Comments on: Boomtown coming back to Springfield?

By: soxfan

soxfan — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 00:49:12 +0000

I stand corrected!! I was not aware of the houses he renovated. I was told about them by a friend also. Perhaps I need to cut him a little slack. I believe I still hold a little grudge against him for ruining Henrietta’s. It was one of my favorite spots!! He should, at least to stay in the good graces of the neighborhood, update us honestly on what the hold ups are with his projects. All the broken promises add up after a while.

By: tom borland

tom borland — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 13:14:50 +0000

he did renovate a good number of houses and turn them into nice rentals. I lived in one on laura while I was fixing up my house. My understanding was that he also had something to do with the renovation of the old office building/former apt building next the Church of Christ on Main St. I do think it would be nice however if he give the community an update on what’s happening with 8th and Pearl. At least change the website to make it look like you are still trying. If I was a potential tenant and saw the parts on the website that said we expect full occupancy in 2006, I would think that he must have given up and moved on.

By: soxfan

soxfan — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 21:25:22 +0000

Considering all what renovations he’s done in Springfield? The only one I’m aware of is 9th&Main. I could be wrong but that’s the only thing that I’m aware of besides the running of, what, about 5 restaurants into the ground. About his reservoir of goodwill, like any reservoir, when there’s a drought, that reservoir dries up.. What about the apartment building on W8th St.? When everyone was complaining about the noise and crime there, Craig said he was going to empty them and renovate. He even asked the neighborhood for ideas, what has he done with those? NOTHING!! The he-whores and drug dealers are using the lot for their office again. What has he done with any of his properties other than 9th&Main? He is not in Chris Hionedes status with the hood yet, but he can get there real quick with his broken promises and our false hopes!! Just my 2c sorry if I piss anyone off!!

By: stephen dare

stephen dare — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 13:48:47 +0000

so do we, vic!

By: vicupstate

vicupstate — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 13:44:09 +0000

The residents of Springfield have to realize that NO ONE, including Van Horn, can build something based on “build it and they will come’.

You have to have LEASES for the commercial space at 8th and Pearl. Perhaps van Horn was too opimistic or perhaps counted chickens before they hatched, but that doesn’t make him a bad guy or disingenious. Perhaps he had verbal commitments, but the parties didn’t sign.

I don’t understand the seemingly unreasonable demands for Boomtown to lease the space. But it is his property, he is not required to lease it to anyone under any circumstances.

I have never met Van Horn, but I have heard positive comments about him. He probably should have stayed with development rather than branch into the restaurant business (which is one of the most difficult businesses to succeed in), but if he hadn’t, that building might be in Hionides hands right now.

Considering all the renovation he had done in Springfield, one would think he would have a reservoir of goodwill in the neighborhood.

I hope he and Stephen can come to an agreement that benefits all involved.

By: PCollins

PCollins — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 13:24:02 +0000

btw…”scumsuckingslumlordfromthestinkingdepthsofhell” refers to the sack of maggoty pig flesh that owns much of Main St’s decrepit properties,…

…not Craig Van Horn.

By: PCollins

PCollins — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 12:56:03 +0000

There is still good will towards Craig (in my household anyway). But I agree with Skimbro…there is a lack of traction in his projects. We can’t tell him what to do, considering it is not our money that is being risked, but it would be nice to see progress.

And I really really miss the old Henrietta’s under Justine and Dave and really really wish Craig would stick with development.

By: skimbro

skimbro — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 11:08:16 +0000

Craig gets a lot of well-deserved credit for opening Henrietta’s. But I think people are getting impatient to see something done with his other properties. He owns a lot of W 8th, including the stalled 8th and Pearl project. When I moved here a year and a half ago, that project was going to start any day. And it was just a few months ago (long enough ago that it was clearly false encouragement) that Craig put out a message on the forum board about how he was getting all the final permits so the project could move ahead. Similarly, there were big plans announced to renovate the crappy apartments behind the Blue Front, which as far as I know hasn’t happened, either. After a while, this “any minute now” act gets old, and people start to lose confidence. I don’t have any animosity toward Craig, and I do still believe he is trying, but if he can’t get the money together to do something, I’d rather see him sell to someone who can and will.

By: Triclops I

Triclops I — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 21:22:21 +0000

36 what? For what?
He should pay yall….

(paying attention…)

By: Fawn Leibowitz

Fawn Leibowitz — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 21:15:26 +0000

I always thought this Craig Van Horn character was generally well liked and respected in the ‘Field, no?

I mean, obviously from the comments here, no, but when i first moved here a few years ago, it seemed like he was a good guy, what with opening Henrietta’s and being somewhat of a commercial pioneer.