City takes first steps for Civic Plaza construction

The first steps for Springfield's Civic Plaza began underground last week. Kennedy Contractors Inc. started work to relocate a sanitary sewer line from beneath the government complex parking lot at the southwest corner of Central Street and Jefferson Avenue.

Springfield Developer Bill Jester has selected that ground to construct a six-story, 726-space parking deck. Springfield City Council approved Jester's parking deck and six-story, 215,000-square-foot office complex proposal at its Jan. 13 meeting.

The sewer line will be relocated underneath Central Street and Jefferson Avenue.

"Without moving (the sewer line) to this location it would be under the (Civic Plaza) parking deck," making it difficult for repair and maintenance, said Bob Schaefer, assistant director of Public Works.

Construction, which will cost the city nearly $130,000, is expected to continue through March 21, according to the Public Works office. Jefferson Avenue traffic between Chestnut Expressway and Central Street will be restricted during construction.

Financing

As preliminary construction work begins, Jester continues to work on the financing end of the deal. The total cost of Civic Plaza is expected to be around $30 million. Jester is seeking bonds through the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority.

"The package has not gone in yet, but we don't foresee any problems," Jester said.

Also on Jester's plate are finalization of construction drawings and tenant placement.

"We would like to begin construction in April or May," he said.

As for tenants, Jester said nothing is signed but negotiations are ongoing and include talks with retail and restaurant operators for the office building's ground floor and a major office tenant.

"I would say you're going to really see some progress in the next 30 to 40 days," Jester said.

Office relocations

Once Jester's funding is in place, the city and county have 145 days to get the five government-owned buildings to be razed ready for clearance, said Mary Lilly Smith, Springfield economic development coordinator.

"Right now the ball is in their court. We're waiting for them to notify us that they have their funding in place," she said. "That will start our clock ticking."

In preparation, the city has devised a relocation schedule.

The Springfield-Greene County Health Department's Women Infants and Children Clinic and bioterrorism staff are moving to the Springfield Community Center at 618 N. Benton Ave.; the department's air quality control is relocating to Fire Station No. 6; and the city's purchasing, information systems and solid waste departments are moving into City Hall.

Leaving City Hall is the Fire Administration, which is going to the old Fire Station No. 1.

Smith anticipates the moves occurring in late spring. The razing schedule is not yet known.

Per the developer's agreement, Jester is covering the relocation costs up to $200,000, plus $150,000 for a rent payment at the Springfield Community Center.

Jester is paying the city the appraised value of $760,000 for the five buildings to be razed.