Is Springfield Regressing??

[ChriswUfGator]

Ha!  I'm definitely being polite Gator, thank you.  It IS important now with SOS.  I'm a gal who speaks my mind freely, and still will, but for the sake of saving our houses I do practice being subdued and hope I am relatively successful.

Again.  Good things are coming from Springfield (as Miss Fixit posted,) regardless of past acts.  We do need an active commercial corridor on Main Street in Springfield.  Let's move on and go discuss that, okay?  

Fair enough, and I'll let it drop.

I really never wanted to take it here to begin with, but with some of the stuff coming from one particular poster I had very little choice. I know Stephen was kind of taken aback by it too. Once someone publicly has a change of heart and flip-flops on their position that they've defended for years by questioning the truthfulness of everything you say, only to later do a 180-degree u-turn and adopt what you've been saying all along, then it tends to be quite flabbergasting when they turn around and start calling you a liar or innuendoist all over again. I guess some people just like learning the hard way. How many times do you have to be right before you're right?

Regarding Preservation S.O.S., I think you guys are doing great work and you are a true (and desperately needed) refreshing focus on preservating the history and architecture of neighborhood. I love that the beautiful home on Ionia was saved, and appreciate the heartwarming projects you've done to help at-risk occupied structures. Your efforts are truly beautiful and your work is something that we can all agree on and support.

[iloveionia]

Regarding Preservation S.O.S., I think you guys are doing great work and you are a true (and desperately needed) refreshing focus on preservating the history and architecture of neighborhood. I love that the beautiful home on Ionia was saved, and appreciate the heartwarming projects you've done to help at-risk occupied structures. Your efforts are truly beautiful and your work is something that we can all agree on and support.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. 
And thank you for your support of our efforts. 
I am excited for the city's directional change for mothballing, in the meantime, let's get out there and save Main Street Springfield.   Heading over to post on the thread now. . . . . . .

[Demosthenes]

Preservation SOS did hear from SPAR Council that the artwork on the house was not liked by an unknown person or persons.  That is perhaps why they are getting blamed.  Does not really matter in the big scheme of things.

SPAR Council has had years to make progress and regardless of why, very little has been made.  You never see their staff, who are charged with the development of the commercial corridor, out and about the street, going to the businesses they are charged to help and support. One would think that getting out there and seeing for yourself what is going on, hearing from the various business owners, yes, including the pawn shop, what they feel is needed would be the best use of their time and LISC's money.

SAMBA needs a direction, in my opinion.  They have been sort of searching for their place in the scheme of things for several years.  With the newer talent on board and a push from the community, perhaps they can take the lead in the commercial corridor development.  Brent Staton, who has been a leader primarily for Metro North but also Springfield, would be a great resource.  Perhaps a sort of partnership with Metro North for something to get things kicked off?

I see Brenda Boydston all the time. Who else is "On staff"?

[letters and numbers]

When some of us said that SPAR Council was supporting the appeal of the car wash, we got told no way.  We got told it was a vicious rumor. Odd thing though, a few months later the official minutes of the Board meeting came out and low and behold, SPAR Council did indeed vote to support the appeal of the car wash. Things are often just what they seem to be.

Now can we move on to bigger and better things?

Id like to see the minutes where they supported the appeal could you post them?
Hey i read thru they overlay one timev and the whole vision paper and i think i remember something in there about not recommending auto businesses is that right or did I mess up?

[Livein32206]

I see Brenda Boydston all the time. Who else is "On staff"?

Go to their website, it should be listed there.

[Livein32206]

When some of us said that SPAR Council was supporting the appeal of the car wash, we got told no way.  We got told it was a vicious rumor. Odd thing though, a few months later the official minutes of the Board meeting came out and low and behold, SPAR Council did indeed vote to support the appeal of the car wash. Things are often just what they seem to be.

Now can we move on to bigger and better things?

Id like to see the minutes where they supported the appeal could you post them?
Hey i read thru they overlay one timev and the whole vision paper and i think i remember something in there about not recommending auto businesses is that right or did I mess up?

It seems like that no matter what anyone says that is remotely negative, you automatically disagree and call them crazy. So why should anyone bother to help you with doing what you can do on your own...if you want to see notes, go into their office and ask to read through all of them. I would've suggested that you take the time to read through all of the spar related threads here as well as the ones on myspringfield.org; but then again, it seems if it's not coming directly from spar, it must be those crazy people with histories, so it's not to be believed.

[strider]

The minutes for some but not all of the board meetings are available at SPAR Council.org.  Check in Archives.

The discussion on the car wash, the so called "Position Paper"  from Claude Moulton which was more his rather than from SPAR Council, and much more is available on this very forum.

Basically though, for a time, SPAR Council leaders had a tendency to put out bad information and try to use interpretations of the laws and codes to suit their personal wants and desires rather than what they were really about.  I know all too well as my name was often attached to that bad information.

