What will happen to Springfield, SPAR if SRG goes under?

[peestandingup]

Wouldn't it be a twist of fate if after being totally defunded, that ugly ass SPAR building fell into disrepair & had to eventually be demoed. That would probably be the only demo over there that I'd be cool with.

Oh, it would be like the exploding swastika in Nuremberg after the war. KA-BLAM-O! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzEBp9EV2pg

[iloveionia]

In the meantime, Preservation SOS has taken over many of the community needs that SPAR was too busy to do when it was flush with cash, most notably historic preservation.

I love those words.  "Historic Preservation."  Love, love, love them.  Save the houses, right?  Walnut Court is owned by us, under our corporate arm "This Place Matters," and we have just begun (after receiving our COA, Whoot!!) our 90 day journey to mothball her. 

A nondescript, condemned, stand-alone carriage house on Ionia Street, recently procured, is getting the love she deserves under a corporation entitled "I Love Ionia."  Hmmmmmmm.

PSOS was thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiisssssssss close to taking ownership of a condemned home on E. 3rd Street, but the owner opted not to put it in the hands of preservationists. 

One by one, as best as we can, with the (honestly) zero funds we have, we shall save the houses.  I will say it is very difficult to get in touch with owners.  VERY difficult.  This week I am sending off 100+ personalized, handwritten letters to homeowners in Springfield who need to give their homes a new lease on life.  For the cost of a stamp, and a little bit of creativity and time, it can't hurt. 

[Timkin]

In the meantime, Preservation SOS has taken over many of the community needs that SPAR was too busy to do when it was flush with cash, most notably historic preservation.

I love those words.  "Historic Preservation."  Love, love, love them.  Save the houses, right?  Walnut Court is owned by us, under our corporate arm "This Place Matters," and we have just begun (after receiving our COA, Whoot!!) our 90 day journey to mothball her. 

A nondescript, condemned, stand-alone carriage house on Ionia Street, recently procured, is getting the love she deserves under a corporation entitled "I Love Ionia."  Hmmmmmmm.

PSOS was thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiisssssssss close to taking ownership of a condemned home on E. 3rd Street, but the owner opted not to put it in the hands of preservationists. 

One by one, as best as we can, with the (honestly) zero funds we have, we shall save the houses.  I will say it is very difficult to get in touch with owners.  VERY difficult.  This week I am sending off 100+ personalized, handwritten letters to homeowners in Springfield who need to give their homes a new lease on life.  For the cost of a stamp, and a little bit of creativity and time, it can't hurt. 

I truly admire you and your group's efforts, Iloveionia   

[tufsu1]

Wouldn't it be a twist of fate if after being totally defunded, that ugly ass SPAR building fell into disrepair & had to eventually be demoed. That would probably be the only demo over there that I'd be cool with.

considering many Springfielders recently volunteered their tme to pressure wash the building, that would be incredibly unfortunate!

[peestandingup]

Wouldn't it be a twist of fate if after being totally defunded, that ugly ass SPAR building fell into disrepair & had to eventually be demoed. That would probably be the only demo over there that I'd be cool with.

considering many Springfielders recently volunteered their tme to pressure wash the building, that would be incredibly unfortunate!

Ah, so it begins.

[sheclown]

There is a new spirit of cooperation in the neighborhood.  There is new blood, new ideas, and new willingness to work together from every group including SPAR. 

Springfield has been reborn.

Preservation SOS is only interested in saving the houses.  We'll leave the rest of the issues to other groups, including SPAR.

[movedsouth]

In my opinion, it is about focus. Springfield has many different groups doing excellent work in their areas of expertise. SPAR lost its way by trying to do everything and representing everybody. You can't in a diverse neighborhood like Springfield. I think SPAR got great things going with its Block Captains for example.

And while we are at it: Preservation SOS hasn't been "defunded", since it never really had any funding ;-) But we now made it simpler to donate. See the Paypal button at http://forum.preservationsos.org .

[tufsu1]

There is a new spirit of cooperation in the neighborhood.  There is new blood, new ideas, and new willingness to work together from every group including SPAR. 

