SPAR Council Communty Q & A handout from SPAR

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[The numbering is mine.]
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1.) What is SPAR doing to improve their relationships with existing business owners in the area?

SPAR features businesses constantly in the weekly update, and in the Newsletter.  SPAR belongs to the business association, and makes it a point to encourage business, and to participate and encourage others to do so.  A SPAR representative visits every new business that opens in the area, welcomes them, and encourages good stewardship of their business, and of the community.  Example:  the new Family Dollar Store on Main, and Walgreen's.  SPAR supports small business (David/The Ark) to the very largest (Shands).

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2.)  How is SPAR reaching out to new and existing businesses in the district?  I have noticed the new BP opened up but not heard much (this is a nice, clean gas store with no riff raff hanging out front we should try and encourage this stays that way).  I have also noted a new chiropractor on Pearl.  What is being done with the current businesses we now have?  Are there any grants or tax incentives to help them clean up their store fronts?  Is there any type of plan for businesses, clustering?  Themes for buildings such as bright colorful paints jobs as seen in other neighborhoods such as Five Points?

The gas station at 8th and Liberty was written up two different times in the weekly update, and SPAR personnel have encouraged residents to go in and try it out, just as they have with many other businesses in the neighborhood.

We meet with anyone who is considering opening a new business in the area and help them understand what opportunities may be available for leasing or for new buildings.  We plan to maintain contact with a number of businesses, brokers and developers and support their bringing new businesses to Springfield.

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3.) The LISC grant is a matching fund.  How much does SPAR currently need to raise, and by what deadline, to obtain the full grant from LISC?

The grant was for $50,000.  The LISC money was not granted until the $50,000 had already been matched.  That happened in June, and the money was raised through the efforts of volunteers through the Community Contribution Tax Credit Program.

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4.) It was stated somewhere that LISC moneys will match any donations provide for some sort of development, if so who will audit the transactions, is there an application process where a record will be kept for everyone to see who received or who was denied and why.

LISC will not match any other donations.  They have given the grant for the year, which is all they will give.  None of us know how much, or if they will continue to give a grant in the future.  If they do, they will also specify the use of the grant money.  SPAR has an annual audit which ensures sound financial practices, as does LISC and each CDC to which it offers support.

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5.) Will the neighborhood have input as to what and where that money will be utilized?

The neighborhood does have input as to where the money is used through the elected Board members.  Before LISC gave the money the past year, a strategic plan had to be approved by LISC and by the Board which stated specifically where the money would be spent.  LISC set the guidelines and the Board voted on them.

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6.) How exactly will the LISC grants be used?  Will any of the money go to existing business owners to fix or paint their properties?  Will any be used as start up grants for new businesses? Please explain how the LISC funds will be used to promote the opening of 10 new businesses as is stated in the goals for next year.

As with any grant, the grantor is very specific as to how grant monies may be used.  The LISC grant is specific to commercial corridor revitalization.  They designated the money to pay for the revitalization coordinator and for marketing and recruitment of retail for that purpose.  They also pay for the revitalization assistant through AmeriCorps.  No money is available for specific renovated projects. 

The LISC funding promotes new business through the above mentioned personnel whose job it is to bring new businesses to Springfield.  This does not mean that SPAR will open business, but will simply help to promote it, through specific activity.

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7.) What is being done with the current businesses we now have?

We expect to do more to support existing businesses in Springfield.  We currently support and participate in SAMBA and support their efforts to maintain healthy businesses in Springfield.

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8.) Are there any grants or tax incentives to help them clean up their store fronts?

There is a possibility of some facade fix up money if the business qualifies.  We have informed businesses about tax credits that are available for those businesses that donate goods at retail value to SPAR sponsored projects.

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9.) Is there any type of plan for business clustering?

We are developing a leasing and development strategy to encourage clustering of related businesses in targeted areas of Springfield.

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10.) Has SPAR received a map from the workshop with Larissa Ortiz?

Larrissa Ortiz, of LISC, is preparing a summary report of the focus groups and workshop that will be available soon.  We will hold a public open house on December 16, from 11 to 2 pm, which will have maps of Springfield and potential themes and business categories for commercial areas in Springfield.  Public comments are welcome as we develop a draft commercial leasing and and revitalization strategy.

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11.) Bus Rapid Transit is coming to Boulevard.  What is SPAR's position on this proposition by JTA?

SPAR has been in dialogue with JTA for the past two years concerning a variety of transit opportunities, such that residents and business owners. [typed as stated]

SPAR has not indicated its support on BRT on Boulevard, though it has not opposed it either.  To be included in the BRT system would make the Springfield area more multi-modal and less car reliant, and would serve not only residents, but employers in the area.  During JTA's route planning input sessions, there was no resident opposition to the proposal as it existed.  It is estimated that, at most, 4 BRT vehicles in each direction would use Boulevard in a one-hour time period, and no stop locations have been determined at this time.  SPAR remains in contact with JTA as system planning continues in the event any plans justify concern.

In fall '07, planning meetings with JTA's service dept., which included providing SPAR's various study results and input from major employers and developers, resulted in an April '08 FDOT grant application for a Downtown/Springfield trolley route.  The application was one of 5/6 out of 12 denied by FDOT, but JTA's service dept. is pursuing exchanging with an approved project, borrowing operational funding from another source, or re-submitting the request.  SPAR has offered any assistance to JTA and is awaiting further conversation with them re:  next steps.

The feasibility study that JTA had undertaken, hoping to ultimately replace the trolley route with a streetcar system is on hold until summer of '09 for funding reasons.

JTA is exploring internally the use of the S-Line, which is City owned right-of-way, as a pilot program for implementation of at-grade light rail in the city of Jacksonville.  This pilot program would be based on the O-train system constructed in Ottawa in 1988 at a cost of $24M (current cost estimates are $30-40M)

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12.) What is SPAR's position on public transit in Jacksonville?  Does SPAR currently endorse a transit plan (JTA'S BRT, the MetroJacksonville Commuter Rail Plan, etc.)?

See previous answer.

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13.) Has SPAR had a hand in saving any historic structures from demolition in the last 5 years?  If yes, where and how was it accomplished?

SPAR has been instrumental in saving many structures in the past five years.  Letters have been sent to negligent owners, and follow up has been constant to ensure that every house could be saved if the owner would do so.  SPAR has worked consistently with Property Safety to try to encourage, or to force compliance.  Unfortunately, if an owner chooses to let a property sit and deteriorate, there is nothing we can do.  SPAR does not have the authority to take over a property from an individual who has no concern for their own property or for the community in which it sits.

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14) What is SPAR's plan to save the remaining structures from demolition and neglect?

See above.  We will continue to work diligently.