A LOLA yelled out to Joe "go ahead, lie some more!!"

[cindi]

This seems a bit disingenuous. The point is; people, by and large, are not wanting to move into Springfield due to the fact that much of the area is delapidated, percieved high crime area, and rampant homelessness/drug addicted prescence.

Whether real or percieved, low income housing is thought to inevitably increase much of what middle class earners of every race, culture and creed consider undesirable. ( citation not neccesary )

To deny this is folly which can only perpetuate the status quo. I sense more defensive reaction in this debate than thoughtful solution seeking.

now that is funny, because those are the some of the reasons that i have given for not wanting to ever live in Arlington again.
want to guess where the highest crime rate in alllll of jacksonville is?  it's not springfield. 

[buckethead]

I would venture a guess that most would agree with you in not wanting to live in Arlington.

The perception is what it is. Are you saying that I am mistaken with regard to the popular perception that Springfiled is delapidated and crime ridden?

Have most of the historic structures not been robbed of their architectual elements? Their Fixtures? Thier copper?

Are residents not forced to take extra precaution to protect thier air conditioners form copper looters? Can any person take a random drive through Springfield and feel completely secure in the fact that they and thier families would be perfeclty secure moving into the neighborhood?

My intent is not to insult the neighborhood or it's residents. I actually admire both. Defensive arguements will not advance what I see as being a common goal among Springfielders: Improving the community.

There will be differing opinions, but the debate here has really devolved into nothing more than namecalling.

[Debbie Thompson]

Buckethead, in response to your questions, and with no name calling, as it's clear you are operating on a badly outdated perception of our neighborhood.  Don't feel badly, though. Most Jacksonville residents are just as clueless about the reality.

Yes, you are mistaken in regard to the popular perception that Springfield is dilapidated and crime-ridden.  It was for a time...no question.  However, in the last 10 years or so, most of the homes have been renovated and crime, while not completely gone in Springfield or any other neighborhood in Jacksonville, is no longer the major problem is was.

No, most of the historic structures have not been robbed of their architectural elements, their fixtures, or their copper.  Come take a drive around and see the beautiful homes, or attend one of our homes tours.  SPAR has one coming up in May.

No, residents are not forced to take extra precautions for their air conditioners, although some have.  We had a copper thief targeting the neighborhood for awhile, so it wasn't a bad idea.  There's a scrap metal recycling facility near Springfield, so that made us convenient.

Yes, a person can take a random drive through Springfield and feel secure that they and their family would be secure in Springfield...at least as secure as anywhere else in town.  No place is perfect.  We do, in fact, have many families with children in Springfield.

[cindi]

i agree, there are A LOT of very narrow minded people that do think that.  those are the ones that most likely have not been to springfield in a very long time.  
as for the vacant delapidated - have you driven through some of the new abandoned subdivisions out in the burbs where some poor sap that got in on the ground floor of the "phase 1" is the only one living there with nothing but empty vandalized foreclosed homes with not a soul around should they need help?
i take the same precautions in springfield that i take ANYWHERE i go - to not do so is simply stupid and making yourself a target.  if memory serves me, not so very long ago there was a rash of violent B&E's in the southside - wouldn't move there either.
it's alright, feel free to insult the residents of springfield, we are used to it.  scanning most forums, springfield has the most active neighborhood in jacksonville and more people that DON'T live here take an unusual interest in all that goes on in our 1 square mile than any other neighborhood.  guess we are kinda like that big car crash - people just can't help but look.

[buckethead]

I do not disagree with this. I probably should refrain from posting in these threads, as I find myself in a debate in which I don't belong.

I would like to see Springfield restored to it's former architectural glory. That is where my interest in the debate ends.

[Debbie Thompson]

We're almost completely there, Buckethead.  Have you been over to see?

[buckethead]

I have driven through Springfield within the past 3 months. A haphazard, self guided tour of random streets.

It is a charming neighborhood. For every jewell there is a lump of coal. Some are clustered and some are mixed. I do wish I had bought a rehabber a few years back.

When I was in the market for a house, 2001, prices in Springfeild were already starting to elevate, and I saw Ponte Vedra as a better value.

My wife was opposed to living in Springfield. Avondale was a go, but Springfield was out of her consideration. Perception is a stronger opionion maker than fact.

[ChriswUfGator]

the vacant houses (there were hundreds and hundreds of them) are still being filled with people (of all types) who love them and whose work has created a safety net throughout the neighborhood.

Well, now to be fair, sure, many properties have been filled, but a huge pile have been improperly demolished.

Again, courtesy of Zoo and the self-annointed landslide of 39.

[ChriswUfGator]

Oops, I forgot that FSU's wife's joining, so make that "landslide of 40". Sorry for the mistake!

[fsu813]

"The perception is what it is. Are you saying that I am mistaken with regard to the popular perception that Springfiled is delapidated and crime ridden?"

- that perception is still extremely common, unfortunately.

Especially by Jacksonville natives, which is not helpful.

So no, you are not incorrect in saying that.

[fsu813]

And threads such as this:

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,4057.msg136119/topicseen.html#new

don't help.

[ChriswUfGator]

And threads such as this:

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,4057.msg136119/topicseen.html#new

don't help.

I'm sorry, but didn't one of your group's members launch a chair at the WC meeting? Not to mention the multiple drunken tirades that have been launched? I'm sorry if telling the truth 'doesn't help' but not entirely sure what I can do about that?

[hooplady]

I'm sorry, but didn't one of your group's members launch a chair at the WC meeting? Not to mention the multiple drunken tirades that have been launched? I'm sorry if telling the truth 'doesn't help' but not entirely sure what I can do about that?

I am not aware of any chair-launchings.  At which meeting did the alleged furniture projectile occur?

[Springfielder]

I was at that meeting, and didn't see any chair throwing...there were loud rants, but didn't see any furniture being tossed around

[strider]

Actually, the only "chair throwing" I have heard about was at a SPAR Council meeting or just after it rather that the WC. And it was sometime ago.  I think ChriswUFGator may have just heard about the incident and so mistook the time and place as the more recent hoopla at the WC.