Everyone in Springfield is here for a great many varied reasons, and I wont even claim to know them all.

I am here because it is close to work, I love old homes, there is an incredible sense of community here, and yes, dare I say it, an economic upside of saving an old neighborhood in the urban core.

Whats funny is, we (my wife and I) started driving through this neighborhood not to plot the future of our bank accounts, but to uncover her past. Her great grand parents used to live in Springfield and she wanted to see where those houses were. Interesting this is, Springfield is a tie to almost everyone who has any Jacksonville lineage. Springfield was the heart of this city for the better part of 80 years, only to be abandoned by its denizens for expressways and cookie cutter houses where they can go home and giggle to themselves about all of the problems “they” are having in their “dangerous” neighborhoods, not realizing the house next door is a grow house, and their best friend beats his wife.

Springfield has its trials and tribulations, no doubt. What I do know is, my neighbors have my back in ways that you could never possibly understand. My kids go to quality schools and I dont sit in the soul sucking traffic on US 17 or blanding everyday to go to my job, which is downtown.

Perhaps one day I will opt for the cookie cutter life, with its commute, and “peace”. For now, I will stick with some of the best people I have ever met in my life, and their greed. Thanks.

What is unfortunate is that MCM cannot conceive of a perspective that gives considerable weight to other factors.

Speculation is rampant in every city in America. I suppose MCM would charge every home owner with “greed.” And some would argue that is correct.

But dont single out Springfield for this venom. If you want to see the most terrible manifestations of this greed, look out your window at the suburban stucco nightmare.

If you want to understand Springfield (or the surging interest in urban renewal nationwide) try looking at what makes it unique, not the negative aspects it shares with every neighborhood in America.
Try and understand the people whose values dont align so closely with yours. Whose committment to those values have been demonstrated over and again, through countless efforts…individual and collective
Dont project the dollar signs that cloud your vision into everyone else’s eyes.

The proof is in the pudding. Your hooked on Urban Jacksonville…not Suburban Clay County.

The residents of Jacksonville’s urban core, and places like them all over the country, take thier neighborhoods into thier own hands and committ to re-building them.

They empower themselves to create a COMMUNITY. And sometimes they get paid. Welcome to the American Dream…maybe next time you will bet on a better horse.

On point #1–The final paragraph began with the statement “nothing wrong with that”. I don’t have a problem with a person making a profit off of his investment. Just be man enough to admit that. Like I said, don’t try to come off as a noble crusader for the preservation of a great historic district.

On point #2–Someone stated that they feel safe. I would bet that that is a minority opinion. Most people in the greater Jax area would be surprised by that statement. You spoke of issues in your story that deal with “safety” (crime, drugs, prostitution)

On point #3–Schools- Springfield and Duval county school system–enough said.

That brings us to point #4. I stand by my statement.

if you look at the 4 criteria, why would any intelligent person not reach the same conclusion I did.

Like I said, I am not trying to make you angry, just trying to get you to be honest.

I bought a house in Springfield because I wanted to live close to downtown in a historic neighborhood and I coudn’t afford RIverside or San Marco.

I just want to point out on point, and this isn’t an attempt to make you angry. You state in point #4 on your reasons for moving to Orange Park:

4. Real estate values (will my home appreciate)

How does moving to Springfield for appreciation home values make one more greedy than moving to OP for appreciating home values? I’m just not sure I see the reasoning behind the statement:

most of you are in Springfield for one reason, and one reason only. You moved there out of greed.

I think you will find, as you continue to read this blog, Springfield has one of the liveliest neighborhood communities in the city. I have more friends in Springfield than any other neighbor I have ever lived in.

Again thanks for your input and I hope to see you joining the conversation again!

Let me preface my comments by saying that I have no ties to Springfield, in fact I don’t even live in Duval county, I live in Orange Park. When I moved to the area, I made my decision on where I would live based on some very important criteria.
1) location-proximity to work
2) safety of the neighborhoods (I live in a gated community)
3. Quality of schools
4. Real estate values (will my home appreciate)

These are what most people consider when they are looking for a place to live and raise a family. It is obvious to me that most of you are in Springfield for one reason, and one reason only. You moved there out of greed. You saw potential for investment, not in a community, but in real estate. You found large square footage at a very reduced price and you lapped it up as quick as you could.

Nothing wrong with that, but don’t get on a soapbox now and claim your heart bleeds for the community. You want change in the community and everyone to speak well about it so you can reap the benefit of your financial investment. Just be honest and quit trying to sound so noble. Most intelligent people can see right through you.

That kind of generalizing, don’t you think? As a member of SPAR Council (the Treasurer…or “Glorified Bean Counter”) AND a friend of Joey’s, I can state a reasonable, respectful objection to one of his answers and still retain my friendship and respect for the guy.

However, once the dialogue degressed into personal attacks on Joey, hell yah I (and Dan) felt the need to try to get people to temper their posts. I may be mistaken, but I believe Dan and I were the only SPAR Board members to post, the remaining being residents of SPR, most of whom stated their opinions without getting personal…a few who did not. The same few who often tend to “go for the jugular” as Steven stated earlier.

Leave SPAR Council out of it. We’ve got more important things to worry about such as working to improve the parks/Greenway, foster communication between SPR and the various city agencies (monthly Roundtable), address abandoned/problem structures, work with LT Brown & JSO to address crime, etc, etc…than to draft a response to Folio.

Phil

The problem is when the topic at hand is bypassed for personal insults and accusations, which have no place in a civil discourse.

I agree with this 100%. I appreciate people coming to my aid, but I think it’s time to move on.