What I have learned in the past few years is that those that end up calling Historic Springfield home are often passionate people who are not afraid to speak their minds.  They are also busy people who have, like most of us, a lot on their plates.  They turned to SPAR Council as a source of information and guidance.  When they find out that what SPAR Council was telling them was not what is really true, they are also not afraid to admit they were mislead and then make their minds up based on the real facts.

For that, I find all of them great people, deserving of respect and support.

Even SPAR Council as an organization seems to be trying to get real again.  As this thread shows, they have a long history of things to put behind them though.  It will take a lot of hard work and time for the new blood coming into the organization to overcome that.

Meanwhile, most of us have embraced the newer organizations that can and will lead Springfield forward from here. Progress is being made in important areas and 2011 should prove to be fun and exciting times for all of us.

[ChriswUfGator]

When some of us said that SPAR Council was supporting the appeal of the car wash, we got told no way.  We got told it was a vicious rumor. Odd thing though, a few months later the official minutes of the Board meeting came out and low and behold, SPAR Council did indeed vote to support the appeal of the car wash. Things are often just what they seem to be.

Now can we move on to bigger and better things?

Id like to see the minutes where they supported the appeal could you post them?

Since you've demonstrated conclusively that no matter which horse's mouth (e.g., us actual business owners or former business owners that SPAR boycotted or put through hell) tells you what happened, you're just going to go through mental backflips to find asinine excuses for their bad behavior before charachter-assassinating the victims, I can't imagine why you expect anyone to do your homework for you? So you can insinuate we're lying or we're "crazy" again?

The SPAR meeting minutes are available from SPAR. Since you're such good friends, why don't you ask them?

[Bativac]

People (like me) who visit Springfield occasionally and who considered purchasing homes there but who otherwise acquire much of their information about the area from the internet have this impression of Springfield as an area full of warring organizations intent on carrying out their own ideas for improving the neighborhood. Are there people in the area who are unaffiliated with any organizations, just doing their own thing? Is that allowed in Springfield?

Can you just move in, buy a house, and restore it, without having to deal with any of the local councils or groups or whatever? The impression I get (and I don't know if I'm alone in this or not) is that you cannot move into the area without having to "pick sides" and "work with" a group (which too often means "do what we tell you"). This kind of internet back-and-forth kind of reinforces this idea.

[Miss Fixit]

People (like me) who visit Springfield occasionally and who considered purchasing homes there but who otherwise acquire much of their information about the area from the internet have this impression of Springfield as an area full of warring organizations intent on carrying out their own ideas for improving the neighborhood. Are there people in the area who are unaffiliated with any organizations, just doing their own thing? Is that allowed in Springfield?

Can you just move in, buy a house, and restore it, without having to deal with any of the local councils or groups or whatever? The impression I get (and I don't know if I'm alone in this or not) is that you cannot move into the area without having to "pick sides" and "work with" a group (which too often means "do what we tell you"). This kind of internet back-and-forth kind of reinforces this idea.

You can absolutely live in Springfield without involving yourself in neighborhood groups and/or politics and I know many people who do just that.  Most of those people stay off of forums like this, too.
If you are restoring an historic home, you'll eventually work with Jacksonville's planning department and possibly the Historic Preservation Commission, but there are no true homeowners' associations in Springfield with mandatory membership.

I agree, the arguing on this site gives a distorted and negative view of Springfield - which is why I've tried to encourage more forward looking, problem solving threads.  I've lived in Ortega, Avondale, Riverside, San Marco and at the beaches, and Springfield is the best neighborhood (with the friendliest, most helpful and loving neighbors) I've found. Really!!

[letters and numbers]

People (like me) who visit Springfield occasionally and who considered purchasing homes there but who otherwise acquire much of their information about the area from the internet have this impression of Springfield as an area full of warring organizations intent on carrying out their own ideas for improving the neighborhood. Are there people in the area who are unaffiliated with any organizations, just doing their own thing? Is that allowed in Springfield?

Can you just move in, buy a house, and restore it, without having to deal with any of the local councils or groups or whatever? The impression I get (and I don't know if I'm alone in this or not) is that you cannot move into the area without having to "pick sides" and "work with" a group (which too often means "do what we tell you"). This kind of internet back-and-forth kind of reinforces this idea.

You can absolutely live in Springfield without involving yourself in neighborhood groups and/or politics and I know many people who do just that.  Most of those people stay off of forums like this, too.
If you are restoring an historic home, you'll eventually work with Jacksonville's planning department and possibly the Historic Preservation Commission, but there are no true homeowners' associations in Springfield with mandatory membership.

I agree, the arguing on this site gives a distorted and negative view of Springfield - which is why I've tried to encourage more forward looking, problem solving threads.  I've lived in Ortega, Avondale, Riverside, San Marco and at the beaches, and Springfield is the best neighborhood (with the friendliest, most helpful and loving neighbors) I've found. Really!!

You know this is funny because I get the impression that the area needs more people to get involved not less! Hey but when I brought up all this stuff on metrojacksonville they said it wasnt worth there time and they were too busy with projects and stuff to "get involved in back and forth" on here. but hey I think thats good because they seem focused on future things not she said he said stuff. Ive been on a board before and its hard!

