Is Springfield maligned instead of celebrated?

[zoo]

Oops, forgot Stephen, and of course all the other Springfielders, Downtowners and Jacksonvillians... Merry Christmas.

[fsu813]

This was the orginal question:

"...but why can't Springfield get the committed support of regional residents, though leaders and civic representatives?!?!"

I think they are just waitng to see which way the wind blows, which is often the way it is in politics.

[sheclown]

Let it snow... let it snow... let it snow!

[strider]

This was the orginal question:

"...but why can't Springfield get the committed support of regional residents, though leaders and civic representatives?!?!"

I think they are just waitng to see which way the wind blows, which is often the way it is in politics.

No, Springfield has had this support.  Perhaps we need to ask why we lost it, if we did or perhaps, what are we asking for that they can not support.  Are some asking for the wrong things?  

Perhaps we all can find a way to work together rather than at odds this coming new year.

Oh, and Happy Holidays to all, even Zoo!

[Bativac]

"...but why can't Springfield get the committed support of regional residents, though leaders and civic representatives?!?!"

I wanted to chime in here and mention that longtime residents of Jacksonville of every stripe (different cultures, races, economic backgrounds) "know" Springfield to be a "bad area." My dad's grandparents lived there, and he saw the neighborhood deteriorate firsthand. I have a couple friends with friends or family that live in Springfield, one of whom told me (when I was looking for my first home recently) that he "wouldn't even let his dog live over there."

I guess you could split hairs over "historic Springfield" versus the larger area most of Jax considers "Springfield," but the fact is most people who grew up in Jax still see Springfield as a "bad area" and aren't going to give it any support. I think for the neighborhood to really catch on, the people there now are going to have to make it happen, and hope for an influx of either out-of-towners or open minded locals willing to take a risk. It will take a long time to change those perceptions. Most people you talk to don't know anything about any of the neighborhood groups over there - they simply equate the area with wandering drunks, crack houses, and stray dogs.

(For the record, I wasn't willing to take the risk when my fiancee strolled the area briefly and decided she didn't feel safe. She is from Italy and has lived here for about 9 years which I don't think makes her a "longtime resident.")

[Karl_Pilkington]

in my opinion most of the people who live in SPR really could care less what the longtime residents of Jacksontucky think of Springfield.  I'm pretty sure that I'm the only one at my country club that lives there.  Most of the people who buy homes in SPR aren't into keeping up with the Jones' that is for certain.

Oh I heard all the bad things too when I was looking for a home 10 years ago.  Its so "unsafe", crime is "rampant" "I wouldn't let my dog live there"  but my wife and I realized that most of the people telling us those things had never really been over there, so we found a cool house and have loved it.  We still wonder where all the "bad" stuff is and where all the rampant crime is and we still enjoy it after all these years.   I'm sure all the families with children in SPR are wondering where all this crime is too.  Buts its ok, I don't live in SPR to impress anyone, I like old homes and my neighbors are pretty cool.  Everyone has got their idea of what they want for a home and Springfield isn't it for some, just like cookie cutter tract housing isn't for those who would choose Springfield.  Its really just a preference, but the perception by Jacksontuckians about crime in Historic Springfield is kind of funny as their city has the highest crime rate of any city in the state, go figure.  Merry Christmas.

[Ocklawaha]

Outside of the fact that we all hate Springfield, I don't see where the problem is?

OCKLAWAHA

[redglittercoffin]

I've been looking casually at a couple of homes for sale.  My girlfriend and I decided to take an "after dark" drive through Springfield.  We parked on the street at 10:00, walked around for a few blocks, saw the houses we were looking at, and left.  Never harassed.  Never felt like we were threatened, etc.  Of course, I know better than to take advice from TU commenters about Springfield.  

Again though, it is a perception problem.  The reality is much different.  It's tough to break through the noise of generations maligning springfield as where the pushers and the hookers all live (every damned one of them).  

The same holds true with the urban core.  Never felt out of place or bothered by it -- of course, I have only lived here for five years and don't know any better.  Homeless people are just that -- people without homes.  

FWIW -- I now live in a gated condo community on the southside and would be happy to leave if I could just break even.

[Overstreet]

............. residents of Jacksontucky think of Springfield. ...........  Merry Christmas...........

Let's see you want us to feel good about Springfield. So to do that you call us names?

Merry Christmas to you just the same.

[Karl_Pilkington]

I already know what you think of SPR so I'm not one that is concerned about trying to make anyone feel a certain way and yes, its my pet name for your lovely city, have a sense of humor.. geesh.

[JaxNative68]

^ I'm glad to know that you already know what we think.  Can you also predict, or rather tell us from your vast knowledge and mind reading skills, when the economy is going to officially change?

[Karl_Pilkington]

^sorry concern for economic growth is not part of my repertoire, could care less about that too.

[JaxNative68]

[hooplady]

I don't need to have my neighborhood celebrated; not maligned would be nice, but I've given up defending why I live where I live.  I love my house, I love Springfield.  Last night I met a new neighbor and later came home to a huge group of carolers wandering the streets for the sheer joy of it.  I can't explain to others why that is more important to me than this nebulous quality of "safety" everyone keeps grasping for.

[JaxNative68]

it is a developers ploy to get everyone to move into their overpriced cookie cutter neighborhoods that lack the architectural character that Springfield has.  if you can't build it, knock it and hope people jump on your bandwagon so you can earn more money from building and selling crap houses.