City solicits contractor bids for Jordan Creek daylighting project

The city of Springfield has started soliciting contractor bids for the Jordan Creek daylighting project.

Bids for the first phase of the Renew Jordan Creek initiative are being accepted through 2 p.m. on Sept. 18, according to a news release. Bidding information is available on the city's website.

"Phase I of the project will uncover 1,100 feet of the creek and restore it to a more natural state in an area roughly located north of Water Street between Boonville and Main avenues," city officials said in the release. "Although the project is intended to contribute to significant reductions in flooding, it is also anticipated to serve as an urban amenity and catalyst for further private redevelopment of the area."

The first phase is being bid out in two parts, with city officials citing funding source and permitting requirements.

The first part is the primary creek daylighting located between Boonville and Main avenues and Mill and Water streets. It includes excavation of more than 38,000 cubic yards of soil, as well as sanitary sewer main improvements, installation of civic plaza spaces and greenway trail segments, and Americans with Disabilities Act compliant improvements, according to the release.

The second part includes box culvert improvements, as well as sewer main improvements and the reinstallation of existing parking lot pavements.

City officials have previously said Renew Jordan Creek has funding sources tallying around $29 million. What will be funded is an open stream bed with native plantings and wildlife for the creek that was regarded as a nuisance and buried a century ago.