Is Springfield Ready for a Car Wash?

[ChriswUfGator]

Not one of those five people. named in the letter,  who made calls is or was a member of SPAR, that part is incorrect

Alright. Well Chris, I happen to think you're one of the few on "that side" of this debate who is probably well-intentioned. We may not agree on some of this stuff, but I have never gotten the impression that you're malicious like others. So while I'd normally just make some wise-ass funny response, I will instead actually run through a full explanation of everything that bothers me.

To start with, SPAR has long enlisted the help of the Woman's Club / Springfield Improvement Association to help beef up its pre-orchestrated code-enforcement call-in campaigns (a/k/a/ tortious interference suits waiting to happen) that SPAR has become infamous for.

If you have any doubts, just take a peek at the minutes of just a single recent Woman's club meeting. SPAR, through Claude Moulton, who you'll no doubt recognize as SPAR's current President and member of SPAR's Board of Directors, made the latest presentation pitching the attendees on the perils of what SPAR alleged was a ballooning number of problem properties.

http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:yse4eGilJXAJ:www.springfieldwomansclub.org/orangeblossom_2009-09.pdf+Sharlene+Dano+SPAR+jacksonville&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

At that time, he also talked the Club members into signing yet another petition against rooming / halfway houses (a pretty clear swipe at J&G, given the timing of her fake assault allegations against him), and asked for help with the call-in campaigns. Specifically, the minutes of the meeting describe the petition and go on to say "he asked for our assistance identifying" new problem properties. Ahem. Now what do you think that means? Time to spy on your neighbors!

But I guess the Woman's Club members have reason to be grateful, as at least they were actually told they were signing a petition and not some bogus "sign-in sheet". But anyway, looking at the audience present at just this one single meeting, you'll note that, coincidentally enough, it included Louise DeSpain's buddy Susan Noonan. That name should be familiar, because she and her husband Frank, who also happens to work together with SPAR's own Doug Vanderlaan at SHADCO, were the first calls in this particular rush of SPAR-induced bogus COJ complaints. And I believe Amanda Searle actually is or was a member of both organizations, so I believe the comment that she is not involved was just error. Additionally, all of these people have been directly involved with SPAR at one time or another.

You'll also note Sharlene Dano's presence, whose name you should also recognize from the Silas Jones ordeal, since she actually double-dipped and called twice in 20 minutes just to rack up an extra complaint. Additionally, all of the above, including Louise DeSpain, get together for "Operation Safe Streets" and are all well familiar with each other.

http://www.coj.net/NR/rdonlyres/e73xv7ncms3vrga6bqofml5ocb3nyv3qfsnxs7vtbsppukqcyxxulzu2ci7cwoo5327ud7trj3fojqg5b3j77bn5bre/OSS+Report+032008.pdf

So this group is all intertwined. The organizations they're involved with are ostensibly serving the public good, but wind up getting sidetracked and involved in one individual's personal crusades. And also bear in mind, these are just the complaints that COJ has names for. God knows how many "anonymous" complaints got called in. I bet for every one with a name attached, there were multiple anonymous ones. That's human nature.

So why does this happen? Where does this come from? Well, there's one particular person who goes on these ridiculous crusades. Why? I don't know. Her longest-running one has to be the one vs. Strider and Sheclown. I mean, that one just gets downright crazy. She tried to have him trespassed for a bogus assault allegation, banned him from public meetings, and to put the icing on this particular layer-cake of dysfunction, she actually had the gall to write Obama a letter where, in between rambling on about various topics and apologizing for the ugly state of the neighborhood (and everyone who says what a great job SPAR's done over the last decade, go ahead and explain why its director is apologizing that he had to look at the place), she makes a point of sliding in several paragraphs that blame Springfield's current problems on them, I $h!t you not.

I'm still debating whether this hilarious letter deserves its own thread. May as well just send in their pictures too, and ask him to get the CIA to "intervene." Her letter goes off on how "certain social services organizations in and near our district" have caused Springfield to suffer an "overflow of homeless and mentally challenged persons," and how SPAR "has worked closely with the City of Jacksonville’s Code Compliance division to enforce municipal code violations in the community that continue to cause blight and deterioration", yada, yada, yada.

