Ingar Brunnett Melt Into Arts Inc. Cultural Planning Consultants
Introducing historic Springfield: a community innovates Northeast Florida.
Jacksonville, Florida (PRWEB) August 18, 2005
Historic Springfield is just north of downtown Jacksonville and has launched itself into a tremendous growth as it re-emerges into a residential community within the urban core. The area is known to be one of the oldest neighborhoods in Jacksonville, is comprised mainly of wood frame vernacular residential structures, with a variety in the late nineteenth–century revival and romantic styles, including Queen Anne, Colonial Revival and the Stick style. Twentieth-century styles include Prairie School, Bungalow and Mediterranean. As well as smaller numbers of masonry commercial, religious, educational and civic structures. Buildings in the historic district date from about 1885 to approximately 1930.
The intrinsic historic value of the neighborhood is attributed to the works of SPAR Council (Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council), which is a non-profit community organization intent to provide leadership to residents of the area to revitalize, preserve and restore the community with a consistent foundation of support and diverse programs Visit www. springfieldpreservation. com
Historic Springfield is also the latest hot spot in urban living with innovative live/work developments coming into play. At present, a local commercial and residential developer Symbiosis Investments, will enter the initial phases of building a mixed-use space of two and three story structures on three corners of 8th and Pearl Streets. The $17 million multi-level development will include retail, offices, residential lofts and rooftop gardens. “We are approaching to break ground on the mixed-use and pedestrian friendly developments that are so successful in other parts of the country. These communities tend to be healthier and more vibrant as they foster diversity and utilize resources more efficiently. With Shands Jacksonville a few blocks away, downtown less than a mile away, and the emerging arts community in Springfield, it simply provides for a great place to live, work and play,” said Craig Van Horn president of Symbiosis Investments. For more about Symbiosis, cultural events and programs visit www. thenewspringfield. com
Along the corridor of 8th and Pearl, is Shands Jacksonville, which is one of the largest of nine hospitals in the Shands HealthCare organization, serving 19 counties in Florida, including Duval, Clay, Nassau and St. Johns Counties, as well as several counties in southern Georgia. With more than 3, 300 employees all supporting the hospitalÂ’s mission to heal, comfort, and educate in an environment where exemplary medical care is complemented by outstanding service. The hospital offers more than 70 specialties, including cardiology, neurology, orthopedics, oncology, pediatrics and trauma. It is also the regionÂ’s only perinatal intensive care unit and Level I trauma center. In 2004, Shands Jacksonville was named a top 100 heart hospital, and in 2005 designated a primary stroke center.
Presently, the hospital will be one of only a few sites in the United States to offer proton beam therapy, which involves the delivery of tightly focused doses of electrically charges particles called protons to destroy tumors with little or no damage to adjacent healthy tissues. The proton beam facility will become a centerpiece of the UF Shands Cancer Center. Visit www. shandsjacksonville. org
Another primary contributor to the radical resurgence of urban living are the homes built by SRG Homes & Neighborhoods. SRG is a residential developer, building new historically inspired homes with the exact standards of the craftsman-style architecture popular at the turn of the century. The company is unique among its competitors by building homes that resemble finely tuned renovated homes rather than new construction. With this in mind, the traditional designs are extended with interior updates applying state-of-the-art fixtures and expansive living spaces. By supporting the historic value of the community, SRG homes has built residences in a loose fitting neighborhood plan and share the elegant tree lined streets with existing historic homes. This fluid style of living has supported the community as a re-emerging neighborhood; lending to the areaÂ’s development as a progressive, urban and culturally vibrant community in Northeast Florida.
Originally from Atlanta, Mack Bissette CEO of SRG relates Springfield’s proximity to downtown as a contributing factor to the neighborhood’s quality of life, “From Springfield we can go to JMOMA, the Cummer Museum, Metropolitan Park and the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra in just a few minutes. You can’t do that in Atlanta, it takes an hour……promoting the creation and restoration of diversity, walk ability and the vibrancy of mixed-use communities are components that support the redevelopment of the urban core.” For more information visit www. srghomes. com
Historic Springfield is located centrally less than a mile from downtown where restaurants, art galleries, museums, shopping, as well as other cultural and sports related venues abound. Along the path of Downtown Jacksonville is the natural setting of the St. Johns River where more restaurants and shops are accessible along the river walk. For coastal lovers the beaches of Northeast Florida are only 45 minutes away, which deems Historic Springfield a great place to live, work and play.
Photos available upon request.
Ingar Brunnett
Melt Into Arts Inc.
Cultural Planning Consultant
Public Relations for the Arts!
904.254.4143
Historicspringfield@comcast. net
"Art Educates, Enlivens, and Exceeds critical thought in hopes for Freedom"
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