Is Springfield Ready for a Car Wash?

[Dan B]

Maybe the Gary of the south?

[fsu813]

Would some kind of approval / visual inspection of the project be required before the business opens, to ensure it matches the plans?

Who decides if the result "matches" the plans or not?

Would someone from the city be responsible for this, or would it be more subjective?

If an agreement is made with the condition that it fulfill the plans, these details need to be worked out before hand so no more drama occurs.

The less that's up for interpretation the better.

[nestliving]

maybe the car wash would be better accepted if it would collaberate with some of the other local businesses. I was thinking maybe oasis or something. Then perhaps SPAR would be more willing to take it more seriously since it's networking with a local non profit.

Just a thought--> http://noodlesandbeef.livejournal.com/322421.html

[thelakelander]

Unless Silas can transform himself into Bill Cesery (ain't happening) he's not going to get their approval.  Imo, he would be better off focusing on the actual zoning issue and rallying support from the side of the community that does not have a problem seeing a car wash operate on Main over a vacant lot.  It probably would not hurt to hire an attorney either.  After all, if its denied, he stands to lose his shirt.

[fsu813]

The car wash would be on W. 4th, not at all on Main Street.

It's not on the corner lot, as you know.

The Main & 4th corner lot could be developed into something different altogether, as they are seperate.

There are a few other successfull business owners in the neighborhood that had solid plans and history besides Cesery ya know, who certainly aren't muli-millionaires. Thus being a big shot developer is not a requirement.

[thelakelander]

The car wash would be on W. 4th, not at all on Main Street.

It's not on the corner lot, as you know.

Doesn't really matter since its in the commercial district and the property around it is zoned commercial.  Just about every commercial project that is going to use and existing building or go up on an infill site is going to access to the side streets between the alleys.  Especially, if Main is supposed to be a walkable commercial district.  You know, excessive curb cuts and walkability don't really mix.

The Main & 4th corner lot could be developed into something different altogether, as they are seperate.

Sure it can, its a different parcel and it will have vehicular access to 4th Street as well.  The other commercial property, west of the car wash but east of the alley, will also have direct access to 4th.  With that said, in your opinion, what is the best use for the car wash site, under the current zoning designation?  Do you think its time to revise the code and change the land use designations to exactly pin point what should be built or allowed within the district?

There are a few other successfull business owners in the neighborhood that had solid plans and history besides Cesery ya know, who certainly aren't muli-millionaires. Thus being a big shot developer is not a requirement.

Don't take my bad joke as an attempt to add something to my statement that isn't there.  I'm basically saying gaining their approval for a car wash will not be happening, whether its on 4th, Main, 8th or whatever.

[fsu813]

It being on W. 4th may not matter to you, but it does matter to others.

I wouldn't presume to know what the best use is.

I'm also not an expert in zoning. planning, or codes.

From an uninformed point of view, i'd rather not have a list of what's allowed. Having a list of what is not allowed, or only allowed with an exemption is preferable in my opinion.

Which is why this issue is up for review in ther first place, to seek an exemption.

[cline]

Detroit has a more vibrant downtown and they're getting light rail now.

And?  Detroit also has somthing like 70,000 abandoned homes and commercial properties.  And if you think we have bad leadership here, Detroit has to take the cake with Kilpatrick- luckily for them he is in jail now.

[CityLife]

Unless Silas can transform himself into Bill Cesery (ain't happening) he's not going to get their approval. 

The implication being?

[thelakelander]

It being on W. 4th may not matter to you, but it does matter to others.

It matters because its a commercially zoned property.  If others are worried about a commercially zoned property being used for a commercial use then shouldn't something be done to ensure that that the site is not used for commercial purposes. As illogical as it sounds (but this entire debate is), perhaps the community should take up a collection to pay for all commercial zoned properties to have direct access to Main so they won't add cars to side streets like 4th, if that's the community's desire? Perhaps the community should buy them all and rezone them residential, who knows?

All I know is long term blight is something no one wants but if a commercial property can't be used for a commercial use then its going to sit vacant, which does no one any good, regardless of your position on this particular project.  Anyway, you posted your reasons for being against so I was just trying to better understand your position because perhaps it includes a vision or idea that I'm not currently aware of. That's all.  However, if you have nothing else to add, that's fine too. No big deal.

[thelakelander]

Unless Silas can transform himself into Bill Cesery (ain't happening) he's not going to get their approval.  

The implication being?

Man you guys are pretty sensitive.  To help you out how about this.....No way in hell that SPAR will approve of a car wash opening in Springfield.  Is that good enough for you?  

With that said, back to the earlier point, he should seek to rally those that do then waste time appealing to those who's minds are set in stone.

[thelakelander]

Detroit has a more vibrant downtown and they're getting light rail now.

And?  Detroit also has somthing like 70,000 abandoned homes and commercial properties.  And if you think we have bad leadership here, Detroit has to take the cake with Kilpatrick- luckily for them he is in jail now.

Strip away our consolidation and take a look at our urban core and its progress or lack of progress since 1950.  It suffers from the same problems impacting our Rust Belt brethern.  They just don't have the benefit of consolidation to mask it as well as Jax does.  As for leadership, things aren't peaches and cream here either.

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2010-01-12/story/john_meserve_charged_with_felony_of_practicing_real_estate_without_a_lic

[cindi]

He should slap a "Shell" station sign on it, put a bunch of shim ho's out front, contract with some of the local recreational pharmacist, douse it with urine, scatter some steel reserve singles everywhere and BINGO, no one will bother him.

[thelakelander]

lol, or just open up a convenience store.  No exception needed, its already zoned for it.

[cindi]

Exactly, i'm guessing the shell doesn't make enough on gas sales to turn on the pumps. they have mastered the human trafficing trade. Singles and scratch offs - recouping that money the only option he's been given. It would serve Springfield right if he bent the neighbood over on this one.  I hear KY stock is taking off as I type.