Main Street work at end, but some stores feel unwelcome
Florida Times-Union Article:
Road construction on Main Street in Jacksonville’s Springfield neighborhood is almost done, and businesses like Team Recovery’s Thrift Store are thankful.
“While the construction was occurring, it got pretty bad for us,” store manager Tom McPhillips said. “It was dusty so we couldn’t leave the front door open and it was also noisy.”
As McPhillips spoke, the view from outside the window on the 1700 block of North Main showed a four-lane street with a tree-filled median with antique-style streetlights. City officials say all that’s left to do on the $14 million project that began in November 2007 is to install brick crosswalks. That will be done by next month.
The construction is part of an effort to revitalize the eight-block neighborhood and with it attract new, upscale business. And that has thrift stores like Team Recovery and pawn shops like Money Tree Jewelry and Pawn hoping to succeed.
But they also feel that the people who pushed for the revitalization - mainly, the Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council, a residents group that has worked with the city - don’t really want them around.
“My view is that a rising tide lifts all boats, but SPAR doesn’t seem to want us here,” McPhillips said.
Better than nothing
City Councilman Johnny Gaffney, whose district includes Springfield, said the pawn shops and thrift stores have a place.
“I would like to see a variety of businesses in the area that create jobs,” Gaffney said. “Pawn shops aren’t my first choice, but I would rather see a pawn shop than a vacant store.”
Louise DeSpain, the Springfield group’s executive director, said the goal is to attract more upscale businesses into the area.
DeSpain said SPAR isn’t hostile to the existing pawn shops and thrift stores and is working to develop a relationship with the ones on Main Street. But it prefers to see different types of businesses fill the many vacant stores along the road, she said.
The Springfield Historic District prohibits pawn shops, although existing ones have been grandfathered in. At one point, there were perhaps a dozen on Main Street. Now there are three.
“Only the strong survived,” said Gus Mashni, owner of Money Tree.
Mashni cannot move to another location on Main Street because his grandfather clause applies only to his current location. And if his state license that allows him to run a pawn shop expires, he’s out.
“That’s why I renew my license two to three months before it expires,” he said. “I’m not taking any chances.”
Gaffney said his idea for the neighborhood is to make a push for small businesses like a farmers market, grocery store or jazz club. There’s plenty of room. A walk around the neighborhood reveals about 15 to 20 vacant buildings along the construction area.
Business picking up
Wafaa Alabed has noticed an uptick at the restaurant she owns, Wafaa and Mike’s Cafe. But Alabed also wants to see more businesses come into the area.
The vacant stores need to be filled, she said.
“Right now, people don’t walk around this neighborhood,” she said. “I hope the stores that are vacant around here get filled, and the people who shop at the new stores come here as well.”
Gaffney said the new road will encourage people to walk around the neighborhood, thus attracting businesses. And he said more people are moving into the neighborhood because they want to live in an historic area that is close to downtown.
“If we can improve the quality of life and create an area on Main Street that is a safe place for people, then the entire area will become more attractive,” Gaffney said.
DeSpain said the end of construction would lead to a push for new development. SPAR is meeting with developers and encouraging businesses to come in, from high-end shops to small, boutique businesses.
“We’re going to begin a real push to get beauty shops, dry cleaners and other businesses into the area,” she said. “We’re working on attracting businesses that will appeal to people who work at Shands and others in the area.”
The historic district is eligible for federal tax incentives as an enterprise and empowerment zone. It can also get money from the Northwest Economic Development Trust Fund, which was created by the city to encourage economic development in the northwest section.
larry.hannan@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4470
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