Council OKs Kum & Go plan, creative district

Last edited at 3:52 p.m. on Aug. 14, 2013
Springfield City Council unanimously gave West Des Moines, Iowa-based Kum & Go LC approval to build on the northeast corner of Kimbrough Avenue and Battlefield Street at the Aug. 12 city council meeting.

The move rezones 1.44 acres at 777 E. Battlefield Road to a general retail district from an office district, a change approved July 11 by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

During a first reading of the proposal at the July 29 council meeting, Kum & Go representative Josh House said the plans are part of the chain’s efforts to invest $24 million through 2015 in renovations at select convenience stores among its current 46-store footprint in Greene County, according to Springfield Business Journal archives. As of January, the chain's reach included 430 locations in 11 states.

He said the company had been considering upgrades at the nearby 3030 S. Jefferson Ave. store when the more visible office building at 777 E. Battlefield Road became available.

The 14,675-square-foot 777 Office Building, owned  by Griswold Enterprises LLC, is currently 50 percent leased. Tenants include Childer’s Law Firm, staffing company Aerotek. Greene County assessor records place the taxable appraised value of the property at $1.47 million. 

Moon City Creative District

Council also approved a bill allowing city neighborhoods to establish their own live/work overlay districts in residential areas. 

The proposal was prompted by a desire among artists living in the Woodland Heights neighborhood north of Commercial Street to create signage and sell their wares out of their homes. The overlay district is designed for small businesses that operate out of residences. Parameters include structures no larger than 5,000 square feet, with less than half devoted to work space, and businesses that employ up to five.

Woodland Heights residents can now write a formal plan for the 16-block Moon City Creative District.