I have to take a second to hand it to Strider here...apparently he pissed her off bad enough that Code Enforcement just wasn't doing it anymore, she actually wrote the President of the United States! LMFAO!

So anyway, with these call-ins, the motivation is irrational, and usually based on incorrect information (like when she showed up and accosted the guy with his two adopted kids because she thought it was a halfway house), and it all comes from one place. She needs as many people as possible to participate in these call-ins in order to trigger COJ action, and so these additional people get enlisted in it.

Some of them probably just take her at face-value, some probably just don't know any better, and some do it because SPAR, SHADCO, the WC, Safe Streets, etc., comprise such a large part of their social network that they'll probably just do what they feel pressured to do. Anyway, for kicks, here's her ridiculous letter to Obama for entertainment value;

Dear President-Elect Obama,

What an exciting time we are in, and what an optimism you and your promises of urban renewal bring to the Springfield National Historic District in Jacksonville, Florida, and areas like ours nationwide.

My name is Louise DeSpain, and I am the Executive Director of the Springfield Preservation and Revitalization (SPAR) Council (www.sparcouncil.org). As indicated, Springfield is a National Historic District, and is located on the northern edge of the City of Jacksonville’s downtown Central Business District.

Like many urban neighborhoods, Springfield began declining in the 1950’s, endured racial conflict in the 1960s, and continued into physical, economic and educational deterioration, with increases in crime, drug usage/addiction, and teen birth/infant mortality rates well into the 1990s.

I believe you have familiarity with our neighborhood, as your Jacksonville campaign headquarters were located in one of our Klutho-designed historic structures at 1830 N. Main Street. Our community may not have been pretty when you visited, but SPAR’s hope is that soon, it will be pretty (but we've done SUCH a good job!), safe and enriching for all its residents.

Through resident commitment, municipal, state and federal programs, and with recent support from our District 7 Councilmember, Dr. Johnny Gaffney, Springfield has made much progress doing all of the “right” things:      (yeah, that's why you're apologizing to Obama for even having to look at the place, right?)

- In 1987, a one-mile square area founded in 1869 and containing a significant number of homes and commercial buildings constructed from the 1890s-1920s, was designated the Springfield National Historic District (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springfield,_Jacksonville,_Florida);

- In 1994, the Springfield area and many of its surrounding neighborhoods were designated a Federal Empowerment Zone;

- In 1995, the State of Florida passed similar legislation designating the area a Florida Enterprise Zone. SPAR now fundraises in three key areas, Residential Safety & Maintenance, Commercial Corridor Revitalization, and Hogan’s Creek Parks Revitalization, through the Enterprise Zone’s Community Contribution Tax Credit program (§220.183 F.S.);

- In 2001, the Springfield Historic District Zoning Overlay was enacted, protecting the community from new infiltration of inappropriate land uses; (Insert Joe and Gloria's picture here)

- Since 2003, the City of Jacksonville has invested more than $20M on streetscape improvement, including new underground utility, sewer and stormwater infrastructure, on our two main commercial corridors, Main Street and 8th Street;

- Between the mid-1990s and the mid-2000s, SHARP grants and façade grants were available to support existing, and attract new, residents and businesses in the area;

- Springfield has been working closely with its primary “economic engines,” UF/Shands Jacksonville, Florida Community College at Jacksonville (FCCJ) and Bethel Baptist.

o UF/Shands is the Northeast Florida region’s indigent-care facility and Level 1 Trauma Center. The University of Florida has its Medical, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Dentistry schools at this location, and has constructed a $150M proton-therapy cancer treatment center on the Historic District’s border. In conjunction with the County and State Boards of Health, the new federal Veterans Administration facility, and our own Darnell Cookman Middle School of the Medical Arts, Springfield is becoming a regional health and wellness cluster; (Wait a second, wasn't she actually opposed to additional VA presence?)

o FCCJ is the region’s community college focused on transitional jobs and career pathways, and has recently been designated a State College that will offer four-year workforce training and bachelor’s degrees;

