Development, redevelopment continues in 2002

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Thanks to the citizens of Springfield and support from the state and federal governments, the city will fulfill a number of commitments to the community and embark upon more plans for pro-gress during the year ahead.|ret||ret||tab|

Capital improvements ranging from streets to stormwater issues, downtown redevelopment and new parks and recreation projects are all on the city's 2002 agenda following the community's re-sounding support at the ballot box last year.|ret||ret||tab|

But first, as a portion of the Law Enforcement Sales Tax draws to a close this spring, the city will complete several projects that address public safety as one of the community's top priorities. |ret||ret||tab|

First, we'll kick off the new year with the grand opening in early January of Fire Station No. 1, which represents a new community facility for the South-west Missouri State University and Phelps Grove neighborhoods, as well as improved public safety service. |ret||ret||tab|

We'll break ground for another new fire station No. 8, which will be built on Scenic Avenue south of Bennett Street to serve west Springfield. And the new South District Station/Fire Station No. 6 at Battlefield and Cox roads is expected to open by year's end. |ret||ret||tab|

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Downtown redevelopment|ret||ret||tab|

It's been exciting to see the public and private investment pay off in new facilities, new businesses and new people visiting downtown in the past few years. |ret||ret||tab|

That momentum will continue to build this year as Jordan Valley Park progresses.|ret||ret||tab|

In May, we will open the phase I park just east of the Jordan Valley Ice Park, which has drawn many thousands of people downtown since it opened in Sep-tember. The new park holds the promise of many outdoor activities with its am-phitheater, greenway trail, Missouri hills and open spaces. We look forward to the synergy it creates with both the Ice Park and the nearby Discovery Center.|ret||ret||tab|

The city also anticipates breaking ground by late winter or spring on the parking deck to serve the new exposition center across the street from the park and ice park. The exposition center and the renovated trade center will provide an important economic engine for Jordan Valley Park in drawing trade shows, large events and out-of-town visitors to center city.|ret||ret||tab|

Thanks to the efforts of Missouri's congressional delegation, the city won federal funding for land acquisition, streetscape improvements, police and fire training equipment, and an ecosystem study. The arts community is moving forward with plans to develop the former Creamery Building, due to state approval of $2 million in tax credits. |ret||ret||tab|

Capital improvements|ret||ret||tab|

New projects across the city will get started, and in many cases completed, this year as a result of voter renewal in February 2001 of the quarter-cent sales tax for capital improvements and the lev-el property tax. New projects include: |ret||ret||tab|

Intersection improvements at Fre-mont Avenue and Republic Road; Glen-stone Avenue and Kearney Street; Kan-sas Expressway and Battlefield Road; and Kansas Expressway and Sunshine Street. |ret||ret||tab|

The widening of Norton Road be-tween Summit and National avenues. |ret||ret||tab|

West Bypass improvements between Kearney Street and Chestnut Express-way. |ret||ret||tab|

Stormwater improvements in Upper Galloway and North Jordan Creek from Division to Blaine streets. |ret||ret||tab|

Sewer improvements from Campbell Avenue to James River Freeway; |ret||ret||tab|

Jones Spring trunk sewer south; |ret||ret||tab|

MM/Interstate 44 and James River Freeway/Sunshine sewer line; |ret||ret||tab|

Pierson Creek Extension Phase II; and Spring Branch Trunk Sewer. |ret||ret||tab|

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Parks system|ret||ret||tab|

In November 2001, despite the economic uncertainty and national tragedy we faced, Greene County residents elected to stake a claim on the county's future with a $50 million program to acquire new park and greenway property and in-vest in new recreational facilities.|ret||ret||tab|

The City-County Parks Department is moving quickly to negotiate the purchase of several properties that will assure generations to come of green, open spaces within a short distance of their homes. |ret||ret||tab|

The year ahead will bring construction of the Northview Senior Center development, improvements to parks across the county, progress on Dickerson Park Zoo's master plan and a youth pitch-and-putt facility at Rivercut Golf Course.|ret||ret||tab|

We look forward to living up to our commitment to working with the community on these projects and many more in 2002. |ret||ret||tab|

(Tom Finnie is the city manager of Springfield.)[[In-content Ad]]