In Wayne W. Wood's
book The Great Fire of 1901, an account of the 1901 fire that
destroyed the better part of downtown Jacksonville, one can find
early pictures of Main Street.
There are photos of tree-lined streets, people bustling between
shops and hotels, busily completing a day of shopping before
returning to one of the many grand houses that lined the streets of
the Springfield community.
Today, that picture of Main Street is much different. Boarded
storefronts make up much of this thoroughfare to the city. The trees
have long ago left, and the houses stand as a relic of the past.
But slowly, things are beginning to change.
In an effort to return Main Street to its full potential,
FreshMinistries, with assistance of other area non-profits, is
beginning to revitalize the area by assisting or creating new
business opportunities on the street.
For example, when Garland Scott, pastor of City Center Ministries
at Eighth and Main streets, brought his ministry to the inner city
to reach Springfield's forgotten, "they [FreshMinistries] were like
a MASH unit, bringing in supplies and encouragement."
Scott restored the once-vacant building that now houses a church
as well as an after-school program. The program provides youths
assistance with their schoolwork, but also provides a playground to
be enjoyed.
The playground, made possible through a grant from the Monique
Burr Foundation for Children, was installed in the fall. The
partnership between the Monique Burr Foundation, City Center and
FreshMinistries made possible the fully stocked playground, equipped
with basketball courts, swing sets and a place for church barbecues.
It is partnerships like these that FreshMinistries' chairman, the
Rev. Robert V. Lee III, sees as the most important link to
rebuilding Main Street.
"It would be easy for several businesses to come to Main Street
and restore a couple of scattered storefronts," said Lee. "However,
if we approach the project as an exercise of community, the effects
and the impact for the neighborhood in human development, economics
and aesthetics will be mighty."
One of FreshMinistries' most prominent projects is the
restoration of the Klutho apartment building on Main Street between
Eighth and Ninth streets. Not only is the building a landmark from
the days when silent-film greats like Oliver Hardy and Charlie
Chaplin occupied the large apartments during filming stints in the
city, it is a keystone for the strengthening of entrepreneurial
activity on Main Street.
Upon completion, this building will house several non-profits and
provide start-up space for five new businesses. Space will be
available to the young companies on a graduated rent scale and will
offer other amenities such as shared office equipment, conference
rooms and reception space. The building will also have space
designated for a community meeting room.
"This [the Klutho apartment building] is bringing life to Eighth
Street," said Scott, "and since Eighth Street is the heart of
Springfield, it's going to impact the whole community."
FreshMinistries is a non-profit, faith-based organization. It
promotes housing and economic development in the core city, youth
opportunities, spiritual reconciliation throughout the community,
and mission and ministry. For information, call 355-0000 or visit
jacksonville.com, keyword FreshMinistries.