- The community has attracted a couple of private developers who are affecting positive change â€" SRG Homes & Neighborhoods (srghomes.com) builds historically-appropriate, single- and multi-family infill homes, and utilizes Empowerment and FLEnterprise Zone credits. (on lots that become vacant due to our code-enforcement call-ins, how convenient!) And Cesery Cos. is building the first new building on Main Street â€" a 47,000 square foot mixed-use project â€" in 40 years, that is expected to add 12 full-time jobs to the area;

- SPAR has been in close partnership with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) for the past three years. Springfield hosts a monthly Sheriff’s Advisory Committee (SHADCO) meeting, and SPAR, working with private partners, has funded in excess of $500,000 of community policing over that time period;

- Since 2006, SPAR has worked closely with the City of Jacksonville’s Code Compliance division to enforce municipal code violations in the community that continue to cause blight and deterioration. (Yeah I'll say so, they sure keep COJ's phones ringing off the hook with bogus complaints!) SPAR has a very successful Block Captains program and ,with the support of private partners, funded in excess of $500,000 of litter and trash removal;

- SPAR has expressed its interest in partnering with the City of Jacksonville’s Housing and Neighborhoods department to implement the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, and specifically HERA 2008 §2301(c)(3)(D) and 24 CFR 570.201(d), within the portion of the 32206 ZIP targeted area that is overlapped by the Historic District;      Yes, I'd like more power please! Holy crap, if you think condo boards are bad, you better hope THIS doesn't happen...

- The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) submitted an operational grant application to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to provide a more reliable and frequent trolley service from the residential areas of the community to/from its nearby economic and employment centers;

- SPAR has recently partnered with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) to receive board training and a grant to employ a Commercial Corridor coordinator and Americorps assistant. LISC and the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) named Springfield one of the top five emerging urban markets nationwide along with Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn, and communities in Philadelphia, Detroit and Minneapolis (yes, we're getting compared to bed-stuy, brooklyn, and detroit, but naturally, we've still done SUCH a good job) ;

- Springfield has a 27-acre string of parks that adjoin the Historic District and Jacksonville’s central business district. The park system contains Hogan’s Creek, which flows into the St. Johns River, one of 14 American Heritage Rivers, and contains remnants of a stormwater management systems engineered in 1928. In 2006, Springfield hosted the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra for an outdoor concert and holds 4th of July “throwback” baseball games and other events on an annual basis; (I never knew SPAR paid for the Symphony Orchestra! Man, who knew! Clearly credit where credit is due...)

- The City of Jacksonville has included a one-block area of this park system in its list of ash clean-up sites, as a result of an EPA lawsuit; (yes, because getting sued by the EPA is always something you want to brag about to the President...)

- SPAR has grown the organizational capacity of the neighborhood, which now has a merchants and business association (SAMBA), an animal rescue group (SACARC), a Mommies Group, a Garden Club, the first Girl Scouts of America troop in 50 years, and more; (WOW, talk about credit-taking! Who knew that SPAR started the Garden Club? Especially since the Garden Club was founded in 1922, and SPAR was founded in 1974. Time-travel is definitely one hell of an accomplishment!)

- Springfield is the home of four excellent youth programs/centers including The Bridge (modeling its programs on the Harlem Children’s Zone), The Sanctuary (the subject of NPR spoken-word-artist Al Letson’s “Summer at Sanctuary” â€" stateofthereunion.com), The Boys’ and Girls’ Club, and the Robert F. Kennedy Community Center (municipal);

- Springfield, and more specifically the Klutho Building at 1830 N. Main St., is the home of Operation New Hope, which created the nationally-recognized Ready4Work program for ex-offenders; and, (so wait a second...apparently we don't mind convicted felons running around, but those awful recovering alcoholics and community service orgs that I just don't like, are responsible for ALL the problems around here!)

- Is adjacent to, and has close relationships with, nearby successful urban Jacksonville CDCs, including Ron Pauline’s MetroNorth CDC (metronorthcdc.org) and Paul Tutwiler’s Northwest Jacksonville CDC (northwestjaxcdc.org). (I wonder if they would agree as to how close their relationship is?)

