes, it does impact the area. Not to mention neighbors who witness drug sales by those in the park and then take off across the wooden bridge back to Blodgett. There's also the problem locations such as the apartment building on 6th, just west of Main (can't think of it's name off hand) Or the hookers along 8th street that cause problems throughout the night. Are there problems on the east side, I'm sure there are...but it's pretty well known and documented that the west has very specific problems....hence the hiring of the off duty JSO personnel to patrol the area. Hence the SHADCO meetings where the neighbors complain about the ongoing problems.

I'm glad to hear that you've not had much in the way of problems...and thankfully, neither do I. As for the east vs west, as I said, it's basically a friendly neighborhood rivalry, but stats do show that there's more crime taking place on the west side, those cannot be disputed.

[/quote

If you look for it, you'll find it...

Most of those problems arent as bad as they used to be, cant say i've seen anything more than people smoking weed at the park. As far as the Prostitutes go, havent really seen them since early this year...thanks to residents and JSO. Dont know how long you've been over here, but i remember when the stroll was 5th & Hubbard-Walnut...so i'm sure they'll turn up wherever there's room. As far as which side has more crime, i'd like to see some statistics backing your statement. Honestly i'd rather have the park to look out at, than some nosey, pretentious neighbors starring back.

[Springfielder]

I've been here well over 10 years, and you're right...when I moved to the east side, it was crawling with hookers. It took a long time to finally get most of them to move on.

As for statistics to back up what I said...check out the SHADCO meetings, check out the spar forum...check out JSO

[hooplady]

The only time I use the "east vs west" terminology is during the throwback baseball game.  There are good blocks and better ones...but no bad ones as far as I'm concerned.

[Springfielder]

I agree, and only use it as a friendly rivalry thing....it's never my intention to say the east side is better....even though it is