Neighbor to Neighbor Beautification Project: 8th Street Market

[iloveionia]

Yup.
We are at it again.
The owner of "8th Street Market" on the corner of 8th/Hubbard has agreed to allow us to paint and beautify his Market. 
Ready to help? 
Well bring it on.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
9 a.m.
What to bring?
Gloves, paint supplies, snacks to share, landscape clean up tools
post here or email with questions: preservationsos@yahoo.com

(I have a lovely poster and picture to upload but can not figure out for the life of me how to do it.)
If someone can transfer it over, xoxo.

http://www.myspringfield.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6498#p6498

[sheclown]

[sheclown]

I am so excited about this project.  

What a great way to help the commercial corridor in a real and tangible way.  We've waited on various business facade grants and promises for years and years.  

Let's just do it ourselves!

[sheclown]

[ChriswUfGator]

I just read that myspringfield.org thread. Wow. Those evil SPAR people just don't stop do they?

[Springfielder]

Some people just don't seem to accept that many of their neighbors are wanting to do nice things for others. Our idea is to help those, just because it's a kind and neighborly thing to do. There's of course, those who don't support out efforts if it happens to not be their idea, or coming from certain organizations. That's fine, they don't need to help, the negative attitude will not deter our acts of good will.

[Springfield Chicken]

If we had lived in Springfield longer I'd probably have more opinions about things.  I'd have seen things tried that did or didn't work and think that things would always go that way.  But as relative newcomers we are still in the mode that anything is possible.  We've already seen evidence of it.  So it doesn't matter if businesses have been offered opportunities in the past.  We'll just do it again, in a new way.  If it takes hold and there is an improvement for the area, then it won't matter what was said or done before.  All that matters is that we all believe in the possible and do everything we can to make our community better.  Count me in!

[sheclown]

All that matters is that we all believe in the possible ...

[ChriswUfGator]

If we had lived in Springfield longer I'd probably have more opinions about things.  I'd have seen things tried that did or didn't work and think that things would always go that way.  But as relative newcomers we are still in the mode that anything is possible.  We've already seen evidence of it.  So it doesn't matter if businesses have been offered opportunities in the past.  We'll just do it again, in a new way.  If it takes hold and there is an improvement for the area, then it won't matter what was said or done before.  All that matters is that we all believe in the possible and do everything we can to make our community better.  Count me in!

Well the "opportunity" the SPARbarians were referring to was this alleged "assistance" program SPAR set up that reminded you of a sale at a sleazy used car lot. They had compiled a list of contractors who would do spruce ups like signs, awnings, etc., but the business owners would only get that if they spent a certain amount of money on other things they were required to have done.

It seriously was comical. It's like, let me get this straight, the business owner has to spend $10k with this SPAR contractor doing a bunch of stuff SPAR should have paid for itself if it wanted done, and a lot of that money represents actual profit to the contractor, and then in the end you'll give me a $500 awning with some of my own $10k you just made off me?

I know this is going to be real shocking, given the nature of the program and all, but for some bizarre reason SPAR couldn't get the businesses to participate in the program. Can't imagine why. Like I said, seriously comical.

What Gloria and Co. are doing is actual neighborly assistance. I can't believe that guy on myspringfield.org had the gall to compare volunteer neighbors helping a local business to that alleged "assistance" program SPAR was trying to push. That's why the other posters on myspringfield were putting quotes around the word "assistance" when discussing SPAR's program.

[thelakelander]

I'm looking forward to seeing this makeover take place.  Isn't this the same business that was trying to open a fish market on 8th & Main last year?  Do they still have plans to open on Main or has that concept been completely abandoned now?

[localresident]

You guys can count me in...I just posted the pic/flyer to my fb page!!!

[iloveionia]

Thank you local!!!

[strider]

I'm looking forward to seeing this makeover take place.  Isn't this the same business that was trying to open a fish market on 8th & Main last year?  Do they still have plans to open on Main or has that concept been completely abandoned now?

The "rumor" I kept hearing was that code enforcement got involved.  It is an old building so things could have been made difficult.  There could be legitimate concerns, but that was the "hinder rather than help" mode from the community organizations at the time so perhaps now with the newer organizations getting the "help not hinder" idea, the owners can figure out how to open the place.

Working with them like this at their 8th street location will go a long way to encouraging them to do more in the community.

[Springfielder]

Let's not forget, this isn't a total make over like Ms Maggies...we're just doing some beautification work...but also keep in mind, any and all are welcome to participate. We're all about helping neighbors and this is the beautification committee of preservation sos.

[iloveionia]

A reminder about Saturday if you can come out and help.  Just going to focus on landscaping and clean-up.  Here are the needs:

6 one gallon pots of a hearty plant for the brick planter
4 five gallon pots (shrubs) for the side adjacent to the vacant lot, also hearty
4 one gallon pots of a hearty plant for the small CROW
6 bags of soil
4 bags of tree bark/mulch covering
Plastic trash bags for clean-up
Bring gloves and water to drink
Rakes, shovels, brooms

I estimate this to be $100 for materials.  Post here or email preservationsos@yahoo.com if you can donate.

If you can't come out to help, try and stop by to say hello to everyone, including the store owners.  Beautification, Preservation, Love, and Friendship, that's the point of the Neighbor to Neighbor Project.  Thanks for your support.