At the end of this month Louise DeSpain will step down as Executive Director of SPAR Council after nearly a decade of service to Springfield.  Louise came to Springfield with her husband, Jackson Cross, in 1999 from Fernandina in search of a historic home after having worked as an Educational Director for the American Red Cross covering Savannah, Charleston and Daytona. 


Today we interview Louise and celebrate a decade of service to Springfield.

On your vision for the neighborhood...

"I had a vision of what the houses and the community once were and could be again. It could be a place where people could safely walk around and enjoy the historic homes and small businesses."

About the houses you’ve renovated...

“I’ve renovated three houses: 414 E. 6th, 355 E 1st, and the one I live now, 1851 Liberty. My husband and I moved into E. 6th, but when he passed the house seemed too big for me. I moved to E. 1st which was built in 1887, one of oldest in the neighborhood. I didn’t plan on moving from there either, but when I found the house on Liberty it had too much charm to pass up. It was is terrible condition though. It had been a drug house also. Code compliance didn’t want to get near it because it was in such bad shape. But it didn’t have most of it’s historic integrity intact, so renovated and moved there in 2005. The renovations to all my houses took between 6-12 months each. I also helped my daughter renovated her house on Liberty Street.”

Most memorable groups and organizations that you’ve worked with through the years...

“There are so many, but the three would be the Mayor’s Office, the City Council, and JSO and the Sheriff. These groups have been great partners to SPAR”

About your proudest accomplishment...

“That’s easy. My proudest accomplishment is how many houses we’ve saved: hundreds. The only houses that we agreed to take down were those that posed a safety risk. In fact, I was recently driving around the neighborhood with a friend from the Mayor’s office. As we drove, he remembered aloud all the various houses that would have been lost had we not stepped in. He said, and you can quote me on this: “SPAR is the model for other Jacksonville locations because of the dedication of and to the community and the ability to work with the city departments in order to accomplish what’s best for the historic district.”

On the most humorous moments...

"There are so many, but looking back it might have to be in 2002.  I was driving up Walnut St and a man in a truck was gaulking out of his window at the houses.  He backed up and ran into me.  The man turned out to be Mack Bissette who came to Springfield and formed SRG."

On what you’ll miss once you step down…

“I’ll miss the great people who love Springfield, who want this community to be what is deserves to be.”

About what’s on the near horizon for the neighborhood…

“There are definitely more new business in the works. More new and historic housing, as well as more affordable housing. And the voices and groups with in the neighborhood are starting to come together for the good of the neighborhood.”

What challenges still remain...

"We need strong community involvment to take on petty crime and continue cleaning the neighborhood."

About the difference between people that were moving to the neighborhood when you did, and people that are moving into the neighborhood now…

“Back then they were true pioneers. People came to Springfield because they wanted something different in a neighborhood. They wanted a neighborhood that challenged them, and to meet that challenge. You didn’t see many children in the neighborhood. People that are moving here now still want that to some degree, but they’ve already seen the model. They have a solid foundation to stand on, so they feel comfortable jumping in to the neighborhood. The biggest difference in people moving in that I’ve seen, are all the young professionals and families. Now, of course, we have lots of families and you see children playing everywhere.”

On what the future holds for SPAR Council…

“SPAR is still evolving, and it has to. Eventually it can be a maintenance organization, but not now. Springfield still has so much change and development left to achieve. SPAR still needs to be a stabilizing force, a catalyst, and a communicative voice, a unified voice, to outside influences such as the city and others.”

On what’s in store for the next Executive Director…

“The role will change somewhat because Springfield is changing. The role has to evolve. The SPAR Council office will continue to operate at a high level, but I think the board and its sub-committees will play a larger role. They will accomplish many things in a more dramatic and organized way.”

What's next for you...

"I want to spend more time with my family, gardening and i may write a book."

About Springfield?

"Yes."

What you want people to remember once you step down…

“ I’ve offered to help anyone that has asked for it. I’ve tramped through alleys to see first hand neighbor’s concerns. I’ve listened for hours as people explain their issues. I’ve made myself available for anyone who has needed to talk to me, even in my own house. I’ve been able to transition from being on the street with people one minute, in the thick of things, and meeting in the Mayor’s office with city officials the next.”

SPAR and Louise were recognized by the Mayor at the 2006 Neighborhood Summit.

2004 All State Neighborhood Award.

2007 Bank of America Local Hero Award.

Chief Ross' retirement, 2009.

Thank you Louise.