Springfield has been reborn.

Preservation SOS is only interested in saving the houses.  We'll leave the rest of the issues to other groups, including SPAR.

Thank you!

[sheclown]

In the meantime, Preservation SOS has taken over many of the community needs that SPAR was too busy to do when it was flush with cash, most notably historic preservation.

I love those words.  "Historic Preservation."  Love, love, love them.  Save the houses, right?  Walnut Court is owned by us, under our corporate arm "This Place Matters," and we have just begun (after receiving our COA, Whoot!!) our 90 day journey to mothball her. 

A nondescript, condemned, stand-alone carriage house on Ionia Street, recently procured, is getting the love she deserves under a corporation entitled "I Love Ionia."  Hmmmmmmm.

PSOS was thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiisssssssss close to taking ownership of a condemned home on E. 3rd Street, but the owner opted not to put it in the hands of preservationists. 

One by one, as best as we can, with the (honestly) zero funds we have, we shall save the houses.  I will say it is very difficult to get in touch with owners.  VERY difficult.  This week I am sending off 100+ personalized, handwritten letters to homeowners in Springfield who need to give their homes a new lease on life.  For the cost of a stamp, and a little bit of creativity and time, it can't hurt. 

& this is how Nicole spends her Thanksgiving vacation:

[iloveionia]

I am revisiting this topic to merely mention that PSOS is still contacting owners of condemned houses in Springfield.  We are still receiving phone calls from folks who have hung onto the letters that were sent back in November/December.  This as near as 3 weeks ago.  It is an extreme struggle, even a battle, to get (honestly) good people to give up their homes or to do something productive with it.  But we have been successful.  We have convinced local condemned homeowners (2) to mothball their homes and the COAs are rolling through the HPC meetings slowly. (I hope we have also been inspirational to the folks who submitted their mothball COAs on their own.)  I listed 1 home on Silver Street from the condemned list for the owner.  $16k FYI.  I picked up a condemned property and just earned that mothball COA.  We discussed donations with owners of 12 other homes.  Yes.  12.    But, for whatever the reason (not us) it is a struggle.  BUT, we persist.  Another mailing will go out in a few weeks to compliment the previous mailing that I know folks have kept. 
The letters/notes are personal and kind and say clearly: "let us help you" and provides resources for love.
Save the houses.  That's it.

We will have a few mixer events this summer and will be sure to share those events with everyone.
We've got a bungalow on Dancy Terrace to mothball, we'd love help.
A duplex on Walnut Court we hope to place in the hands of an able owner.
And lots of love to share in the hood to help reduce blight.   

[iloveionia]

Wells Fargo recently (within the last year) gave SPAR $10,000. 

[JayBird]

SPAR Awarded Wells Fargo Grant
March 26, 2013

It is our pleasure to announce that the Wells Fargo First Coast Community Investment Committee has selected Springfield Preservation and Revitalization (SPAR) as a 2013 grant recipient. The support is in the amount of $10,000.00 and will help continue the community development work that SPAR has facilitated for over three decades.

In addition, we’re proud to have Wells Fargo as the title sponsor of our 35th Annual Spring Home & Garden Tour, on May 11th & 12th. The Tour will feature a variety of unique venues in the Springfield historic district, including gardens, labyrinth, churches, and signature homes.

In 2011, Wells Fargo demonstrated its commitment to the Springfield neighborhood by opening the Historic Springfield Community Learning Center inside the Main Street banking branch. This generous pledge of support continues the Wells Fargo commitment to invest in the Springfield community as a partner for positive change in our community.

They also sponsored a baseball game at Klutho this past holiday weekend.

[mbwright]

I hope only the good parts of  "community development work that SPAR has facilitated for over three decades" are being supported.

[KuroiKetsunoHana]

I hope only the good parts of  "community development work that SPAR has facilitated for over three decades" are being supported.

when you throw money at an organization, it's difficult to track or control how they spend it.  that said, SPAR seems to be a somewhat better beast these days.