by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
The idea of a new homeless shelter in Springfield has the residents up in arms on two fronts. They maintain the shelter is both illegal from a zoning perspective and a detriment to property values in an area of town that has been revitalized the past five years.
On June 1, the General Services Administration awarded the old Jewish Center/Job Corps building at 3rd and Silver streets to River Region Human Services for the purpose of establishing a homeless shelter. Louise DeSpain, the president of Springfield Preservation & Revitalization Council, Inc. (SPAR), and dozens of other residents have been protesting the decision for almost two weeks now through an e-mail deluge to City Hall and town meetings. DeSpain says SPAR’s single biggest issue is the legality of the proposed shelter, for which DeSpain contends the building is not currently zoned.
The legality of the homeless shelter centers on two things: what GSA must do with excess and surplus property and Title V, McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, 45 CFR (code of Federal Regulations) Part 12, Disposal and Utilization of Surplus Real Property for Public Health Purposes, section 12.3 (d). It’s this law that DeSpain says River Region and the GSA will rely on to obtain the proper zoning. However, it’s section (d) that SPAR contends prevents the building from being used as a homeless shelter until it is both remodeled up to code and rezoned.
“We are going to lean on that extensively, heavily because it’s the law,” said DeSpain, a Springfield resident who has been a member of SPAR for six years and its president for the past three. “They are leaning on the law, too. But it’s not zoned properly. We are not against the services that River Region provides if the area was zoned properly.”
According to DeSpain the property has not been transferred to River Region yet, a process she said was supposed to take 20 days but will likely be delayed not because of opposition to the shelter but more due to processing issues.
There’s also the issue of property values. Over the past several years, millions of dollars of local, state and federal money have been poured into the neighborhood through historical grants to refurbish homes and transportation dollars to rebuild and streetscape roads. Over that time, Springfield has evolved from a crime-ridden blight to an area quickly becoming one of the new hot spots to relocate thanks to its proximity to downtown and the fact you can get a lot of house and property for your money.
Developers have noticed, too, because it’s not just individuals renovating homes. Trautmann & Company, LLC and others have invested heavily in the area and are convinced a homeless center is the wrong use for the property.
“I have done 26 commercial and residential properties in the area in the past 15 years and I live there,” said Andrew Trautmann. “Springfield has had its share of shelters, not to mention homeless people, over the years. The community has endured its burden. The property in question is in a premiere location in the community and the community is just finally turning the corner. It’s vibrant and there’s life in the buildings again. We have spent a lot of money restoring those beautiful homes.”
Trautmann said if the shelter is approved, he will take his money and his business elsewhere.
“I will move. I have already talked to two real estate brokers about my properties. There are no ands, ifs or buts about it, if they go through with this, I will change my status regarding Springfield,” said Trautmann, adding the proposal has already caused waves of unrest from those looking at Springfield. “This is a perfect example of why I would divest and sell all my properties in Springfield. I have a client who is an investment banker at Bank of America that’s looking at a $300,000 duplex that’s 1,900 square feet. She is going to live on one side and her daughter will live on the other side. Now, she’s thinking twice about it. It’s ludicrous to say we can’t find a more suitable use for the property.”
DeSpain agrees that the shelter could be devastating to current and future property values.
“Without any question,” said DeSpain. “Federal money came in in bundles for these homes in Springfield, as did City and State money. You want to forget all that and just take it away? We had 300 people at our meeting (last) Wednesday night and almost every one of them are against this.”
DeSpain said two Springfield residents who also are attorneys — Sean Dore and Helen Albee — have offered to take the case on a pro bono basis for as long as necessary.
Derya Williams, the CEO of River Region, did not return several phone calls for comment. Also, Gary Mote, a spokesperson for GSA, did not return calls or an e-mail seeking comment and additional information regarding the application and award process.
A slew of e-mails have been sent to Mayor John Peyton and City Council President Elaine Brown (many were copied to the entire Council) regarding the issue and virtually every one of them is in opposition to the building being converted into a homeless shelter. Mike Maloney and Gayle DiCarlo recently moved to Springfield from Flagler County and want no part of a homeless center a couple of blocks from their home.
“We are vehemently opposed to the prospect of turning the old Job Corps building (which by the way is only two blocks from my expensive home) into a homeless shelter,” they wrote.
Susan Nooney lives on West 4th Street and says putting a homeless center in Springfield would negate much of the work that has been done to restore the historic neighborhood.
“After all of the work the residents of Springfield have put into restoring this neighborhood, to allow River Regions Human Resources to use the Job Corps building as a homeless shelter would be devastating to historic Springfield,” she said. “We have put our hearts, souls and money into restoring this neighborhood.”
Reggie Fountain, a real estate agent with Prudential Realty Network, lives in Springfield and also sells homes in the neighborhood. Fountain says Springfield is just starting to become a neighborhood attractive to families again and a homeless shelter would make the neighborhood a tough sell.
“We in Springfield have worked tirelessly to transform this neighborhood into a family-oriented neighborhood. We are succeeding at doing this,” said Fountain. “I am a Realtor and have personally sold homes to many families with school-aged children — something that Springfield has been missing for years. The decision is threatening to undermine all of our progress.”