Neighbor to Neighbor Beautification Project: 8th Street Market

[Debbie Thompson]

Bringing along old newspapers and some weed cloth wouldn't hurt.  Laying down several thicknesses of newspaper, then weed cloth, will keep the areas we plant and mulch weed free. 

[Springfielder]

We did one hell of a job, although it ended up not painting, instead we completely landscaped including a brick walkway.

before

after

before

after

finishing the walkway...which is brick, cemented in place



finished product


the kissing of the frog, for those who said it was a waste of time...oh, how wrong that was...the owner was delighted and the corner looks fantastic



we are Preservation SOS and we're making a positive difference

[sheclown]

I think about 20 folks showed up including Marc McCullough who is a resident and a candidate for city council.

[sheclown]

Thank you to Eva Ayers who so generously supplied the red mulch and most of the bricks for the pathway
and the regular SOS crew who always show up at these events including hooplady & Tony S.

Now, let's go in there and buy something!!  

[fieldafm]

Thats really cool!  Always thought that place was an eyesore.

[sheclown]

If we don't want it to be an eyesore, we'll need to be the ones to change it.  And it won't be fixed with one day's worth of work.  The store needs attention, both from a beautification aspect and from a business aspect.  In other words, the neighborhood needs to take "ownership" of it, use it, frequent it, get to know the owner.

Not making demands, but rather making connections to the store.

This is the only way to affect any significant change, IMHO.

[sheclown]

Bill Hoff spent some time weed whacking the enormous empty lot across the street.  Tony Sullivan and friends went in afterwards and bagged up the trash.



I wonder what could be done to beautify that area?  Maybe some "tire planters?"  How about a permanent net...."badminton in the bad lands?"

Sidewalk "chalk art" contests?  

I drove by 8th Street Market Sunday morning and saw Mark standing on the brick path.  I know Mark from the thrift store, he occasionally comes in to talk.  

He looked up and said "Miss Gloria, this is really beautiful" and the men standing around just shook their heads and said "it really is."

Anything we can do, helps bring light.

[CS Foltz]

I salute all involved sheclown! Very nice work and just a small amount (Yea......right!) of sweat equity! One corner at a time and one block at a time...........Kudos to SOS! This appears to be more service to the community, from SOS, than SPAR Council's speed dialing, lip service!

[sheclown]

Thanks CS.  

(But, just to let you know, Bill Hoff is a SPAR board member & he did help with the clean up & definitely has a heart for preservation).

It truly was an all inclusive neighborhood effort.

[Springfielder]

I also appreciate the kudos. We put a great deal of energy and hard work into this project, just as we do with all of them. Our goal (Preservation SOS) does not stop with our efforts to save the structures, but to help maintain and beautify our neighborhood. While most worked on the landscaping make over, others helped with cutting down weeds and picking up trash on the other 3 corners. It's also the combined efforts of others that help make this the best neighborhood in Jax.

[urbanlibertarian]

You people are just vigilantes spreading chaos and anarchy throughout Springfield!

[nvrenuf]

You people are just vigilantes spreading chaos and anarchy throughout Springfield!

Finally a label I can live with!

[KuroiKetsunoHana]

i'm sorry i missed this one, especially since i stop by that store fairly often--i just had too much goïng on this weekend.

[Springfield Chicken]

I like that name idea in case we ever form yet another group.  We could be SCATS - Spreading Chaos & Anarchy Throughout Springfield!  It has a nice ring to it!   

[iloveionia]

Ohhhhhhh.
not a pleasant acronym. 
but like all the words!
rebels for the cause!