Let us introduce you to our 2023 Candidates for the SPAR Board of Directors! The Board of Directors are presenting Kenny Logsdon and Rachelle Miller as new candidates who would bring valuable skills, passion, and knowledge to our organization. 

Please learn more about the candidates by reading their bios below. If you have any questions for them prior to voting at the annual meeting, please submit them before December 5th to [email protected] and the candidates will provide their answers at the Annual Meeting.

SPAR members will be able to vote on candidates at our Annual Meeting on Tuesday, December 5th at the Wells Fargo. Doors open at 5:30 pm. Aside from voting, SPAR members will receive updates about on-going projects and efforts in the community. 

Michael Haskins, an experienced non-profit leader 
to head Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council (SPAR)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – (March 31, 2023) — Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council (SPAR) has hired Michael Haskins as the organization’s new executive director, effective April 3rd. Haskins comes to SPAR with more than 10 years of experience as an education and non-profit leader.

"Michael not only brings valuable leadership experience to the organization, but also a fresh perspective," said Kelly Lezama, President of SPAR board of directors. "Springfield has grown tremendously over the last decade, with even greater potential in the years to come. Michael will help us navigate the journey in a thoughtful and inclusive way, both as an organization and as a community."

Haskins will lead SPAR’s activities and efforts making Historic Springfield a preferred place in which to live and do business. He will lead programs that drive the preservation, revitalization and balanced growth of the community.

The holidays are fast approaching, and we all have to-do lists a mile long. Are you searching for ideas for gifts for your loved ones? Are you eager to avoid running all over town in search of the perfect present? Solve both problems by shopping Springfield! Our local businesses have a great selection of gifts for those you love, and all within our own neighborhood. Keep reading for some lovely gift ideas, all for under $50, that your friends and family will be delighted to receive!

Let us introduce you to our 2022 Candidates for the SPAR Board of Directors! The Board of Directors are presenting Daniel Ashworth Jr., Alison Blitch, Katie Derringer, Kimberly Green, and Tyler Grant as new candidates who would bring valuable skills, passion, and knowledge to our organization. 

Please learn more about the candidates by reading their bios below. If you have any questions for them prior to voting at the annual meeting, please submit them before December 7th to [email protected] and the candidates will provide their answers at the Annual Meeting.

SPAR members will be able to vote on candidates at our Annual Meeting on Wednesday, December 7th at the Wells Fargo. Doors open at 5:30 pm. Aside from voting, SPAR members will receive updates about on-going projects and efforts in the community. 

Kelly Rich, Executive Director of Springfield Preservation and Revitalization (SPAR) Council, announced that she will be stepping down from her position effective Nov 25, 2022.

Rich has served in this capacity since 2018, acting as a diligent advocate for the Springfield Historic District and advancing the mission of the organization. The community and SPAR are extremely grateful for her contributions and look forward to building on the many successes of her tenure moving forward.

"My time with SPAR has been more fulfilling than I ever could have imagined. The staff, board of directors, donors, members, and volunteers have all been such enthusiastic supporters. I hope my leadership has been as impactful to the community as the community has been to me"

 - Kelly Rich, SPAR Executive Director 

During Rich's five year tenure with SPAR:

> Membership grew over 300%.

> Popular activities like Explore the Core and Music on Main were introduced, continuing the organization’s commitment to free, accessible community programming.

> Over 20 new small businesses opened in Springfield, with SPAR awarding over $35k in grants to assist with facade improvements and pandemic impacts.

> A $500k capital campaign to restore SPAR's Main Street office was successfully completed.

> SPAR celebrated Springfield’s 150th anniversary by transforming a highly visible vacant lot into a popular community greenspace, Sesquicentennial Park.

> Jacksonville PorchFest grew to over 20K attendees; named Best Festival in Jacksonville.

> SPAR received awards from LISC Jacksonville, Jacksonville Business Journal, WJXT News4Jax and City of Jacksonville.

> Rich was honored as a 2022 Women of Influence by the Jacksonville Business Journal.

"Kelly brought a fresh perspective with unique ideas that helped SPAR grow its community programming, business districts, and our signature event - Jacksonville PorchFest. Over the past five years, she's not only been a valued colleague, she's become family. I'm excited for her next chapter, and I am confident the future of Historic Springfield will be great because of the mark she left on it." - Tim Hope, SPAR President 

Rich will be moving to Fayetteville, Arkansas, in her new role as Director of Downtown Initiatives for Experience Fayetteville.

SPAR will conduct a search for an Executive Director, with more information about that opportunity to be shared soon.

Media inquiries: 904.353.7727 - [email protected] 

Springfield Preservation and Revitalization, or SPAR, is excited to announce that Historic Springfield has been chosen as the host site for UF Health Week May 9-13 for the second year. While much of the public honors health care workers daily, UF Health hosts a special celebration annually, which coincides with National Hospital Week. UF Health is one of the city’s largest employers, and SPAR aims to introduce employees to the unique businesses in the Springfield Historic District. 

To show appreciation for UF Health’s role in the community, 15 local businesses have partnered with SPAR to offer discounts and incentives to UF Health employees. This is a prime example of the unique opportunities that SPAR looks for to promote Historic Springfield’s commercial corridors. Local business owners feel that UF Health employees who experience the personality of the neighborhood will become regular customers. Seeing more UF Health badges on Main Street and throughout the neighborhood will become an everyday experience. 

