City seeks public input for downtown square upgrade

First up is a public workshop scheduled for 5:30–8 p.m. Sept. 13, at Wellington Place, on the second floor of the Jim D. Morris Building on Park Central East, next to Gillioz Theatre.

Project architect Butler, Rosenbury & Partners Inc. will lead the workshop with representatives from Project for Public Spaces – a New York-based nonprofit organization that works with cities to create inviting public spaces. They will give a brief overview of the square’s history and then divide attendees into small groups; the groups will be asked to summarize their discussions for the full group at the end of the workshop.

Attendees should plan to commit for the full meeting length, according to a city news release. A light dinner will be served.

Attendees need to R.S.V.P. by 5 p.m. Sept. 10 by calling Urban Districts Alliance at (417) 831-6200.

The workshop is part of a daylong community involvement process that also includes meetings with a series of focus groups from area colleges and universities, youth groups, destination venues east of the square, churches traditionally identified with downtown, and new businesses on or near the square.

In addition, the public is invited to make comments about the square project at Cider Days on Walnut Street, Sept. 15–16, and Taste of Springfield downtown, Oct. 6. A public survey also will be available Sept. 15 at www.itsalldowntown.com.

Working with Butler, Rosenbury & Partners on the project is a technical committee that comprises stakeholders from city staff, City Council, City Utilities, the Heer’s building, UDA, the Community Improvement District and Downtown Springfield Association.

Butler, Rosenbury & Partners and Project for Public Spaces are expected to have draft design options ready for public review by early November, according to the release. A final design should be finished in January.

The city has about $1 million in grant funding for square improvements. The project is part of an agreement with St. Louis developer McGowan|Walsh, the firm picked to redevelop the Heer’s building on the square.