Anderson Engineering plans new HQ

Map provided by city of Springfield

Anderson Engineering Inc. is seeking a rezoning and annexation to build its new headquarters on South West Bypass.

The future for a parcel of land on West Bypass has been mapped out, pending approval by Springfield City Council.

Anderson Engineering Inc. plans to build a new headquarters at 3200 S. West Bypass, where it’s seeking to purchase land owned by Donald Williams. The sale of the 9-acre property — just northwest of the James River Freeway intersection — is contingent on council giving the green light to an annexation and rezoning proposal.

At council’s meeting last night, the governing body held a first reading on the plans.

“We’ve doubled in size the last five years and we’re just out of space. So we’re looking to relocate our office,” Anderson Engineering CEO and President Neil Brady told council, referencing the firm’s current office at 2045 W. Woodland St.

Brady could not be reached for comment this morning on the scope of Anderson Engineering’s planned headquarters.

The rezoning of the property to highway commercial from suburban residential would create Conditional Overlay District No. 154. Brady cited city services that come with annexation, such as coverage by the Springfield Police and Fire departments, for the request.

“The city of Springfield is where we want to be. We prefer to be inside of city limits,” he said.

During the meeting, council members voiced their recommendations for a more complete annexation plan moving forward.

“I think it’s something we need to look at as a council and as a city on how we go about annexation rather than just piecemeal annexation property by property,” Councilman Bob Hosmer said. “I just think it doesn’t lead to good long-term planning for the city. In the near future, we need to look at some sort of plan for future annexation.

A vote for Anderson Engineering’s rezoning and annexation proposal is scheduled for council’s Sept. 24 meeting.