[Springfield Chicken]

There are a lot of Springfield residents who never go on these forums and many don't know they exist.  So what you read here is only a tiny piece of the Springfield pie.  Even though I don't like the sniping that sometimes goes on, I still keep up with the postings.  I chalk up the back and forth to the fact that people care enough to be passionate about what they believe in.  I'm coming up on our first full year as Springfield residents and I concur that these are the friendliest people I've ever met.  I was a part of the caroling we did before Christmas and there were people who came outside to hear the singing that I've never even seen at a Springfield event before.  They just do their thing and enjoy their home here.  So you can be whatever you want to be here. Don't let a little verbal sparring keep you from the best neighborhood in town.

[uptowngirl]

You all said it! No matter what your beliefs or what if any group/organization you are involved or not involved in, everyone in Springfield (even when passionately arguing a point to death!) truly believes in the neighborhood, and has a strong passion to see it succeed! I have found I do not agree with every point any organization makes, I am also extremely busy and between my job and being a single mom do not have as much time and patience as one would need to work within an organized group. So I help out where and when I can on topics/events I also feel passionate about. I would absolutely agree that the majority of residents most likely feel the same way. The neighborhood is so diverse and this is reflected in the organizations in the one square mile- everyone has their favorites :-)

I like what the following DO for the neighborhood:
Springfield Wine Club
Springfield Brew Crew
SACARC (Springfield Animal Care and Rescue Club)
SMG (Springfield Mommies Group)
SOS
Sustainable Springfield
Springfield Garden Club
Springfield Block Captains
Springfield Neighborhood Watch
Springfield Alley Task Force (although I am not sure what all this group is doing/has done but the concept is fantastic!)
SAMBA


Then there are the "nonofficial, official groups" like First Friday, Thanksgiving Wandering Cocktail Party, New Years Eve Wandering Cocktail Party, and Christmas Carrolling (which hopefully for 2011 can do a westside and eastside carroll by carrolling eachother !!!) and the  Gorilla gardeners. A couple of newer one's I am excited about, but have not been able to participate in yet are the Disc Golf and they Springfield Tennis Club.

There is something for everyone here, and you can participate in all, or none. One thing all Springfielders have in common, not enough time to do it all!

[Livein32206]

+1000

Amen sister!

[letters and numbers]

Well, I'm with a lot of other posters here who think the thing that will TRULY set Springfield apart & be attractive is to get her Streetcar back (a REAL one, not those fake bus ones). Why in God's name they didn't do it when they recently tore up Main Street & didn't put the line in where the median went I'll never know.

To me, Main is even more of a deterrent for walkability than it was before. The 2 lanes each way & that median separating them give it more of a "highway feel" instead of a pleasant "main street feel" that one would want to take a stroll down.

Ugh, can the city throw us a bone every once in a while??  

I really don't mean to jump on this bandwagon again, but you can thank SPAR for the current design of Main street. They pushed for those awful medians that force you to drive 4 blocks out of your way and then cut a dangerous u turn across two lanes of oncoming traffic to get to any destination. They removed all the bus stops, etc. SPAR's intent was to get rid of undesirables, which is how they viewed pedestrians.

The flaw in their plan is that, when you manage to make a street hostile to people on foot who ride the bus, then its also hostile to everyone else too! There is no way to ONLY inconvenience low income people when it comes to street design, we are all human and it serves as just as much of a barrier to the rest of us as to the targeted group. SPAR's actions regarding the street design are also a large part of why Main street is now almost completely vacant until after the MLK expressway. As soon as you cross under that bridge (out of SPAR's reach) you'll immediately notice it is again filled with businesses and activity.

"JTAâ€"Suraya Teeple
Ms Teeple said the Bus Rapid Transit (Rapid = limited stops) North corridor line will be moved from Boulevard to Jefferson Street. Residents can attend a presentation at the Gateway Mall on February 15th from 4:30 â€" 7:00pm. A stop is planned for FSCJ, the VA clinic and Gateway Mall. It has not yet been determined if it will stop at the pool. The bus, and other, can hold a green traffic light on green until it passes the light.
SPAR has been working with JTA on a proposal to put new trash receptacles every two blocks at each bus stop. JTA will take the responsibility to provide and maintain them and to empty them 2 times per week.
Brenda Boydston stated that SPAR has not asked to have any bus stops removed along Main Street. She also checked with JTA and found that there has been no change in the bus route for at least 5 years and was told no bus stops have been removed from Main Street. There was some comment made that maybe a change occurred temporarily during Main Street construction on Phase II (4th - 12th), and Brenda restated that according to JTA, the position of stops at even streets was the established route with public input prior to Main Street construction.
Brenda followed up on route for the Community Shuttle. There had been some discussion about a stop at 3rd and Main, but JTA does not currently plan a scheduled stop there. For an additional $1 fee, individuals can call ahead for a special pickup there or any location along the route. A regular stop would be added at 3rd & Main if there is enough demand."

You know you said the bus stops were removed by spar or something but they werent! i read the RoundTable notes up above. so whats up with that?