Summary Notes
SPRINGFIELD REVITALIZATION ROUNDTABLE
10:30 A.M. – Wednesday, February 18, 2009
1231 N. Main Street (Office of SPAR Council)
Those in attendance were: Louise DeSpain, SPAR; Don Downing, SPAR; Jocelyn Winslow, SPAR; Lara Tanier, Hipps Group Inc.; Mike Bruno, JSO; Van Dyke Walker, JTA; Gene Montgomery, LISC; Sam Okcular, HDR/RSH; Chris Blank, JB Coxwell; Tim Clay, JB Coxwell; Daryl Joseph, COJ Parks; Don Robertson, COJ/Urban Forester; Kenny Logsdon, COJ/ Housing and Neighborhoods; Devron Cody, Code and Compliance; Kharis Quaintance, SPAR Board Member; Shawn McGuire, Dwellings.
I. Springfield Business/Development – Don Downing
The following update is included as information for Roundtable participants:
l SPAR is preparing a series of business fliers, Restaurants, Health and Wellness, etc., to promote use of existing Springfield businesses. Sponsorship of this activity is shared with SAMBA, Springfield Area Merchants and Business Association.
l SPAR has established a cooperative relationship with UNF Small Business Development Center (SBDC, with Kevin Monahan and other staff) to provide counseling for existing and new businesses on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. Other SBDC activities in support of the SPAR Commercial Revitalization program are possible.
II. Main Street Streetscape —Tim Clay of JB Coxwell; also Chris Blank and Sam Okcular
l The west side work should be done by early March. Work will then shift to the east side, with a finish target of mid June (about a 109 day project). We can expect some temporary closures. We will endeavor to maintain pedestrian and parking access. Some power cut off will occur with notification as needed.
l Buses have stopped on the street, with no pull off. If closing is required, we will provide notice ahead so JTA can re-route. Special notice is provided for hospital and fire station.
l The project has included extensive electrical work; JEA change from overhead to underground wiring (now complete). Some distribution work remains at 8th and Main St., so the intersection will be closed again, with about one month lead notice.
l The 4th Phase is to build the median, including plantings. The approved trees will be used; there is no plan to change to palm trees. The anticipated completion of the Main Street Streetscape project is October 13th 2009.
l Pedestrian crossings will be added at 3rd (as a rebuild of 1st phase of project), 7th and 9th St., to be designed as cut through the median with enough space for A.D.A certified/strollers.
l There are no plans to add bike lanes; options are available along Hubbard and Laura.
l A 10 ft wide multi-use\bike path is planned along Hogan’s Creek from Market St. to 8th St., with no lights at this time. Additional funding is needed for lighting, trees and other enhancements. Federal and State regulations limit use of space in the roadway; decided and approved at design stage. The bikeway cost is about $1 million. Bids will be invited in 2-4 weeks. A one block section from Main to Laura will be built by COJ water project or JEA will build it, and be reimbursed in the future. Other future improvements include lights, signs, and other amenities. The Hipps Group is doing a Park Master Plan to sequence action, dollar amounts, and timing. The Hogan Path will ultimately connect to the S line and Kings Rd. area Urban Trail.
III. Infrastructure Improvements--- [Jenny Huxford, not present]
IV. JTA— Van Dyke Walker
On March 9th, a Town Meeting is scheduled at Gateway to discuss transit in the Northern Corridor. In May, the next route structure change will be presented. At the March Roundtable, Mr. Walker will bring information on proposed changes.
V. JEA Update—Greg Corcoran
l On 2/2/09 JEA cleaned the substation graffiti. Call 665-6000 to report other graffiti. To get shoes off wires, call JEA, give location and pole number.
l Louise asked Greg about the brick reconstruction along W. 4th Street. COJ Public Works says replacement of bricks is not possible [several meetings were held to discuss the problems]. JEA is doing some additional research and will get back with us.
VI. Trees—Don Robertson discussed plans to plant new trees.
l Late Spring- will start plantings on the east side of Springfield
l Will also plant trees along the S Line; to be like the Durkeeville\ “Econit Reed” look. CEPTED concerns were raised by Officer Bruno and others. Daryl Joseph is CEPTED certified and will review proposed plantings. Shrubs that block views will not be planted [avoids creating places were predators can hide], except possibly in two areas that need visual screening.
l East Jacksonville will also receive new trees.
l Announced: Saturday 2/28, 7 a.m., Tree Sale @ Emerson and Phillips Hwy. $10 each/ 3 gallon size.
VII. Neighborhoods—Kenny Logsdon,
SPAR applied for Neighborhood Stabilization Program. There were 150 other applicants, with $26.8 million available.
VIII. Crime Reduction— Lt. Michael Bruno
The last robbery was 1 month back along the S-line trail. JSO uses a day time mounted unit and bikes in the evening. He has direct contact with adjacent apartment managers at Roosevelt Gardens. 4 -10 p.m.is the highest potential crime activity, although the crime level is not high there.
l Our recent crime stats show Zone 1 is the safest 11 %, with a decrease for '07-'08 in violent crime. Violent- none in '09; property- crimes low; opportunity, unlocked doors
l Our primary concerns include: 7th, 8th at Perry- prostitutes; 8th West and East- open containers, loitering, drugs; and, 3rd and Main – store loitering.
l Kharis Quaintance raised concern about Liberty St. at the Hogan's Creek bridge- open drug dealing, cars on bridge (OK- since not signage posted). Kenny Logsdon will ask Rick Ball to post No Parking signs. SPAR can contact the apartment to get enforcement of no trespassing rules. Lt. Bruno explained that dealing with the bridge loitering is hard due to civil liberty issues.
IX. Zoning & Unsafe Structures—Devron Cody
l We have many active cases in Springfield; completed a systematic inspection in early February. These cases include everything from over grown lots and trash to houses needing repair or complete renovation. Twenty four new cases were found on the East side from Clark to Hubbard and 1st to 8th.; with good compliance overall.
l How can we address trash piles/blight complaints? The Code and Compliance inspectors call Solid Waste requesting pick up trash piles, with good response. Also, report issues to the Care System. Cody and Shawn will visit a private dump in the area of 5th St. and Main.
X. Historic Inspection & Compliance—[Martin Kennelly, not present]
XI. Parks and Recreation— Daryl Joseph
The Dog Park is moving ahead. Next step is to complete a separate play area for a playground and basketball court. Liberty Park needs to restore fencing and provide lighting.
XII. Resident Projects/Issues
February 28 – the SPAR Neighborhood Walk at 2nd and Walnut, 11 a.m. with city officials, a stop at Klutho Park and end at the Women's Club for the Chilli Cookoff event.
May 8, 9, 10 is the Home and Garden Tour, to be located in the lower east side area. A Tea Room will be at SPAR, with a book signing of “Love Midgie”, which takes place in Springfield.
