Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council

 

Notes of the Springfield Revitalization Roundtable Meeting

 

March 17, 2010

 

Those in attendance were: James Richardson, Kenny Logsdon, Martin Kennelly, Don Robertson, Dale Hotaling, City of Jacksonville; Pastor Clinton Bush, City Kidz; Claude Moulton, Louise DeSpain, Brenda Boydston, Kristen Mock, Jennifer Holbrook, Rachel Cruz, Don Downing, Jeremy Hubsch, SPAR; Mike Alabad, Mike & Wafaa’s; JoAnn Tredennick, Michael Trautmann, Springfield Residents; Greg Corcoran, JEA; Paul Shockey, Uptown Market; Madeline Skinner, Carita Parks, Hester Group/Project New Ground; Sgt. Jackson Short, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office

 

Louise DeSpain opened the meeting at 10:35AM and introductions were made around the room.

 

I.                    Business Development

Paul Shockey, Uptown Market & Deli—Mr. Shockey said that after being open for almost a year, they still have some stabilization issues. After these have been resolved, they plan to put more money into advertising. The Springfield neighborhood has been very supportive, and has carried them through the critical first six months. Uptown is also drawing from Riverside and San Marco and even out from the beaches. Mr. Shockey also said they are happy to be a business member of SPAR.

9^th & Main former church—was sold recently to J. Medina

Condos—four have been sold; they need to sell three more to “get the bank out of the picture.” They are the only condos in Springfield or Riverside that are FHA approved.

Pastor Clinton Bush, City Kidz Ice Cream Café—City Kidz has just signed a letter of intent to take the space next to them. The space will be used as an events room. City Kidz plans to invest $100 K in the events room, after which they will beef up their advertising efforts. Teaching financial literacy, a large part of the City Kidz mission, is going very well.

Mike Alabad—Wafaa & Mike’s Café—With a second generation chef providing high quality Kosher and Halal food, Wafaa & Mike’s is approaching their restaurant goals. All their food is made fresh to order and is being recognized as the best Middle Eastern food in Jacksonville. Mike said the hummus is made from a secret recipe from Saudi Arabia.

Michael Trautmann, Trautmann & Co.—The environmental issues at 6^th & Pearl have now been resolved. The Trautmann Co. owns two of the corners at 6^th & Pearl and is trying to purchase a third which also has environmental issues. They are checking around the neighborhood to determine which sites are and are not polluted.

4^th & Main (formerly Fortec) The Fortec parent company pulled their franchises, so the former Fortec is starting a new company called Happy Trails 4x4.. They have signed a new lease at the same location, and the HPC has already approved the colors for new paint on the building.

 

II.                  Solid Waste—Dale Hotaling

The Springfield residents asked about the waste receptacles in the neighborhood that are not being emptied by the city. Mr. Hotaling said the city’s garbage pick up doesn’t empty them because the inner containers have been stolen out of them. The city is not committed to having the waste receptacles and they can be removed. The City will service them only if there are inner containers inside them that can be removed and dumped. Several types of theft resistant inner containers were mentioned, such as one having a cone shaped bottom and one that is attached by a cable. It was suggested that SPAR or SAMBA poll the neighborhood to determine if the waste receptacles are wanted and do research to determine which type works the best in an urban environment. The cans are quite expensive, so a funding source would also have to be found.

 

III.                Ash Clean Up—Carita Parks

Project New Ground has begun cleaning in the Brown’s Dump area (11 are completed) and the 5^th & Cleveland area. Emmett Reed Park will be next because cleaning where there are lots of children is a priority. Sampling in Springfield continues, and homeowners will be notified before clean up starts. Project New Ground still needs about 3,000 agreements signed. Each property that is part of the Project New Ground area has a tag on its property record. A note will be added to say that the property has been tested and contamination not found if the tests come back clean.

 

IV.                JEA Update—Greg Corcoran

The Phelps St. project is almost finished. Sod will be re-laid and the fencing at Confederate Park will be replaced very soon.

JoAnn Tredennick brought up the alley lighting issue, saying that the alleys need to be well lit. She asked Sgt. Short to give JEA input from the police force regarding alley safety. Public Works has directed JEA to stop replacing the alley lights. A discussion ensued about lighting both the alleys and the medians on Main St. The SPAR Alley Task force will meet with Public Works and continue their efforts to have the alleys lit. SPAR will follow up on the median lighting issue.

 

V.                  Urban Forester—Don Robertson

There will be some tree planting done in conjunction with the ash clean up. Otherwise, the tree fund is almost out of money. In response to a question from Ms DeSpain, Mr. Robertson said that SPAR should provide a list of trees that need to be replaced. Springfield residents may notify SPAR of any trees that have died since the city planted them last year. SPAR will compile the list and pass it on to Mr. Robertson.

 

VI.                Neighborhoods—Kenny Logsdon, James Richardson

Mr. Logsdon spoke briefly about the Weed and Seed Grant, saying that Assistant Chief Butler had been to Baltimore for training. Ms Tredennick asked about the possible influence of Weed and Seed on the alley lighting issue, and Mr. Logsdon will look into it.

James Richardson, 9^th & Main —The City is finalizing a “Request For Proposals” seeking potential owners. Their goal is to have it ready in April. Mr. Richardson will be talking with SPAR’s Commercial Corridor Coordinator, Don Downing, to contact potential owners.

NW Fund Board—is engaging in strategic discussion regarding their focus. They will work on primary commercial corridors including those in Springfield and will be working with SPAR’s Commercial Corridor Coordinator, Don Downing. The NW Fund Board has had inquires about funding and Main St. is getting some interest.

Mr. Richardson believes that the Cesery building at 3^rd & Main has been a catalyst for business development in the area.

Metro North--has been asked to help form a business association.

 

VII.              Crime Reduction—Sgt. J. Short

Sgt. Short reported that the 30-day (crime) trend has been down in all categories except burglary. The three groups that are doing the stealing are transients, young thug types, and guys in vehicles. The guys in vehicles are breaking in back doors and stealing electronics, and they are hard to follow. The police force is using a combination of overt and covert actions to combat the tefts. Now that the weather is getting warmer, they will be using more bicycle patrols. Sgt. Short asked Springfield residents to call early when your “Spidey senses” go off. Residents know who belongs and who doesn’t. If you see someone who looks suspicious, call the police. Don’t wait until a crime is in progress to call.

Prostitution—Vice put out a female officer and got seven guys.

Springfield Security Fund—Sgt. Short said there are more drug deals when the Security Fund is not active.

Copper Theft—Residents and business owners at the meeting want to put pressure on the recyclers. SPAR President Claude Moulton suggested taking the issue to our City Councilman, asking for regulation similar to the type that pawn shops have. One difficulty is that there are no serial numbers on copper so ownership can’t be proved. Mike Trautmann said that lighting and visible cameras at job sites have been helped a great deal.

 

VIII.            Historic Inspection & Compliance—Martin Kennelly

Mr. Kennelly said that things are improving. COAs are up over this time last year. There are five new houses and lots of renovations going on.

 

IX.               Announcements

Louise DeSpain—SPAR has been fielding complaints regarding abundant fowl in Confederate Park. The city will have the fowl humanely trapped and relocated. Louise also announced her retirement and introduced Brenda Boydston as the new Roundtable moderator.

Claude Moulton—SPAR’s president thanked everyone for coming. He spoke briefly about SPAR’s future saying that many young people are stepping up to the plate. Then he introduced Ms Boydston as the new SPAR Executive Director (subject to Board approval). He described her as enthusiastic, creative and smart, and said that she will be terrific.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 11:50AM.