Even in his retirement party, Jim Anderson is a trendsetter.
His Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce colleagues and friends hosted a reception to recognize his 26 years of legendary service to the community on one of downtown’s most happening streets.
It wasn’t that long ago that guests described St. Louis Street as “desolate” and a sad contrast to the enjoyable parallel stroll down Walnut Street.
A flurry of new activity just might dispel that negative commentary.
The Old Glass PlaceThe Old Glass Place was a somewhat surprising, yet very fitting, venue for Anderson’s last official chamber function as CEO.
It is located a block east of his first office on Jefferson Avenue and Trafficway (United Way of the Ozarks’ current home) and three blocks west of the John Q. Hammons Enterprise Center, which has served as chamber offices the past 18 years. The location of the new office was a manifestation of Springfield’s dedication to the importance of a vibrant downtown in economic development. Anderson was a strong supporter of the Downtown Springfield Community Improvement District, the Downtown Springfield Association and a founding board member, and past president, of the Urban Districts Alliance.
The Old Glass Place, 521 E. St. Louis St., was formerly Binswanger Glass before Al Miller, owner of Miller Coach Co., purchased it for his first historic renovation. He completely transformed the space to offer up to 12,000 square feet of meeting and event space on a single level.
The guests at Anderson’s party were abuzz with how the space blends rich character with the latest amenities. In a center city marketplace with several locations for special occasions, Miller can be proud of his hard work and investments.
The U and Sky ElevenA block west of The Old Glass Place, the McDaniel and Woodruff buildings loom as the visual eastern gateway to downtown.
In recent years, they were better known for peeling paint, broken windows and graffiti – until just a few months ago.
Co-owners The Vecino Group and Tim Roth are creating new visions of student housing from the derelict office buildings. The U, formerly McDaniel, is scheduled to open in August, focusing on professional development for its residents and future graduates. Management plans monthly speakers, shark tank competitions, mentoring and internship opportunities. Sky Eleven – formerly Woodruff and renamed after the year it opened in 1911 as Springfield’s first skyscraper – received its last financing piece a few weeks ago and is planning a fall 2015 opening.
EarthgrainsImmediately to the east of the chamber is another major student housing project on St. Louis Street.
The Earthgrains bakery site has been purchased by Aspen Heights, of Austin, Texas, for development of a complex for over 500 residents. It would be well positioned for both Missouri State University and Ozarks Technical Community College students. The $38 million price tag, combined with the Sky Eleven and Heer’s construction pipeline, would result in almost $70 million in urban housing for Springfield over the next 18 months.
Thank you to Anderson, once again, for reinforcing that new beginnings can happen on windswept corridors with strong private sector partners and leaders.
Rusty Worley, executive director of Urban Districts Alliance, can be reached at rusty@itsalldowntown.com.[[In-content Ad]]
