1626 Ionia: It's Coming Down, maybe, maybe not.

[iloveionia]

No clue. What were basements used for in the south? This particular basement was used as an apt.

[Timkin]

My guess would be additional living space and/or a place to hang out incase of really bad weather.. Must have been a well-constructed basement if its in Florida ...because not much of Fl is that high above sea-level .

[sheclown]

It is uncommon in Springfield for homes to have any space below the first floor.  Basements?  What are those??

There are several homes in Springfield which have cellars, rough areas for storage.

I really don't know of another home in Springfield which has a basement apartment that was obviously built. long ago, as such. 

[Springfielder]

There's a home on Silver that has a basement...but you can only access it from the rear of the house, steps going down into it

[cindi]

There is a house on west 7th with a full basement

[strider]

I don't know what house on west 7th has a basement?  I do know one that has a partial basement (flooded) and a bomb shelter (also flooded).

This one on Ionia is very rare in that it doesn't seem to flood badly and it is finished as an apartment. This house should not be torn down!

[sheclown]

The basement knowledge is very cool!  When we get our survey up (eventually) we'll be able to put this info in it.

The house on the corner of 6th and Liberty (northeast) has a cellar. 

[Debbie Thompson]

So does 1644 Pearl, and one on W. 5th behind Hoyt Terrace. Also one at 8th and Liberty. There are probably others, but those are the ones I know about and have been in.

[uptowngirl]

There is a house on Laura between 1st and 2nd with a basement running the length of the house (and it is a BIG one)

[Timkin]

They are not so uncommon , it would appear with older homes... but I would imagine great care would have had to be taken to seal them to keep them from water leaking in..

I would also think that being below ground, they would be fairly easy to cool in Florida.

[uptowngirl]

they are cool, but a common thread with homes with basements (in SPR) is pump, another pump, and your buddy's pump!

[Timkin]

So whats the story with 1626 ? is it still slated for demo, or does it get a stay of execution?

[sheclown]

We don't have the answer Timkin.  We know it is slated for demo, but we don't have the pending date of the demolition.  It is of great concern to all of us.

We're hoping for a moratorium on all demolitions in Springfield until we can come up with an alternate plan for condemned properties.

[Timkin]

Fingers crossed... I hope a stay can come for all of the condemned structures.. not just the homes.  Its sad and ironic that the people who really want them to stay are the neighbors, the taxpayers , and the community in general.

[sheclown]

I think most everyone wants them to stay.  They just need a plan....