As you can see, SPAR, in partnership with the public and private organizations at the local, state and national levels, has taken a very comprehensive approach to revitalization, because we know we must provide an environment where pride and economic success can be achieved by all of our residents (Yup, that's why we call in bogus complaints and oppose zoning variances when new businesses want to open up in our neighborhood!). Despite our progress, we also face many hurdles ahead: (like we might finally be forced to hold elections!)

- Underfunded Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) needs in Springfield; our neighborhood’s “gateway” is blighted by a 1960s hotel that makes our community look more like Beirut than an urban National Historic District. This hotel at 901 N. Main St. is privately-owned, and is a Superfund site (FLSFN0407139) for which “an eligible response site (ERS) exclusion decision has been made;” (OK, I gotta agree with her there, the Park View is an eyesore and a half)

- Environmental contamination throughout the 27-acre park system that has been known about, but considered too large/costly a problem to fix, since 1993; Hogan’s Creek contamination flowing into the St. Johns River; un-maintained park infrastructure - deteriorated or destroyed stormwater system results in regular flooding and sewer overflows in the community;

- FDOT rejected Springfield’s trolley grant. The JTA has been exploring streetcar, a transit option that is proven to result in economic development, but anticipates transportation funding will be directed toward suburban road development;

- In today’s banking climate, the re-development of Springfield’s commercial corridors is more severely handicapped â€" by lack of available credit and developer incentives â€" than it would have otherwise been by what much of the retailing industry considers “undesirable demographics;”

- Lack of municipal funding for CPTED-based crime prevention measures, trash and litter control, public space maintenance and youth programming in the urban core neighborhoods â€" Jacksonville has been unable to identify adequate funding for programs mandated by ordinance (Zero Tolerance on Litter), nor can our private partners sustain their investment in municipal services in today’s economy; (how much trash could you pick up in all that time you spend feuding with your own neighbors)

- The high concentration of social service organizations in and near our District does not adequately serve a city of Jacksonville’s size, resulting in an overflow of under-served homeless and mentally-challenged persons into the community; and (yes, please refer to those photos of Joe and Gloria included for the CIA's convenience)

- Springfield’s greatest hurdle is the speed at which government, at any level, operates. (Yup, as stated in multiple e-mails to every city official imaginable, we just can't tear these damned historic houses down fast enough!)

Again, Mr. Obama, we are buoyed by your attention to the plight of the urban community and its residents and proponents. I am aware you recently held a “summit” in the capital with 2,000 community organizers â€" I look forward to hearing how their input, as well as that from Adolfo Carrion of the Office of Urban Policy and Melody Barnes of the Domestic Policy Council, will benefit communities nationwide like the Springfield Historic District. (wow, 2,000 different community orgs and SPAR wasn't even invited? But we're doing SUCH a good job...)

Springfield’s location makes it an optimal solution to Jacksonville’s economic and environmental sprawl, and the community supports the Obama-Biden Plan, and its focus on cities. We welcome you back to Springfield anytime you are in Northeast Florida. (nice to know SPAR declares the Springfield community are all Obama-Biden supporters)

Best regards,

Louise DeSpain, Executive Director
Springfield Preservation and Revitalization (SPAR) Council

[Tom Joad]

Well I for one like my cars dirty thank you very much 

[ChriswUfGator]

Is there a 12 step program for other very public human foibles?

Funny you'd mention that, as I hear they have some very effective anger management courses now.

Maybe if the landslide of 39 signed up, we wouldn't have so many chair-throwings at public meetings, racist rants, drunken screaming matches, etc., going on every time you turn around. I would be happy to contact Betty Griffin House and see if they can't swing a group-discount for anger management courses for SPAR. Some of them really seem to have some serious issues with uncontrollable rage.

[Springfield Girl]

Sorry I am just now geting back to this, I have been enjoying myself in New Orleans. Chris, the information you yourself posted stated that the carwash ceased operation in 93, 17 years ago! I don't care what Mr. Jones or anyone else put INSIDE the building back in 1995, the place has been a blighted mess. How do I know this, I have been living around the corner from the site for 9 years. My good friend has lived behind the site for 12 years. We have seen this "carwash" firsthand all that time while you post letters and second hand gossip as your "facts". We have lived with the real truth for years.