“This is another great way to recognize the efforts of everyone at UF Health, and the fact that it’s being spearheaded bySpringfield Preservation and Revitalization and local businesses makes it even more special,” said Russ Armistead, CEO of UF Health Jacksonville. “We’re proud to be a key part of this community and our employees look forward to this opportunity in downtown Springfield.”

SPRINGFIELD PRESERVATION AND REVITALIZATION COUNCIL (SPAR)
Events & Programming Manager

Overview:

Roles & Responsibilities: The Events and Programming Manager oversees the logistics and promotion of SPAR’s events and programming. This position also supports the marketing on special initiatives and projects, and provides support to sponsors, partners and stakeholders. This position requires strong project management skills from research and planning to execution and measurement. A flexible schedule is necessary to attend the majority of events. 

Being a part of a community means supporting the community - and not just on social media. Have you been asking yourself the question of how you can best support our diverse community right here in Historic Springfield? An actionable way to support is to shop at Black-owned businesses. Not just today, but every day. Redirecting our economic resources is one important step towards achieving racial equity not just in our neighborhood, but our city. 

Let’s make a conscious effort, as neighbors, to spend our money at the diverse shops and businesses who chose to make Historic Springfield their home. We gathered a list of Black-owned brands from our Springfield Merchants and Business Association (SAMBA) membership. From retail and beauty to fitness and food, Springfield has plenty of choices when looking to shop small and support our diverse commercial corridors. 

Restaurants/Food Trucks/Desserts

1 Foxy Lady Cafe and Catering

Crabgod LLC 

Junkanoo Shack, LLC

Kenya's Kakery

Icecapade Frozen Treats

Main Street Food Park

Nola's Snoballs Sweets & Savory Eats

Silkie's Chicken and Champagne Bar 

Springfield Nutrition

Springfield Scoops

Tha SoulFood Smagicians

The Cookbook Restaurant

The Sweet Spot & Urban Lounge

Service

Belle Epoque Realty

Dare to Hire Different

Explore JAX Core

Grace and Truth CDC

Liberty Security

Make Up Craze Beauty

Pamela Batts-Brown, Realtor

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. - Theta Phi Chapter

Rachelle Miller, Realtor

RE/MAX Supreme

The Kickbox

Retail

Plantaja

Simply Ke’say Boutique

Sweet Christi’s

We know there are so many other great Black-owned businesses in Historic Springfield, including AMillion Strands, Auntie Peaches, Avela Day Spa, Classic Maven, Big House of Glass, Sly Jones Fashion, Ysyntricity, and more. Who else could we add?

Springfield Preservation and Revitalization (SPAR) is excited to share news about the success and growth of its Explore the Core program since the program’s inception in 2019. Inspired by the recognition of Historic Springfield as the “Most Bikeable Neighborhood in Jacksonville” and SPAR’s desire to build relationships with its other Urban Core neighbors, Explore the Core is the most tangible way to see how connected the oldest neighborhood is to the rest of Downtown Jacksonville. With a mission to promote the community’s bike-friendly reputation to the entire region, SPAR’s bike socials are free to join and include all ages and skill levels. 

In 2021, SPAR was awarded a $3000 grant from Fat Tire Amber Ale’s ‘Bike Advocacy’ grant program. Awardees across the country received grants to fund projects that promote cycling in their communities and give equal opportunity for all to access the outdoors. SPAR’s project will support the current Explore the Core program with the addition of a new route to Historic Durkeeville.

After experiencing continuous growth of participation and support throughout 2021, SPAR has partnered with Art Bikes Jax as the premier sponsor for the 2022 calendar year. Representatives from Art Bikes Jax will be joining in on Bike Socials and giving group tours in Historic Springfield highlighting local history and art. Both SPAR and Art Bikes Jax invite the Jacksonville community to join them on the first Bike Social of 2022 to trek the newly added route to Historic Durkeeville on Saturday, February 5th. If you don't have a bike to participate, don't worry! Art Bikes Jax is offering rentals of their e-bikes for just $30. Reserve yours today!

The 2022 list of Explore the Core excursions include:

• February 5th - Historic Durkeeville
• April 29th - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp game
• June 18th - Evergreen Cemetery 
• September TBD - Historic Eastside Murals/Jacksonville Jaguars Game
• October 28th - Historic Springfield Bike-A-Boo!
• December 13th - Historic Springfield Annual Holiday Bicycle Ride

Let us introduce you to our 2021 Candidates for the SPAR Board of Directors! The Board of Directors is presenting Jason Hardwick and Alejandro (AJ) Rodriguez as new candidates who would bring valuable skills, passion, and knowledge to our organization. In addition, John Shermetaro (current Treasurer of SPAR), Christine Lane, Ryan McFarland, and Bryant Shumaker are all seeking reelection to the Board for a second and final term. 

Please learn more about the candidates by reading their bios below. If you have any questions for them prior to voting at the annual meeting, please submit them before December 6th to [email protected] and the candidates will provide their answers at the Annual Meeting.

SPAR members will be able to vote on candidates at our Annual Meeting this coming Tuesday, December 7th at Hyperion Brewing Company. Doors open at 5:30 pm. Aside from voting, SPAR members will receive updates about on-going projects and efforts in the community.