Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council (SPAR) is now accepting applications for the Board of Directors. The organization has lead preservation and revitalization efforts in the Springfield community since 1974, and is a key advocate for quality-of-life improvements on behalf of residents, business owners, and stakeholders alike. Applications will be accepted until September 18, 2020. [More]

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – July, 9, 2020 – Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council (SPAR) is pleased to welcome the merger of the Historic Springfield Holiday Society (HSHS) as of July 2020.

HSHS was established in 2017 by neighbors wanting to enhance the holiday experience in Springfield. SPAR and HSHS have shared a mission of improving Historic Springfield’s quality of life, raising spirits, and fostering fellowship between all neighbors. To provide the best possible community engagement moving forward, HSHS is being incorporated into SPAR, including the seasonal events, popular traditions, and boundless energy for which HSHS has been consistently recognized. Activities have included celebrations for Mardi Gras, St. Patrick's Day, and especially the Winter Holidays, where lighted wreaths and trees decorate Main Street.

SPAR looks forward to continuing traditions, and starting some anew, to benefit the entire community.

To learn more about our holiday activities, visit https://www.sparcouncil.org/holiday_society

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Springfield Preservation and Revitalization (SPAR) is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Springfield Historic District since 1974. To learn more, visit https://www.sparcouncil.org

Contact:

Kelly Rich

[email protected]

904.353.7727

Springfield Preservation and Revitalization (SPAR) is excited to announce the SPAR Boost Gift Card Campaign to support Historic Springfield’s small businesses in these challenging times. 

In recent years, the surge of brick-and-mortar small businesses investing in Historic Springfield has brought much needed life and vibrancy to the community. Small businesses across America are the most vulnerable due to the Stay-at-Home restrictions. To support those in Historic Springfield, SPAR plans to conduct the SPAR Boost Gift Card Campaign to support the local economy alongside smaller promotional campaigns appreciating frontline workers and first responders, such as the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, and healthcare workers.

Like the rest of you, SPAR Staff and Board have been monitoring the rapidly evolving situation with Coronavirus. With information changing so quickly, we wanted to make sure that we provide the most up-to-date and current information in regards to our local Historic Springfield businesses, as well as encourage social distancing measures for everyone's overall safety. 

Small businesses within our historic neighborhood will be heavily affected by the precautions taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19. If you have the means, the suggestions in the above graphic are a great way to continue to support the small businesses that we know and love. 

Additionally, we are proud to see our local Springfield businesses adapting to this new status quo and coming up with innovative ideas to continue to serve the community. Take a look at our list below of what businesses all around our neighborhood are doing to uplift all of us through these challenging times. 

Are you in the middle of your holiday shopping? Not quite sure what will make that certain family member's day or need to stick to a little closer to a budget? Don't you worry because our local SAMBA (Springfield Area Merchants and Business Association) members have plenty to offer with gift ideas that will show how much you care. You can find all the gifts below in Historic Springfield for under $50. 

Strawberry Cheesecake Pound Cake baked by 1FoxyLadyCafe // $45

1FoxyLadyCafe, 1837 N. Pearl Street

Strawberry Pound Cake infused with fresh strawberries with a cheesecake center. This scrumptious cake is topped with cream cheese icing, graham cracker crumbs, strawberry glaze, and fresh strawberries.

Assortment of baked goods from 1748 Bakehouse // $5-$20

1748 Bakehouse, 1748 N. Main Street

Prices of 1748 Bakehouse goods range from as low as $5 to as high as $20 and include items such as Granola ($8), Lavender or Cherry Pistachio Shortbread Jars ($9), Blueberry Orange Jam ($10), Roasted Strawberry Prosecco Jam ($12), Cardamom Ginger Cookies ($5), Congaree & Penn Pecan Shortbread ($5), Take and Bake Brioche Cardamom Buns ($20), AnACT Shopping Totes ($20), as well as Gift Cards in any denomination. 

Welcome to Springfield Tee by 8103 Clothing // $29.99

8103 Clothing, 1715 N. Main Street

A recent transplant to Springfield, 8103 Clothing owner, Mark Braddock, has made himself right at home and has captured the essence of the neighborhood with his creative Welcome to Springfield tee. 

For our most recent Volunteer Spotlight, we interviewed Mallik Singareddy.

Tell us a bit about yourself: 

Mallik Singareddy was born and raised in India, moved to Jacksonville, and has lived in Historic Springfield for 13 years.

What kind of volunteer work have you done in Springfield?