[ChriswUfGator]

Sorry I am just now geting back to this, I have been enjoying myself in New Orleans. Chris, the information you yourself posted stated that the carwash ceased operation in 93, 17 years ago! I don't care what Mr. Jones or anyone else put INSIDE the building back in 1995, the place has been a blighted mess. How do I know this, I have been living around the corner from the site for 9 years. My good friend has lived behind the site for 12 years. We have seen this "carwash" firsthand all that time while you post letters and second hand gossip as your "facts". We have lived with the real truth for years.

So Silas Jones is lying like everybody else who disagrees with you? Did you read his letter?

Because the place was only closed for 2 years before be bought it, began actively renovating it, and then it's been closed for about the last 3 years because your group has been fighting him tooth & nail over whether to allow it to open. So pardon me for taking issue with your cyclical logic of using the length of time it's been closed as an argument against his opening, when your group is actually the reason it remains closed in the first place. Smells like faulty logic to me.

And regarding the rest of your comments, your opinions mean as little to me as my facts apparently mean to you.

[braeburn]

Would it still be a "blighted mess" if allowed to begin operation? If Mr. Jones is continually prevented from opening his car wash, what good is that really doing for the property and the neighborhood now? Allowing it to sit there and rot is not doing Springfield any favors; and a group of people trying to stall and cause this person to close his doors through attrition is also not cool.

[Springfield Girl]

I was not involved in any effort to stop the carwash until this most recent issue.  So I guess it's my fault that Mr. Jones failed to get his business up and running in over 16 years time? Nice try. If everyone else read the facts you would understand that the carwash was shut down for 17 years. Mr. Jones was granted an exception years ago, before the overlay went into effect but did not open the car wash within the designated time allowed. When he finally decided to open, his exception had expired, the overlay had been put in place, neighbors fought the proposed use, he got mad and sold the building. He recently decided to try and revisit the car wash use. He leased the building back from the present owner and applied for an exception. If an exception is needed for a business to open, neighbors have the right to express their opinion. No one should damn people who actually live in the neighborhood for having a different opinion than they do. I don't go into other's neighborhoods and tell them what they should or shouldn't except near their homes. I wonder if the non residents posting on the Springfield threads take this much interest in their own neighborhoods? In the end a final decision will be made but until then people have the right to voice opposition and go through the process.

[CS Foltz]

Well SG...........I am not a Springfield resident but take exception to just "how much interest I have in my neighborhood"! I pick up trash, join in on the work party's and took it upon myself to climb up and down a 12' ladder to change out all of the light globes in my hood! By my standards.....all of Jacksonville is part of my hood since I have lived here for quite sometime now (24 years now) and consider this part of the world my home! It is to everyone's advantage to clean up (did SPAR commence Main Street cleanup yet?) paint and primp to show pride in one's area of residence. Being only one person, my time is limited but I do make effecient use of it.......so I have to ask ...........just when was the last time you participated in a Main Street cleanup or your block? Judging by what I saw last time I went to Three layers..........not too many have done so or even seem to care enough to do something as mundane as pick up trash!

[nvrenuf]

Ok CS Foltz, this is when I have to call BS on your statements. There are many, many of us who pick up trash if not daily, every other day. And there are also fine citizens of Springfield who feel the need to drop every bit of trash as soon as they are done with it. Lottery tickets, beer & soda cans, chips bags, cigar wrappers, dirty diapers, condom wrappers, used condoms, etc. So perhaps you should refrain from talking about what you don't know.

The last Main Street cleanup was last month and SG as well as her husband were both there, just as she has been for almost every one for as far back as I can remember. AND that was the day after she hosted a very busy First Friday party.

[braeburn]

I wonder if the non residents posting on the Springfield threads take this much interest in their own neighborhoods? In the end a final decision will be made but until then people have the right to voice opposition and go through the process.

If you are referring to me I feel very sorry for you. I live on Ashley St. which is on the borderline to the neighborhood. It would not matter if I were in Mandarin - I have a vested interest in the downtown area and the surrounding neighborhoods.

