Matt O’Reilly, sustainability advocate and owner of outdoor gear retailer Dynamic Earth, last night presented plans to Springfield City Council to purchase from the city roughly five acres adjacent to the Shoppes at James River, where South Glenstone Avenue meets East Republic Road. O’Reilly is offering to buy the land from the city as part of his plans for the roughly 12-acre mixed-use development known as Farmer’s Park.
Last night, council unanimously passed a resolution acknowledging receipt of O’Reilly’s answer to a Jan. 17 request for proposal seeking an action plan for the property, which includes a storm-water basin that takes up roughly two acres. O’Reilly said most of the land he would purchase from the city would be green space and separate the development of Farmer’s Park from the nearby neighborhood to the south.
The passage of the resolution paves the way for O’Reilly to purchase the land through his development company – Green Circle Projects LLC – for $430,000, according to Economic Development Director Mary Lilly Smith.
Tom Rankin, developer of the Shoppes at James River, said O’Reilly first discussed project plans with Rankin more than a year ago. Rankin, through his development company, Republic Road LLC, has tentatively agreed on a selling price for the seven-acre stretch between the Hilton Garden Inn and Houlihan’s, though he declined to share the selling price. Rankin said he is working with O’Reilly and city planners to combine and rezone his land with the five acres O’Reilly is trying to buy from the city for Farmer’s Park.
Plans for Farmer’s Park include a central pavilion for the Farmer’s Market of the Ozarks; two residential apartment units, each on top of a level of retail space; an office building; and room for parking.
O’Reilly said April 7 was the first time the market had been held at the Shoppes at James River site. The Saturday market drew 6,000 people, Matt O’Reilly said.
During the meeting last night, council members responded favorably to plans for the development.
“I hope you can pull this off,” Councilman Scott Bailes said. “This is one of the most interesting projects I’ve seen since Bass Pro Shops.”
Ollis & Co. CEO Richard Ollis, the only public speaker to comment on the project, spoke favorably about O'Reilly's development plan.
“This is a rising tide that floats all boats,” Ollis said, adding that the project would both create jobs and increase the tax base.
As part of the resolution, there were several contingencies placed on the close of the sale of the city’s property. The stipulations include: rezoning the tract from single family district to general retail with a conditional overlay district; improving the storm-water basin – which O’Reilly said he would cover if the city reimburses the costs; and amending the existing Community Improvement District to allow additional reimbursable expenses.
For more on this story, check out the April 16 print edition of Springfield Business Journal
This installment of Springfield Business Journal’s Architects & Engineers Project Report showcases 26 endeavors by area design and engineering professionals.