I have been volunteering on two SPAR boards: the finance committee (for over a year) and asset management committee, which also includes the SPAR building restoration.

What has been your favorite event where you've volunteered?
Restoration of Historic houses is my passion. I enjoy volunteering my time working on the SPAR building project. I hope to see it brought back to its former glory in the near future.

What inspired you to volunteer with SPAR?

I had learned about SPAR when I first moved to Springfield and was trying to find out more about the history of my new home. I was fascinated by historic homes in the neighborhood and a very special community that welcomed me and my family to the Springfield. As we settled in the area, I felt the need to give something back to help our community to further flourish.

At the September 5^th, 2019 annual community meeting, neighbors and guests alike are welcome to learn what's been going on in our unique neighborhood, receive updates about on-going projects, ask questions, and meet your fellow neighbors. Also at the annual meeting, SPAR members will vote on candidates for our Board of Directors. There are five openings to serve available. The Board of Directors is presenting Jennifer Chapman, Aaron Leedy and Mallik Singareddy as new candidates who would bring valuable experience, passion and skills to the organization. We are proud to present them to our membership for approval. In addition, Tim Hope, current Vice President of SPAR, and Joey Marchy, current Secretary of SPAR, are seeking reelection to the Board for a second and final term.

Please learn more about the five candidates by reading their bios below. If you have any questions for them prior to voting at the annual meeting, please submit them prior to September 5th via email to the SPAR office at [email protected], and the candidates will provide their answers at the annual community meeting on September 5th. Join the community meeting event page here!

We'e excited to announce that SPAR Council has been awarded a grant to hire an AmeriCorps member.

The position will be 20 hours per week, with flexible hours, from October 1st, 2019 through July 31st, 2020. The selected AmeriCorps member will receive a stipend and may be eligible for educational benefits, paid health insurance and child care. The member will receive extensive training and their work will have a large positive impact on our diverse, vibrant community.

Click here for the full job description and contact information to apply.

About AmeriCorps: AmeriCorps engages more than 75,000 Americans in intensive service each year at nonprofits, schools, public agencies, and community and faith-based groups across the country. Since the program’s founding in 1994, almost 1 million AmeriCorps members have contributed more than 1.2 billion hours in service across America while tackling pressing problems and mobilizing millions of volunteers for the organizations they serve. For more information on AmeriCorps, visit their website here.

Jean Tanler has been settling in to her new role as Director of Development with SPAR. Please give her a warm welcome to the neighborhood when you see her.

A little about Jean:
Jean grew up in Jacksonville and recently returned home after living in New York City for many years. She worked in film and television, primarily in script research and development, before obtaining her Master’s in Urban & Regional Planning at Pratt Institute. Upon returning, she has found a renewed love for Jacksonville’s historic neighborhoods. She lives in Avondale where she is renovating her home and preparing for the first growing season of her urban farm. 

Jean is also a real estate investor, Realtor, and has seven years on non-profit management experience. Previously, she worked at the Business Outreach Center (BOC) Network, a micro-enterprise/small business development organization in New York City delivering customized business services to traditionally underserved groups, with a focus on low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs and their communities. Prior to BOC Network, she co-founded Local Labels, a retail company selling specialty foods and gifts made in NYC. Her experience also includes organizing and coordinating public involvement efforts as a Planner at Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, the Municipal Art Society, and the Regional Plan Association and organizing events and fundraising efforts at the Neighborhood Preservation Center, a non-profit resource center for the improvement and protection of neighborhoods. She is Secretary of the Board for the Jacksonville Real Estate Investors’ Association. She loves getting her hands dirty, scouring flea markets, and travel. 

On why she is excited about this job:
“My background is in community involvement, small business development, and urban planning. I’m excited about tapping into new sources of funding and developing programming that engages the community, allowing people to connect with their neighborhood. Historic Springfield is one of the best urban neighborhoods of the South. I look forward to advocating for Springfield and expanding its reach.”

On what she loves most about Springfield:
“I feel at home in Springfield’s diverse and tight-knit community. I have fallen in love with its historic homes, moss-draped tree canopy, and open porches. The neighborhood abounds with possibility. Its walkability, parks, and mixed-uses – not to mention its wonderful and welcoming residents – have set the stage for an urban renaissance in Jacksonville and make it one of the city’s most special and appealing neighborhoods.”

Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council, Inc. has teamed up with the Give & Go Program for the second year in a row. In 2018, this valuable opportunity helped to raise over $500 which was allocated to SPAR's Commercial Corridor Beautification program. The 2019 beneficiary is still being determined.