SPAR's Main Street Property Enhancement Program

[ChriswUfGator]

Yeah, I got a shot of SPAR's Main Street Revitalization Program:

[CS Foltz]

ChriswUFGator............that was priceless big guy! Too bad it is too true also!

[Jth]

I'm surprised that some people who are 'involved in the nieghborhood' didn't know about this.

Just by attending various neighborhood meetings i've been aware of this for sometime (months).

Attending neighborhood meetings regularly is encouraged if you'd like to be kept in the loop i suppose.

That being said, this general information was announced on SPAR's website when it happened though Jth went into far more detail.

Thank you for reminding those who missed it or just forgot, Jth.

I suspect that some could have missed other news as well.

Anyword on when the first actual work will happen?

This is sure to make a big difference in some businesses.

The first work shouldn't happen for a little while. Probably not until late November/early December at the earliest. The business/property owners were mailed info on the program 2 to 3 weeks ago, so many are still in the early phases of figuring out what they want to do. The earliest we will start reviewing applications is November 13th, so they still have plenty of time to get their plans together. I think the results should really be seen in early 2010, but at this point we are still in the early stages of everything and we'll see how it evolves.

[CS Foltz]

Well I have a problem already............not all business's were informed of what was coming! If SPAR was so gungho about this and this is an area problem that effects all of  Springfield,particularly Main Street, how can you not make sure all are informed of an option such as this? Is this because SPAR feels this is only something that would pertain to just certain business's or store's? Whether or not a person is a member of SPAR should have no bearing on making your area presentable..........or making that part of the world viable and energetic! This seems somewhat narrow minded or closed thought to me...........but that's just my take!

[fsu813]

CS,

i guess you didn't read the thread before bashing.

typical.

your concern was addressed earlier in this thread

[Jth]

OK, so, thinking I missed something, I just went back and reviewed several months of the SPAR Council website's front page.  Nothing about this program, but there are large gaps in the "Spar Speaks" posted.  Then I went to my e-mail as they used to e-mail me the SPAR Speaks.  Nothing since July and nothing about this program. I also know that I either no longer get them or ... because I found part of one from August 7th that wasn't posted nor e-mailed to me nor mailed to me.  It is true that I rarely go to a meeting.  I went to a few, but as I am not welcome, though they did indeed take my membership fee, it wasn't worth while.  No matter why I go, it will be assumed for some other reason.  Past experience.

So, this all inclusive program, how is one supposed to find out about it?  I understand the mailing to business owners and that it is possible to have a few get missed, but I am talking about the general public and members of SPAR Council. Until now, I knew only because of a conversation with a business owner and because, after that, someone posted about it on another forum.  Someone missed the boat here...this should have been pasted across every forum in Jacksonville as this is a great positive.  It is widely known that SPAR Council is not very good about communicating with it's membership let alone the rest of Springfield. Even those who are avid supporters have complained about that.

Jth, I will e-mail you.  Thanks for the response.   I am looking forward to meeting with you about this.  In case no one else has told you yet, we are the Thrift Store on Main Street, 1728 Main Street. I will call the owner of the building and ask him and, also,this would be a good thing for the other experts to address- while it is one building, it is four store fronts so are all the same or all different best?

I just drove by your building today and now know where your business is. Did you have signage up a month ago? If so then I must have just missed it. I've been in discussion with your landlord Dr. Werman for about a week regarding the program. From what he's told me he plans on doing fairly extensive renovations. You might want to contact him about everything.

As for your comment about one having to find out about it. We wanted to get the initial information to the business owners prior to formally announcing anything to the public. They just got the information in the past couple weeks. Also there are still quite a few kinks to be ironed out, as I'm sure Ennis can attest to. So we wanted to have a clear idea of everything before we got the information out to the public. I had been planning on writing a formal piece on the program and having Ennis put it on the front page of MetroJax, but things have been hectic and I haven't gotten around to it. There will be a detailed write up on it in this months SPAR newsletter and I've just posted the information here. So nobody missed the boat, we just wanted to wait until everything was in place before formally announcing everything to the public.

As the facade improvements are being made and there is visible change to the Main Street Corridor, I and SPAR have every intention of getting the positive change to Springfield as much media attention as possible.

[untarded]

I've been in discussion with your landlord Dr. Werman for about a week regarding the program. From what he's told me he plans on doing fairly extensive renovations. You might want to contact him about everything.

I believe Barry Werman was also the owner (with Jim Brewer) of the building at 115 W 2nd St that stood vacant for so long and tried to get permission for demolition.  I would be suspect about any claims of extensive renovation.

[Jth]

I've been in discussion with your landlord Dr. Werman for about a week regarding the program. From what he's told me he plans on doing fairly extensive renovations. You might want to contact him about everything.

I believe Barry Werman was also the owner (with Jim Brewer) of the building at 115 W 2nd St that stood vacant for so long and tried to get permission for demolition.  I would be suspect about any claims of extensive renovation.

Thanks for the heads up, he will have to submit a detailed bid on everything he wants done. So we will be able to determine whether or not his plans are legit and worthwhile.

[jason_contentdg]

Yeah, I got a shot of SPAR's Main Street Revitalization Program:

Well obviously this is something we as a company, that heralds the re-use and potential of decaying buildings would certainly get behind.  Certainly we'd champion the demolition of buildings, just as we do with our Urban Facelift Project.

[jason_contentdg]

^He's working on getting the application complete for the program.  He's on track to make the changes.

[untarded]

There has been some mention of a similar program for low-income homeowners where they could apply to have their house painted etc.  Donations from local businesses would be made for the supplies and then neighbors would volunteer the labor.  It would be nice to see that get going too.

This sounds like a very good idea.  I think it would go a long way to make many of these residents feel more integrated into the neighborhood and be a great way to get many of them more involved in neighborhood events.

[zoo]

Yes, it is possible to use the tools SPAR has developed for a similar program for low-income homeowners. This is a resource issue, and I would guess SPAR would welcome help to develop, obtain donations for, and administer the program. Just call and offer!

[sheclown]

I just talked to Mr. Werman this afternoon.  He seems really excited about the project.  As far as his plans being "legit and worthwhile" I would assume they are as legit and worthwhile as the next guy.  I don't understand the bad vibe/heads up stuff.  He has been great to us.

[Jth]

I just talked to Mr. Werman this afternoon.  He seems really excited about the project.  As far as his plans being "legit and worthwhile" I would assume they are as legit and worthwhile as the next guy.  I don't understand the bad vibe/heads up stuff.  He has been great to us.

There was no implication by me that his plans are not legit and worthwhile. I was simply assuring the other poster that the review process will be fair and comprehensive. There is no bad vibe of any sort. As I mentioned in another post, I've been impressed with the ideas Dr. Werman has thrown out to me. I look forward to seeing what he's able to put together.

[sheclown]

I just talked to Mr. Werman this afternoon.  He seems really excited about the project.  As far as his plans being "legit and worthwhile" I would assume they are as legit and worthwhile as the next guy.  I don't understand the bad vibe/heads up stuff.  He has been great to us.

There was no implication by me that his plans are not legit and worthwhile. I was simply assuring the other poster that the review process will be fair and comprehensive. There is no bad vibe of any sort. As I mentioned in another post, I've been impressed with the ideas Dr. Werman has thrown out to me. I look forward to seeing what he's able to put together.

cool.  good stuff.