Jacksonville city, community and business leaders talk investment to combat crime

Some locals say they have been able to turn their neighborhoods around and help eliminate crime.

Action News Jax reporter Courtney Cole explains the success seen in the Springfield area.

"Just in the past year, I've seen such progress. We've had eight businesses open. We're in progression of probably another 10 to open that I know of this year,” said Kelly Rich.

Rich says it wasn't always this way in Springfield.

It's one of the Jacksonville communities where homeowners say they've seen a drop in crime and an influx of new business.

"Twenty years ago, we had, from what I've heard, 20 pawn shops,” said Rich, executive director of Springfield Preservation for Revitalization, better known as SPAR.

SPAR has worked with the city have worked to turn the Springfield community around.

The city is investing in at least two projects in this area as part of their Capital Improvement Program.

Rich told Cole the willingness of business owners to buy into the community is what's led to its progress and success.

"That has to do with infill development, that has to do with the success of the real estate market. That has to do with small businesses like (those) that have invested on Main Street,” Rich said.

Reggie Gaffney, councilman of District 7, where Springfield is located, says he works with the city to offer grants to businesses who move into his district.

“The city is in a position where it's willing to reach out and give incentives to companies that want to move into the urban community,” Gaffney said.

Gaffney told Cole he also requires interested parties:

• to contribute to affordable housing
• to be willing to hire at least 50 percent of their staff from the community

As city leaders look for solutions to Jacksonville's crime issues, a number of community advocates have called on the city to invest in areas dealing with crime.

One local business leader has decided to step out on his own to bring about change.

Dr. Albert Chester, II, decided to invest in Northwest Jacksonville community by opening a pharmacy.

Newtown Pharmacy has been serving customers on Moncrief Road for the last nine months.

"I could have put the pharmacy anywhere. When you meet the health care need, you're also meeting a need people don’t really talk about — that's that inspirational need. When you see something now, it becomes tangible, it becomes doable,” Chester said.

In the 2018-2019 fiscal year, the city has dedicated $164 million to 132 projects — scattered across all 10 districts in Jacksonville.

It's a part of their capital improvement plan.

Many of the projects focus on road and infrastructure repairs.

While some of them are countywide, many of them focus on Downtown Jacksonville and on the Westside.

Councilman Terrance Freeman, of District 10, said getting others to invest in his district is something he's been working on since day one.

Freeman said the first piece of legislation he filed was on workforce development— to fight for federal dollars and grants for our local workforce.

"The legislation went through all committees and it was passed this past Tuesday. I met with numerous business owners, business leaders in the community. There's an appetite for it,” Freeman said.

Now, Freeman says it's about getting businesses to consider his district — and others like it.

Cox Media Group