Photo: Operation New Hope Community Garden in East Jacksonville
Join us Monday morning on Urban Jacksonville Weekly as we talk to Beverly Toney from FreshMinistries about their work in Springfield and, increasingly East Jacksonville. FreshMinistries’ 6-Point Community Initiative includes multiple programs that interlock and build upon one another to create solutions to address the “whole social crisis†affecting our communities.
It must be working. Crime is declining and Springfield neighbors have an overall favorable view of the Eastside. Here are some comments from Thursday evening’s Eastside community meeting at the East Jacksonville Neighborhood Resource Center:
… year-to-date Violent Crimes decreased by 34% and year-to-date Property Crimes decreased by 32%. Lt. Gallaher believes this is a direct result of the changing community’s ideas and attitudes. Elaine Lancaster of Code Enforcement then gave statistics of the drop in violations. 2 and ½ years ago, when we first called this community to action, there were approx. 800 code violations in the core area of East Jacksonville; there are now a little over 300. What an accomplishment.
When I booked FreshMinistries for Urban Jacksonville Weekly I informally polled Springfield neighbors to get a sense for how they felt about the Eastside. My findings surprised me. Here are some selected quotes from my Metro Jacksonville forum posts on the topic: Springfield vs. Eastside and Connect Eastside and Springfield?
One bright spot for the neighborhood however is the abundance of inexpensive warehouse space that artist and bands can get for studio and practice space right now that seems to be bringing some artistic new life into the area.
Long term, look at the old rail lines that ran between the communities. Something that has historically separated them, could unify them through creative urban design. It could potentially become a linear urban greenway, stretching into downtown or a mix of linear urban park space and mass transit.
There is so much good discussion between these two posts, you’ll have to go over and read for yourself. Please join the conversation and listen in Monday at 9:30am on Urban Jacksonville Weekly.