And of course it is not your fault that he spent the amount of time or delays that he did. Although I find it all to be a very convenient excuse to cover the true reason behind why this is not wanted in the neighborhood. I fail to see how it would not bring anything BUT good to the neighborhood.

Since I do not live in the area but two measly streets away, I guess that means I would still want to go all the way to Ortega to get my car washed, instead of a few streets North and have no say as to what I would like to see happen?

Peel me a grape please.

[Miss Fixit]

Braeburn, I surely do hope that you and all of your downtown neighbors are eating at Uptown, drinking at the Cellar at Three Layers, and washing your cars on Main Street in  the very near future.  We need your patronage!

[braeburn]

Of course! ...as far as eating and drinking in Springfield - the third one would most certainly be welcome!

Even though "other" people seem to think that downtown residents should not be able to chime in or offer their opinion. I mean really, who cares that someone spends their money in Springfield on local businesses, or volunteers their time helping to improve the community and the neighborhood?

Apparently all of that does not count if you do not LIVE there...

[ChriswUfGator]

I was not involved in any effort to stop the carwash until this most recent issue.  So I guess it's my fault that Mr. Jones failed to get his business up and running in over 16 years time? Nice try. If everyone else read the facts you would understand that the carwash was shut down for 17 years. Mr. Jones was granted an exception years ago, before the overlay went into effect but did not open the car wash within the designated time allowed. When he finally decided to open, his exception had expired, the overlay had been put in place, neighbors fought the proposed use, he got mad and sold the building. He recently decided to try and revisit the car wash use. He leased the building back from the present owner and applied for an exception. If an exception is needed for a business to open, neighbors have the right to express their opinion. No one should damn people who actually live in the neighborhood for having a different opinion than they do. I don't go into other's neighborhoods and tell them what they should or shouldn't except near their homes. I wonder if the non residents posting on the Springfield threads take this much interest in their own neighborhoods? In the end a final decision will be made but until then people have the right to voice opposition and go through the process.

So what?

The truth is that he did ultimately complete the renovations, did finish installing the new equipment, got his employees, hung his "grand-opening" banners out, and was all set to open for business when your little group of misbehaved misfits sandbagged him with a barrage of bogus CARE complaints, and have been fighting him tooth and nail ever since.

Your argument holds ZERO water, because the FACT of the matter is that the place would have long been open already, if it weren't for the actions of you and your group.

[Springfield Girl]

I did no such thing. I had no idea the business was opening and by the looks of it not many people would. Were you here at that time Chris? I was, the place looked like crap and still does. The pictures have been posted of the current state. Would you call that renovated?
Braeburn as we are friends I'm sorry you thought I was aiming this at you. My posts are directed at the failed investors and businessmen and those in the poverty business who like to post negative things about the neighborhood because of sour grapes. They try to keep Springfield down through their words and actions because of some perceived past slights or the preservation of their business model which doesn't mesh with revitalization. Sorry folks, reasonable people get that renovated historic properties, new homes, great neighbors new infrastructure, beautification and cleanliness and cool businesses make for a good neighborhood, not halfway/rooming houses, pawn shops and slumlords. The few posters I'm speaking about love to say that SPAR does not speak for the neighborhood while we are supposed to believe that the vocal 5 of them, all non residents, do.  No matter how badly a few try to keep the neighborhood down to benefit their business model or satisfy their revenge it ain't gonna happen. Drive around, the neighborhood is getting better day by day. Neglected, forclosed properties are being restored in record numbers. Great new residents who are passionate about the neighborhood are replacing those that were part of keeping the neighborhood blighted. The hundreds of great neighbors who don't post, let alone read this site are  happily enjoying the progress in Springfield and quite confident in the future. The train has left the station!

[zoo]

Braeburn, I surely do hope that you and all of your downtown neighbors are eating at Uptown, drinking at the Cellar at Three Layers, and washing your cars on Main Street in  the very near future.  We need your patronage!

Of course! ...as far as eating and drinking in Springfield - the third one would most certainly be welcome!

Braeburn, try Joe's Detailing on 5th & Main. That's who I take my cars to, and he always does an "above and beyond" job at a reasonable price.