City Beat: Council clears way for greenspace purchase

City Council cleared the way for a land purchase agreement aimed at preserving greenspace in southeast Springfield.

Greenspace LLC is under contract to purchase about 16 acres at South Lone Pine Avenue and Southern Hills Boulevard for $1.2 million from landowners John Q. Hammons and Lee McLean. The deal is expected to close by the end of the month.

At its June 16 meeting, council approved formation of a neighborhood improvement district to fund the acquisition. The self-taxing district is expected to raise $675,000, based on property assessments of $80 per year per property.

The assessments will continue for 20 years.

Council members, who are pleased with the deal, hope it sets a precedent for the rest of Springfield.

"This is a great forward stance," said Councilman John Wylie. "It is a good example of what can happen when people say this is what I really want in my area."

Organizers gathered more than 700 signatures and a majority vote from 600 property owners within the district.

Among them was Councilman Bob Jones. As a member of the neighborhood improvement district, Jones has been a proponent of the land purchase from the onset. He believes it is congruent with Vision 20/20.

Responding to a letter submitted to the city clerk's office questioning if Jones and council member Gary Deaver, a former resident of the area, would realize any personal gain on the deal, Jones told council that "By voting for this I am voting a bunch of money out of my own pocket." Jones and Deaver voted for the bills.

Greenspace LLC and its attorney, Art Haseltine, have until the end of the month to work out a financing deal. Approximately $450,000 is being sought from the private sector. The last reported figure raised was $300,000.

"We're still getting pledges," Haseltine said. "I don't think we've tapped all the sources on it."

Neighborhood improvement district members were hoping the city could contribute as well. However, because no city money was invested in the city's other NID land purchase Parkwood neighborhood's $150,000 deal about 10 years ago requests have fallen on a deaf ear at City Hall.

Landowners Hammons and McLean had intended to build a funeral home and other developments on the property, but public outcry caused council to thwart those plans.

The land purchase would end a seven-year battle for the property. It also would give the city ownership of the land for potential park space.

"As time passes and the city grows beyond its current borders, those that have worked so hard and committed so much in the way of resources in this effort will be recognized for their forward thinking," said Bob Smith, one of the organizers. "This gift will be a legacy for those that follow in our footsteps."

CVB budget

Council considered a $2,295,283 budget for Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, which promotes Springfield as a tourist and conventions destination.

Among the projects slated for the upcoming year are moving CVB offices to Jordan Valley Park Car Park and opening a visitor's center there, as well as remodeling the visitor's center on East Battlefield Road. CVB also plans to retain its airport visitor's center and its Jefferson City sales office to attract more state conventions and meetings, according to the agreement.

If approved, the annual performance contract with the city and CVB will run July 1 through June 30, 2004. CVB is required to submit quarterly reports to the city, detailing the work performed. The city has the right to terminate the contract.

City Manager Tom Finnie said half of the money budgeted comes from the original 2-cent hotel/motel tax, and the other half is generated from its own efforts, including advertising cooperatives.