Crews yesterday began relocating Timmons Temple Church of God in Christ, a move necessitated by impending development plans at the site.
Via Greenway Studios LLC, Larry Snyder & Co. President Dusty Emmert plans to build microefficiency apartments where the church current sits, 934 E. Webster St. His plans divided midtown residents in
early 2014, with some opponents wanting to save the church.
In November, the Springfield-Greene County Park Board approved a plan to move the stone church to Silver Springs Park across the railroad tracks.
Greenway Studios set a March 31 deadline for removing the structure, according to a news release.
Yesterday, Carthage-based Tilton & Sons began the first stage to move the 444,000-pound structure. The first step temporarily parks the building on the northeast corner of the property, a process expected to take a day or more.
The second move requires the structure to travel east on Webster Street, then north through Silver Spring’s northern parking lot before stopping at Timmons’ new permanent home. During this stage - expected to take place next week - portions of Webster and Silver Springs will be closed. The move across BNSF Railway tracks also requires temporary removal of street signs and streetlights, according to the release.
In the third stage, the contractor will begin excavation to construct a foundation for Timmons at its new site, between the park’s basketball court and baseball field. The final move is expected to be complete in April, followed by infill and renovation work in the coming months.
The relocation project is funded entirely by donations and in-kind labor to nonprofit group Save Timmons Temple. Paula Ringer, co-chair of the group, said the estimated cost to move the facility is $250,000, of which they’ve raised $140,000. Fundraising efforts continue through
social media and a fund established via Community Foundation of the Ozarks, she said.[[In-content Ad]]