Main St. Chronology
To help everyone understand why the community is galvanizing for this amended Phase II Main St. extension, here is some background data. We do not have a complete history of the actual construction of the street: such as when it was originally paved, repairs over the years, laying water pipes, change from gas lighting to electric, etc. These are elements we would like to have for the archives.
We do have information on the many efforts that have been attempted to jump-start the revitalization process since SPAR was formed in 1974. Of course, most of these were addressed the entire process, not just Main St.
Each of the following studies included recommendations concerning revitalization of the commercial corridors. Each precipitated a flurry of activity that elevated hopes… then each died for lack of political commitment.
The overriding issue is that Springfield activists are doing everything they can do, mostly with private funds. The Main St. Project is something citizens cannot do; it is the duty of government to maintain roadways, sewers, lighting, etc. Main St. and all the other infrastructure elements in the surrounding streets have been shamefully neglected for the past 50 years.
The new government appreciation of is responsibility led to a variety of long overdue infrastructure improvements throughout the community. Residents understand that they cannot all be completed at once. However, it is vital that decision-makers recognize the long-term consequences of an indefinite delay on the current Main St. project.
The Roller-Coaster History of Springfield and Main St. Redevelopment
1869 Springfield named for spring of good water located in a field (now W. 4th St.) Credited to Calvin L. Robinson, a Jacksonville merchant1871 Springfield advertised as a planned residential community of Jacksonville (suburb) Offered by John H. Norton, one of Jacksonville’s first professional developers.
1878 Springfield area site (West of Pine Street (Main)) selected to erect the new public waterworks plant. D.J.A. Cloud of Pa. built City Water works and sewer for $ 200,000.
1879 Horse-drawn streetcar line built up Pine (Main) from Bay to 8th St. by B. Upton.
1884 G.A. Backenstoe leased the trolley and built a skating rink, dinner hall, and restaurant at 8th and Pine.
Street car line sold to Springfield Company
1888 Jacksonville Board of Trade organized Sub-Tropical Exposition opened ( 325’ x 152’) at the Water Works Park corner Main and 1st --Erection began in the fall of 1887 to compete with California for tourism. (Jacksonville had been a major resort destination for several years.) President Grover Cleveland and Frederick Douglas visit Expo. Sub-tropical Exposition closed in 1891.
1888 Outbreak of yellow fever killed 427 in Jax; paralyzed business via a rather forceful quarantine.
1891 Sub-Tropical Exposition fourth year in existence. Drill ground built near the Sub-Tropical Exposition. Gale blew in part of Sub-Tropical Building.
When were the water lines extended up Main and into the neighborhood?
1893 Site at 1st and Laura became the Florida Zoological Gardens and Exposition until 1920’s when it moved to Heckscher Dr.
1893 Electric street car loop from Main to Walnut to 1st and back to Main. Didn’t go to west of Main until much later.
1936 Last trolley removed from service. 100 Palm trees along rails removed and planted around Waterworks Park. ( Only lost a few.)
Don’t know when street was paved; however, trolley rails were dug up in 2003 during current street project.
1977 The Springfield Neighborhood Plan was produced by the Jacksonville Planning Department. As the first comprehensive analysis of the area since its nadir in the Sixties, one important outcome of this report was a successful downzoning movement. This restricted further commercial intrusion into the residential streets.
1980 The Springfield Commercial Revitalization: Main Street Project was prepared for the Greater Springfield Business Association and the CoJ Department of Housing and Urban Development by Plantec Corporation to determine the commercial revitalization potential of an eleven-block area, including portions of both Main and Eighth Streets.
1984 Historic Property Survey Commissioned by SPAR and prepared by Historic Properties Associates according to the criteria used for placement on the National Register of Historic Places
1985 AIA R/UDAT Study was conducted by the AIA’s Regional Urban Design Assistance Team; this project assembled highly qualified architects, planners, preservationists, financiers, and residents who developed a comprehensive program for revitalizing the Springfield Historic District. One component called by a restructuring of Main St. with bumpouts, etc.
1986 In-Fill Design Study Another new organization, Springfield Revitalization, Inc., sponsored a design study of infill housing with the intention of acquiring vacant lots and building historically compatible housing. None were ever built.
1987 Springfield was officially placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
1989 The National Trust for Historic Preservation received a duPont Grant to develop a new revitalization strategy for the Springfield Historic District. This funded a National Advisory Panel, a Local Implementation Committee, and some staffing for local organizations. Urban Partners collected data throughout the five-year Springfield Initiative. In the final study one recommendation was a study by the National Trust’s Main St. Center, to determine the feasibility of a preservation-based commercial revitalization program. This program spawned a variety of projects and numerous studies. After the initiative ended in 1993, two of the organizations dissolved.
1991 A separate study focusing on Main Street was conducted by the National Main Street Center. The Springfield Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization Assessment determined that the community was not ready for the program.
1993 SPAR convened a Commercial Revitalization Task Force to spearhead the Main St. Project, to spur business and job development in the community and to create a partnership with existing businesses.
1994 Main St. Corridor Project was presented to the technical committee of the Municipal Planning Organization by Phil Neary. One of the major issues was improving the safety of the street, which had at that time the highest pedestrian crash areas in FDOT District 2. It was also rated high for vehicle crashes.
1996 After two years of work, which included many letters of support from local and state officials, the project received a rating of 19 on the MPO’s five-year plan. However, Ken Moreland, District 2 FDOT Secretary, encouraged the community to persevere because it could move up as other projects were completed.
1998 Mayor Delaney created a new Springfield Initiative. The Planning and Development Department organized the Springfield Auction, a unique method of getting owners of derelict housing to sell to qualified buyers. The subsequent publicity and subsidy was a major boost to the community.
1999 The Springfield Revitalization Roundtable was formed, providing a forum for city officials, developers, community organizations, and residents to hammer out issues from animal control to zoning.
2001 One of the most important results of this collaboration was the Main St. Improvement Project. Minutes of these monthly meetings detail the development and progress of this incredibly important project.
2002 Main St. Improvement Project Phase I began with anticipated completion Summer, 2003.
2003 At September Roundtable, city representatives dropped a bombshell: all funding designated for Main St. Improvement Phase II has been expended. Construction will likely stop until after Super Bowl or longer depending on availability of funding.
2003 Main St. Task Force formed to investigate ways to modify Phase II to continue the rehab process through 7th St., avoiding an extended delay, which would kill the revitalization momentum in Springfield.
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