City seeks feedback on use of C-Street TIF funds

The city of Springfield is holding an open house next month to gather public feedback on the use of tax increment financing funds along Commercial Street.

The 5-6:30 p.m. meeting on March 3 at Drury on C-Street Art Gallery, 233 E. Commercial St., will give attendees the chance to weigh in on two planned projects and their designs, which total more than a half-million dollars in TIF funds, according to a news release.

Construction is scheduled to start this summer on a $400,000 project to make improvements to Dr. Tickle Alleyway, located between Campbell and Boonville avenues; C-Street Market Alleyway, between Roberson and Jefferson avenues; and a public parking lot at Blaine Street and Jefferson Avenue. Preliminary designs were shown at an open house in September 2019, and construction is expected to start this summer.

Residents also are being asked to discuss plans for $150,000 in entryway signs approved by Springfield City Council in December 2019.

“We need guidance from C-Street on what this new signage should look like,” Springfield Economic Development Director Sarah Kerner said in the release. “Input on construction style, materials and lighting will all be used to create design concepts that will be brought back to the community for further discussion.”

City spokeswoman Kristen Milam said via email the meeting represents the first outreach to residents for the signage.

The C-Street TIF was enacted in June 2009 with the purpose of recruiting and retaining businesses to the district, marketing, landscaping and cleaning parking lots and sidewalks, Springfield Business Journal previously reported.