City seeks public feedback on downtown

As part of developing a vision for downtown through the Forward SGF comprehensive plan, the city is inviting the public to participate in a survey.

Factoring in survey results, the Downtown Plan will serve as a guide for land use and development, community facilities, open space and transportation decisions in downtown Springfield, according to a city news release.

The survey, now open to the public, asks respondents to reflect on downtown area visitation, housing, business development, transportation, infrastructure and services, marketing, public environment, and arts and entertainment. It also asks for respondents’ top three priorities for improvement in the downtown area.

“We are now at a critical point in the planning process where we need the community to weigh in and tell us if they agree and share their priorities for the future of the city, as we take the next steps to draft this comprehensive plan,” Principal Planner Randall Whitman said in the release.

The survey link is posted on the Forward SGF website, along with a social mapping tool “to create a map of the key issues, opportunities and assets you experience and/or see in the downtown every day.”

This spring, planners also will seek feedback on four other areas of the city: along East Trafficway, West Chestnut Expressway, North Glenstone Avenue and Lake Springfield.

Forward SGF was started by the city to develop a roadmap for the city’s growth in the next 20 years. Officials anticipate completion by the end of the year.