I was taken captive against my will on my last visit to St. Louis. Not by terrorists or aliens, but by suburban gridlock on the asphalt jungle of Interstate 270.
After living within five blocks of the office the past seven years, it was frustrating to endure and bewildering to witness thousands of commuters willfully subjecting themselves to hours of futility each week.
While it may have been en vogue to be a part of the suburban migration of the 1960s, '70s and '80s, living in center city is emerging as a good value that is convenient and primed for growth.
Value at the front door
Housing options are available for all demographics: single-family homeowners, loft renters and condominium buyers.
Between 2002 and 2008, the average sales price in the five urban neighborhoods surrounding center city Springfield increased 40.5 percent. Comparatively, sales price growth for the entire City was 24.3 percent and 22.8 percent for Greene County. Why? The continued growth of Missouri State and Drury universities and Ozarks Technical Community College, the addition of Jordan Valley Park, the arrival of St. Louis Cardinals minor league baseball at Hammons Field, renovation of the YMCA, and expansions of restaurants, coffeehouses, live theater venues, and 16 movie screens make living in and near downtown an attractive option once again.
Apartment choices range from small college units near campus to large lofts with original brick walls and rustic timbers. In a time when financing can sometimes be hard to secure, renting an apartment that is close to work and entertainment is gaining appeal.
Prospective residents who are in a stage of life where they desire an urban lifestyle, but want to own their homes, now have condominium options. New projects such as Six23, the Wilshire and the Lofts at Jordan Creek have brought dozens of new units at multiple price points into the Springfield market.
Bike, bus and walk to work
Instead of enduring hours of mind-numbing talk radio driving to and from work, Ozarks Greenways encourages commuters to bike, bus or walk to work during the week of May 11. Executive Director Terry Whaley touts 10 reasons to take advantage of alternative transportation:
1. Conserves resources
2. Reduces pollution
3. Saves money
4. Relieves traffic congestion
5. Company recognition
6. Saves time by combining exercise and commuting
7. Invigorates the start of the work or school day
8. Reveals nature
9. Improves health, energy and productivity
10. Free coffee and bagel at Panera Bread, a program sponsor
Primed for growth
Center city housing is poised for growth due to three factors: employment, recreation and quality schools.
The greatest concentration of jobs in Springfield - more than 25,000 - is within a mile of Walnut Street and South Avenue. The continued expansion of the IDEA Commons, led by the Jordan Valley Innovation Center, and development of BKD's corporate headquarters will attract new professionals to downtown.
All work and no play makes life much too dull. The development of the West Meadows will expand Jordan Valley Park from Main Avenue to Kansas Expressway. The passive green space will give residents, employees and students the chance to jog, bike, play Frisbee with their dogs, or fly kites. The donation of Tindle Mills to Drury promises to lengthen the greenway trail from Sherman Avenue to Chestnut Expressway and link Drury, OTC and Evangel campuses. Additionally, it sets the stage for the future connection to Jordan Valley Park. This will ultimately create miles of interconnected center city trails.
Finally, in order to return families to the area, parents must feel confident in the caliber of area schools. Central High School is nationally recognized for its International Baccalaureate program, which is drawing students from throughout the district to a point where it is now at capacity. Boyd Elementary's enrollment has increased with its Primary Years program and Jay Anderson of Campbell Elementary was recognized as a Missouri distinguished principal.
Center city living is not for everyone. But for those who appreciate variety over vanilla and greenways instead of gridlock, it is an invigorating lifestyle.
Rusty Worley, executive director of Urban Districts Alliance, can be reached at rusty@itsalldowntown.com.
