by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
There is a distinct possibility that next fall’s Jacksonville Symphony Association Showhouse will be in historic Springfield.
Sue Ashby, president of the the Guild of the JSA, said her group is currently negotiating with Springfield Preservation and Restoration Council (SPAR) to possibly use two houses —one newly constructed home and one refurbished home.
“They have some beautiful places,” said Ashby, who has been involved with the JSA for the past five years. “Springfield expressed interest and asked us about it. We are just kind of looking into it now.”
This year’s JSA Showhouse was at the VillaRiva in Riverside. It was the organization’s 30th Showhouse and Ashby said about 6,000 people toured the riverfront condo over the course of three weeks. During the past three decades, the JSA’s Showhouse has been all over the First Coast, with host homes in San Marco (The Lofts), Marsh Landing, World Golf Village, Palencia and Queen’s Harbour, just to name a few.
Louise DeSpain, the president of SPAR, said it would be terrific for the emerging neighborhood to host so many people, many of whom probably haven’t seen Springfield in years, if ever.
“It looks like we have a really good chance and we are excited about it,” said DeSpain. “I think it would be absolutely fantastic for this neighborhood. There would be thousands of people coming to this revitalized area. It would be a tremendous boost to that community.”
Ashby said other areas have expressed interest in hosting the fall 2006 Showhouse, but the JSA is currently dealing primarily with Springfield.
“Springfield really intrigued us and we expect to make a decision within the next couple of months,” said Ashby.
The JSA Guild also is considering several other events during next year’s Showhouse that include outdoor concerts by the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, the Jacksonville Youth Symphony Orchestra and individual musicians. An artisan fair and other family-oriented events also are on the drawing table.
Two years ago, the Showhouse was at Casa Del Rio in Palencia. Ashby said about 8,000 to 9,000 people passed through the home, which is in one of the area’s newest communities. DeSpain thinks the Springfield homes could draw very similar crowds due to Springfield’s central location and almost mystic feel that still surrounds an area going through a metamorphosis.
“We can deal with that. We are not intimidated by big crowds,” said DeSpain. “We have been giving home tours for the past 20 years. We will just have to gear up more and do it with a bigger style. By the end of July, we will know one way or the other and I am fairly confident they will choose Springfield.”