Vacant Main Street + Art = Springfield Art Walk?

[peestandingup]

I came across an article tonight about an organization in New York City who puts on art shows in vacant storefronts that have been hit by the economic downturn. The spaces are donated by the landlords, mainly because it at least gets people into their property & interest may grow from there. Which hey, its better than sitting vacant & empty.

So I thought maybe Springfield could benefit from something like this. There sure are enough vacant storefronts along Main. Plus, it would draw interest to the area as well. I mean, if I owned one of these buildings, I'd loan it out for something like this. Even if the place didnt have electric, so what? Hang some battery powered lights. Or even better, some old timey carbide gas lamps.

[Dan B]

I think this is a great idea. I started a Springfield Brain Board thread over on myspringfield.org. Think about look at it, and adding some suggestions.

[TPC]

Downtown Vision helped get artists into vacant spaces downtown and it's been working great so far, especially with Artwalk. It would be nice if Springfield could do the same thing on a monthly basis, maybe towards the middle of the month since the beginning of the month has Artwalk, and First Fridays.

[fsu813]

this has been discussed before on this forum & myspringfield.org. i volunteered to look into it more (once i have a little free time) if noone else takes the lead....

are you volunteering? =)

[avs]

This is a great idea!  Thank you for proposing it!

[JaxByDefault]

If anyone is actively working on this, PM me and I'll put you in touch with my artist clients and contacts. When I proposed this a few years ago, FFCJ and sevel local artists were on board with the idea so long as things like nighttime lighting to illuminate the windows were in place.  

[peestandingup]

I think its the perfect time to get this going in Springfield. Spring is coming, Main Street is finished, it needs a "goose" to get interest back up, there's plenty of vacant storefronts, the other art showings in Jax have sparked a lot of interest & have been successful, etc. I think if its done right & consistent, it could be really wonderful.

Sure, I'll volunteer my time if you guys are serious about it. I'm not sure what I can bring to the table (I dont own anything in Springfield yet & am just a stay at home dad in my early 30s with an interest in art, urban living, etc), but I'm game.

I think its really important to play up to the historic charm of the neighborhood too. Being as old as the neighborhood is, thats something unique that can be used as an advantage.

[JaxByDefault]

Downtown Vision helped get artists into vacant spaces downtown and it's been working great so far, especially with Artwalk. It would be nice if Springfield could do the same thing on a monthly basis, maybe towards the middle of the month since the beginning of the month has Artwalk, and First Fridays.

Working on it  -- several of the owners participating in the DVI program also own peoperty here in SPR. While there is some willingness, there are some concerns about the SPR property stock not being in as good of shape as the downtown stock. All of the downtown spaces --while not perfect-- met code and had working electric and plumbing.

[fsu813]

this is why talking to Lavilla makes perfect sense.....

[zoo]

May also be useful to know that the Karpeles Museum participated in some early Artwalks, but was "too far off the beaten path" of the event to draw any significant traffic.

Maybe now that the event has kicked up quite a bit from its earlier days, and I understand there is a later night train from the event to a couple of our SPR's clubs (Pearl, Shanty, any others?), it may make sense to try to re-connect to Downtown's? Maybe an Artwalk Afterhours kind of idea -- when people are boozed up, they are more likely to spend freely, right? ;-)

[zoo]

How about complimentary Checkered Cab from/to DT from 11p-2a with fixed-end stops -- I'd suggest St. James side of Hemming Plaza and the wide-road area on NB Main at 1st?

http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2009/12/14/daily13.html

Even better if fares getting in cabs at 1st & Main to get back to their cars after Hemming drop off became paying fares for ride home if they've enjoyed the bars a bit too much...

It'd be nice if someday that connection was bridged in a walkable way on Main or Laura, but until then, maybe this could work to open some eyes to the area...

(and maybe Fusion could work out a deal to add on small fee per fare to their place -- didn't mean to leave them out!)

[Sportmotor]

a mainstreet artwalk would be really cool once it got going.

[Tom Joad]

It should be done at high noon between 7th and 8th on main st. on saturdays. along the same lines as friday at noon at hemming plaza and the riverside art walk. Were vendors can set up tables or what have you and display there art as well as local produce can be sold.

[Gonzo]

a mainstreet artwalk would be really cool once it got going.

How about complimentary Checkered Cab from/to DT from 11p-2a with fixed-end stops -- I'd suggest St. James side of Hemming Plaza and the wide-road area on NB Main at 1st?

http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2009/12/14/daily13.html

Even better if fares getting in cabs at 1st & Main to get back to their cars after Hemming drop off became paying fares for ride home if they've enjoyed the bars a bit too much...

It'd be nice if someday that connection was bridged in a walkable way on Main or Laura, but until then, maybe this could work to open some eyes to the area...

(and maybe Fusion could work out a deal to add on small fee per fare to their place -- didn't mean to leave them out!)

Why not use the Skyway? there is a stop in Hemming Plaza and another at just 2 blocks from Main Street? Might actually get some riders that way....

[Tom Joad]

I for one would be glad to throw my hat in the ring. Lets do this!