Buildings come down on rezoned Bass Pro property

Contractors in recent weeks have been demolishing a cluster of structures in the 1900 block of South Campbell Avenue, where Bass Pro Shops owner Johnny Morris has stated his intention to build a hotel.

Bass Pro spokesman Larry Whiteley said this morning that demolition had been in the works for some time, but he denied that the work was connected to the hotel plans.

“It is not a step toward the planned development of a hotel,” Whiteley said. “We had plans to demolish those long before we announced the hotel.”

On Jan. 13, Vaughn Dirtworks LLC filed a commercial demolition permit with the city’s building development services for 1960 S. Campbell Ave., the former Payless shoe store on the seven-acre site. The last building was demolished in the last couple of days.

Whiteley later confirmed that the cleared property would be part of a larger commercial development.

Bass Pro officials have said they intend to build a “landmark” five-story, 147-room hotel across from the Outdoor World store on South Campbell Avenue. In October 2009, Springfield City Council approved Morris’ request to rezone the property to a highway commercial district by a 6-2 vote, paving the way for a hotel development in the former single-family and light industrial district. In mid-2009, Morris and his attorneys sent a letter on behalf of Bass Pro parent company American Sportsman Holdings Co. to inform members of the adjacent Seminole/Holland Neighborhood Association.

According to the letter and an architectural sketch, the site plan calls for a hotel fronting Campbell Avenue, with the possibility for commercial space at Campbell and Cherokee Street.

Whiteley yesterday told the Springfield News-Leader he was not aware of any changes to Bass Pro’s hotel plans.

Following the letter, Bass Pro officials held a series of meetings with neighbors to address concerns related to the proposed development.

Representing Bass Pro officials, attorney Richard Walters said in the letter, “We have carefully planned this proposed hotel, with a commitment to superior design reflective of the character and history of this region, to be a significant cultural landmark for the city of Springfield and Missouri.”

Whiteley said he was not aware of the retailer’s next steps for the property. “When we’re ready to announce that, we will,” he said.
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