The Death of Springfield's Resurgence

[thelakelander]

All of these communities are historical in nature, though I personally think Springfield has experienced the majority of the change.

I agree, that Springfield has gone through a lot of change, but Sugar Hill has probably faced the most. First I-95 sliced it in half, then the expansion of the Shands complex took out most of the remaining area of what was once, Jacksonville's most upscale minority neighborhood during the Jim Crow era.  Today, short of a few remaining homes and churches, its all medical center, vacant lots, surface parking and an expressway.  What's left is now facing its latest test... JTA's proposed busway route from Downtown to Gateway Mall.

[second_pancake]

pancake:  The reason why homes are now cheaper per square foot in Springfield is precisely because the neighborhood is not as nice yet as Riverside/Avondale or San Marco.  If you wait till Main Street is fully redeveloped and all the bums are totally run out, then prices will be too high for you.  Now is the time to buy and get in on the ground floor of the rehabilitation of the neighborhood.  I hear this all the time re Riverside:  People complain about how expensive Riverside is but where were they 10 years ago when it was much shadier and cheaper?

Wouldn't be too expensive...would be what I paid for my home in Riverside, about $170 a sq ft.  Anyway, I'm not waiting for the bums to be TOTALLY run out, just mostly.  And for the buildings on Main to look better...and people to take the burglar bars off their windows. Btw, I don't think Riverside is expensive at all.  You can still get plenty more house for your money than you can in the suburbs. What will $300k buy you in Julington Creek?  A 1200 square foot townhome.

[Johnny]

I think that is the point. There are already many homes going for $300k+ in Springfield. Imagine when it is complete. In any other major city, homes of Springfield's caliber, located that closely to downtown, the prices are outrageous $600k-1MM+. Springfield is a bargain at $300k.

[walter]

what I found funny is that someone who lives in Jacksonville would say they had an "overwhelming sense of danger" about a neighborhood like Springfield.  The reason I say this humors me is that my hometown is Sarasota and my family says the very same thing about Jacksonville.  They come here and feel uneasy.  Its not manicured, there are people of different colors, there is some trash around... they hate it and can't for the life of them understand why I would live here. 

What is really funny is that I live in Springfield, with my family which includes small children and I've never felt unsafe.  I've got better neighbors here than I ever did in Sarasota and there's a heck of a lot more community here than there. 

So ironically, while you came to our neighborhood and left feeling the way you did, think about all the people who come to this city and feel the same?  is it justified?  Not really.

[michelle]

Thanks to everyone and their posts.  I am hoping to move to Springfield and it is great to hear how wonderful the community in Springfield is.  For me, community is the most important thing!  I need to know my neighbors and do lots of social events as I am a very social person.  I have kids so it is great to hear that there are kids in the neighborhood too.  Jacksonville is the biggest city I will have ever lived in, but I have always lived near the downtown in whatever city I have lived in, and issues mentioned about homeless and brown baggers does not bother me   I was a little concerned about the downturn in the economy hurting the revitalization of Springfield, but now that I hear about the passion people in Springfield have for their neighborhood, I am no longer worried:)

Michelle

[ProjectMaximus]

Welcome, Michelle. Hope you have a good move. Are you coming from faraway?

Thanks to everyone and their posts.  I am hoping to move to Springfield and it is great to hear how wonderful the community in Springfield is.  For me, community is the most important thing!  I need to know my neighbors and do lots of social events as I am a very social person.  I have kids so it is great to hear that there are kids in the neighborhood too.  Jacksonville is the biggest city I will have ever lived in, but I have always lived near the downtown in whatever city I have lived in, and issues mentioned about homeless and brown baggers does not bother me   I was a little concerned about the downturn in the economy hurting the revitalization of Springfield, but now that I hear about the passion people in Springfield have for their neighborhood, I am no longer worried:)

Michelle

[michelle]

Thanks!  I am moving from Illinois.  I can't wait to escape the cold   This forum is great and I am so glad I found it before I moved.  It is wonderful to hear from people actually living in a neighborhood you are considering...it puts a whole new perspective on things

Michelle

[RiversideGator]

Welcome to Jacksonville, Michelle.  For more information on Springfield, try the Springfield Preservation & Revitalization Council website and its forums.  That site is specific to Springfield and has some additional resources.  Here is the link:  http://sparcouncil.org/index.php

Good luck with your move!   

[michelle]

Thanks!  I really enjoyed the SPAR website.  Thank goodness for the day of the internet and so much available information!  This makes the move to Jacksonville so much easier and very exciting to be a part of such a great neighborhood

Michelle

[Lunican]

Here are several Metro Jacksonville articles on Springfield:

A Springfield Photo Tour
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/754/

Through the Night: Springfield Historic District
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/382/

Springfield: The Northbank's National Register Historic District
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/235/

Springfield Update
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/180/

[michelle]

Thank you for these links!  I have really enjoyed all of them.  I am just blown away at the passion and love residents of springfield have for their neighborhood.  I am very excited to join the neighborhood  

Michelle

[alta]

Michelle,

Springfield is a great place to live.  Lunican posted some awesome links about the neighorhood.  A new thread has been created about The Resurgence of Springfield.

[michelle]

Thanks, I will definitely read the new thread about the Resurgence of Springfield.  It is really great to get all this information before I move.  I have never researched a place we were moving to so thoroughly as I have springfield.  But, I have never lived in such a special neighborhood before either.
Michelle

[michelle]

Yeah, I do.  I am tired of the freezing northern winters   But, I like Jacksonville because it is a big city with neighborhoods intown that feel like a small town.  Also, I don't drive much and rely on bicycle commuting around town and Jacksonville seems very bikeable to me, at least compared to what I am coming from. At least I will never have to bike on icy, snowy roads there   Also, the cost of living seems very reasonable and my husband's job is very close to downtown (actually just 3 miles nw of Springfield) so we reduce our dependance on a car.  I know it is not perfect by any means, but it meets my most important criteria so I am happy.

Michelle

[thelakelander]

Where are you moving from?