Springfield Business Corridor

[strider]

Karl and Downtownparks?  This attitude is exactly why Main Street in Springfield is a ghost town.  You need to starting listening to Lake as he is exactly correct in what needs to be done.  Belittling any business that now exists in Historic Springfield is counter productive to what we all want.  Unfortunately, your attitude is pretty common among the SPAR Council crowd.  It indeed needs to change for Springfield to continue to build and be a success.

[thelakelander]

Are we just assuming the place is a lost cause because its associated with Petra and it sells 40's?  Does Hionides control the product mix or does the store owner have a say so in he operates his business?  There's money out there for improving these types of properties, both in terms of physical structure and product mix.  We just have to do a better job of tapping into the available resources.

[downtownparks]

Im just asking questions. I would love to see the guy do something. But I also want a realistic assessment of IF he will do something.

I have sat, and in fact, helped put together several meetings with people who own gas stations in Springfield asking to see what sort of help SPAR can give to get the desired result. Most recently, I helped bring Shands, SPAR, COJ, and First Coast Energy together to see what could be done to make Shell at 8th and Boulevard an asset to the community.

Im not sure how this is counter productive. Plus, I actually have spoken to the guy who runs it quite a bit, so please stop assuming you know my "attitude".

[downtownparks]

Are we just assuming the place is a lost cause because its associated with Petra and it sells 40's?  Does Hionides control the product mix or does the store owner have a say so in he operates his business?  There's money out there for improving these types of properties, both in terms of physical structure and product mix.  We just have to do a better job of tapping into the available resources.

I NEVER SAID IT WAS A LOST CAUSE!!! I was just asking questions. What I meant by "just like blue front and speedway" was I wonder if it will be a convenience store without a gas station. Thats all!

[downtownparks]

Speaking of counter productive.

[thelakelander]

I NEVER SAID IT WAS A LOST CAUSE!!! I was just asking questions. What I meant by "just like blue front and speedway" was I wonder if it will be a convenience store without a gas station. Thats all!

Understood.  Without help, it may end up as a convenience store (although this does not necessarily have to be a bad thing either).  However, they may be able to get money from various economic funds to help cover the cost of replacing tanks.  One of the things I'm starting to realize is that most don't know that there are resources available.  As we move forward, we all have to do a better job of utilizing resources like the Northwest Trust Fund, Enterprise Zone tax credits and even the city's historic preservation fund.

[downtownparks]

It may already of happened. The tank may be up to standards. I dont know. It was just a question.

When we met with First Coast Energy, we had the manager of the NW trust fund there to explain what sorts of help would be available to them. When we first met with First Coast Energy, they werent even sure if they were going to perform the tank replacement because of the cost. At that time, they speculated they might just sell it.

A few months ago, they did the tank replacement. In the most recent meeting the expressed an interest in doing improvements, but said most of thier money was wrapped up in tank replacement at other stations, and wouldn't be able to look seriously at it until 2010, but were very interested in the opportunity of using NW trust fund money.

[thelakelander]

That's good to hear.  Any improvements in that site would be a huge boost for the community.

[Karl_Pilkington]

Karl and Downtownparks?  This attitude is exactly why Main Street in Springfield is a ghost town. 

ok pollyanna, its all about the tude, got it.

You need to starting listening to Lake as he is exactly correct in what needs to be done. 

got my listening ears on...........sounds like crickets chirping, let me adjust my hearing aid sonny.

Belittling any business that now exists in Historic Springfield is counter productive to what we all want. 

any business??? sounds like a bit of a stretch, ok they're ALL AWESOME!  hows that, better? now off to get me another 40 and one of those moon pies.

Unfortunately, your attitude is pretty common among the SPAR Council crowd.  It indeed needs to change for Springfield to continue to build and be a success.

hey now wouldn't have the slightest idea what the SPAR Council Crowds tude is, but sounds like somebody's got an axe to grind....hmmm....yeah ok,  and who cares about success, surely not I.  The quietness of main street is very comforting and I always find great deals on "used" tools at the pawn shop up on Main, so change schmange it ain't gonna happen, not never!  but feel free to use me as an example of whats wrong with poor old Springfield, ok by me. I'm going to FOAD now.

[jtwestside]

I'm not trying to jump in the middle of this frey (especially as an outsider) but I did notice this from the "Development Assessment".

*Ongoing elimination of commercial businesses providing substantial (substandard?) services to local area residents -Quality food store ... etc.
*Ongoing development of new higher quality commercial services Three Layers coffee house, Premier Pharmacy ...

I really don't know what SPAR's approach is or has been but is this assessment just a purchased endorsement of that approach or is it seen by some here as a truly outside viewpoint?

[thelakelander]

Sounds like a new form of urban renewal.  Whatever it is, the first half of that statement is a crazy assesment as currently described.  Instead of taking the approach of elimination, in many cases its better to find a way to enhance what's already in place. 

For example, A-Z has decent sandwiches but the building is not appealing to many.  Isn't it easier to find out how to get a fresh coat of paint, new windows and better lighting installed as opposed to recruiting a similar style business to move into the neighborhood during bad economic conditions?

Btw, is there an overall uniform vision for Springfield?  It should be possible to accomodate the needs of all segments of the local population as long as the market is there.

[jbm32206]

To be honest, I don't believe there is...and I think this, in part, is what has caused some friction with spar. I agree, that there should be one, and that it should include all segments of the community, with input from all.

[zoo]

Lake, below is the only thing I've ever seen that resembled an agreed upon vision for Springfield:

"The Springfield neighborhood, whose history and diversity make it desirably
different, is the most convenient place in Jacksonville for work and play.
Its refreshed diversity and location north of the downtown core will help
define it as a day- and night-time shopping, sporting and socializing zone
where everyone finds something to enjoy."

This came from the 2006 focus groups, which included some participants from each of the following groups that gave enough of a hoot to participate when asked:

- SPAR membership (not boardmembers)
- Non-SPAR-member residents
- Springfield business owners

You'll notice that diversity, and including things everyone can enjoy, are a big part of this vision statement. But sorry, KP -- I personally hope those that are looking for "rose in tubes" are unable to find anything to enjoy in Springfield.

[jbm32206]

I totally agree....and I can live without those who want the rose in tubes!

[jbm32206]

This came from the 2006 focus groups, which included some participants from each of the following groups that gave enough of a hoot to participate when asked:

- SPAR membership (not boardmembers)
- Non-SPAR-member residents
- Springfield business owners

Was this through surveys mailed or how was it that the information was collected? And who made up these focus groups?