SPRINGFIELD PRESERVATION AND REVITALIZATION COUNCIL INC

SPAR’s mission is to ensure Historic Springfield is a preferred place to live and do business by leading programs that drive the preservation, revitalization, and balanced growth of our community. SPAR is committed to:

1) Promoting neighborhood growth and improving infrastructure. Our goal is to make sure Historic Springfield has a vibrant commercial corridor, promotes historic preservation, and provides access to high-quality amenities.

2) Maintaining diversity and supporting inclusivity. We strive to ensure our neighborhood remains diverse and is inclusive of that diversity.

3) Fostering neighborhood engagement. We work to make sure Historic Springfield is recognized as a diverse, safe neighborhood and draws visitors each year through special events, and residents and business owners are successful advocates for the neighborhood.

NEIGHBORHOOD GROWTH AND INFRASTRUCTURE - To achieve neighborhood growth and improve infrastructure, SPAR is committed to developing a vibrant commercial corridor, increasing quality of life for residents and focusing on the preservation of Historic Springfield. Some strategies to accomplish this are:

Commercial Corridor
• Establish and build relationships with all commercial property owners to support new business movement into vacant properties.
• Build SAMBA membership and increase engagement of business owners, realtors, and property owners.
• Increase usability of SAMBA social media accounts and establish them as the "go to" for information related to Springfield’s Commercial Corridor.
• Improve the pedestrian and cyclist experience and promote walkability and bike-ability.

DIVERSITY - To maintain diversity and support inclusivity, SPAR endeavors to create a Diversity Committee, define our diversity work and work with target groups to increase diverse participation. Some strategies to accomplish this include:

Diverse Participation
• Plan a wide assortment of diverse activities for the neighborhood.
• Encourage a variety of different business that cater to a wide range and diverse incomes.
• Do a better job of engaging with African Americans in the community through training events: learn what the African American community is like and what is important to this group of residents.
• Engage millennial and LGBTQ residents through special inclusivity project: mural, special art project, social gathering such as partnering "sip and socialize" event organizers.
• Create Diversity Cookout.

NEIGHBORHOOD ENGAGEMENT - To foster neighborhood engagement, SPAR will develop messages related to proactive media/online campaigns, responses to critics and fundraising pitches; plan for, identify and create advocates; provide education for residents; and keep and grow neighborhood events. Some strategies to accomplish this are:

Messaging
• Create media stories that push or highlight a positive narrative of the Springfield Historic District.
• Create an organizational communications calendar that facilitates planning and coordination.
• Develop an "elevator pitch" about SPAR's mission and role in the community.
• Develop responses to common criticisms of the organization.
• Create a video campaign to launch the pitch and collect donations using YouTube.
• Communicate with residents using unifying messages through a variety of platforms.
• Immediately notify residents of relevant new issues.
• Create streamlined method of providing feedback to residents.
• Provide increased, targeted distribution of communications.

Since 1974, SPAR has facilitated positive change in the Springfield through a variety of roles and initiatives. We present performances, home tours, and public art installations to improve quality of life in and strengthen the economy of our diverse urban neighborhood. In partnership with the Springfield Area Merchants and Business Association (SAMBA), a SPAR affiliate, we recruit professionals and business owners to open offices and retail establishments in our area; collaborate with other neighborhood organizations and government agencies on projects designed to enhance the quality of life in our business district and surrounding neighborhoods; and offer educational and networking opportunities to member businesses. SPAR works with homeowners to restore their homes and educate them about historic home ownership. SPAR's Residential Revival Project assists low to moderate income residents with the costs of exterior maintenance and the restoration of their historic homes, and in partnership with the City of Jacksonville, SPAR offers a Historic Preservation Workshop Series. In efforts to revitalize the neighborhood, SPAR coordinates with residents and business owners to tackle Neighborhood Clean Up projects and works closely with local law enforcement to improve public safety. SPAR also informs and connects residents with local happenings and each other and provides valuable information and guidance to the general public about our neighborhood.

SPAR leverages volunteer support, community service projects, and the AmeriCorps national service program to fulfill its mission and meet our goals. The resurgence of Springfield is largely due to our community partners and volunteers who are committed to making our neighborhood a better place to live and work. Whether it's a community improvement project, serving on one of our Committees or planning events, our volunteers make a difference.

The SPAR Council has a long track record of civic leadership and working with government agencies, local organizations, elected representatives and businesses to boost community and economic development in Springfield. SPAR’s affiliate, SAMBA, partners with community stakeholders to provide beautification and pedestrian upgrades to the neighborhood. SPAR has coordinated with JaxParks, the City of Jacksonville (COJ) Special Events Department, COJ Planning and Development Department, JEA, Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, the FDOT Northeast Florida, Jacksonville Transportation Authority, City Council, and our Councilman Reggie Gaffney to successfully advocate for and implement improvements to local streets, sidewalks, street lamps, water well infrastructure, mass transit and the installation of bike repair stations and bike racks. We also work with them and others to host special events such as our annual PorchFest music festival, Music on Main and Historic Preservation Workshops.

To ensure the success of our community development efforts, we will continue to engage our neighborhood across a diverse spectrum of race, religion, gender and socioeconomic status and identified issues and challenges with the aim of reaching consensus on how to address and remediate concerns.

Involvement in the decision-making process is a public right and SPAR works with the Springfield residents to influence and promote sustainable decisions that acknowledge the needs and interests of everyone in the community. Effective neighborhood engagement enhances communication and cooperation and shared responsibility to implement a common vision and has allowed the Springfield community to have better relationships with elected officials, government staff and agencies that support a variety of neighborhood efforts.

SPAR is pleased with the neighborhood's progress since the implementation of our strategic plan in 2017. Commercial investment, new construction along with adaptive reuse of historic structures, small businesses opening, and the population all show consistent growth. We will monitor our strategies and update as needed. Until then we will continue to utilize our strategic plan and strengthen our efforts in improving life in the neighborhood. SPAR is excited to see what the next 3 years will bring Historic Springfield.