Downtown gains momentum with business owners

Going downtown for office space is increasingly more popular with Springfield business owners. Newly renovated office spaces in the historic downtown buildings are drawing business professionals, those who don't want a "square box" office space, said Bill Compere, executive director of the Urban Districts Alliance.

"I think we're seeing a lot of young computer and technical firms, advertising agencies, architects those in the category of creative in all different kinds of ways," said Sam Freeman, president of Center City Development Co. "It's a good fit with the atmosphere and culture of a downtown that attracts artistic, creative people and cultural attractions. That's part of what a downtown is."

Freeman and Compere agree that the newly renovated office spaces are filling quickly. Compere pointed out that Class A office space is limited right now. However, he expects that to change as redevelopment continues.

Freeman said empty buildings will fill up quickly once they're remodeled.

Renovated office space is what Compere called a "key component for continued inner-city development," along with renovated residential loft spaces.

"One of the biggest problems downtown is that people who have some of the old buildings don't do anything to them, and still think the buildings are worth a lot of money. They ruin downtown for everybody," said Jeff Schrag, publisher of The Daily Events. Schrag recently doubled his company's square footage by moving to a renovated building at 310 W. Walnut Street. Prior to the move, The Daily Events was housed in the John W. Williams Building at 301 W. Walnut.

Schrag said the best thing for downtown Springfield is for people to keep their buildings in top condition.

"More and more buildings are owned by good people who actually are doing something to keep the buildings up," Schrag said.

Downtown adventure

A new downtown business resident is Great Adventure Architects Inc., which moved into the John. W. Williams Building.

Architect Joseph Dungan said the company selected the downtown location for "good coffee, convenient location, great office space, and the added benefit of all the local restaurants."

Having lived in Kansas City and worked downtown there, Dungan knew he enjoyed that environment. He said it is very convenient for working with consultants and encourages those relationships. The downtown has "a lot of entertainment, activity, excitement and energy," said Dungan.

Neighborhood atmosphere is one of the biggest reasons Freeman thinks people want downtown office space.

"No place else can you walk out of your office at noon and to a restaurant for lunch, see people you know, and art galleries along the way. The downtown atmosphere isn't available in major office complexes," Freeman said.

Dungan said "a ton of foot traffic" goes by the office. While Great Adventure Architects Inc., doesn't depend on foot traffic, he finds it "more engaging with the public" than their previous location.

Parking

Parking is one issue that draws concern when office space downtown is considered.

"Number one, I think any complaining about parking is just stupid," Schrag said. "There are businesses that thrive downtown and are packed with people. There is more than adequate parking.

"Two, as far as to be successful, it takes the same thing here as for being successful anywhere. I think there's some kind of weird perception that if a business is successful downtown, that's weird."

While parking may not always be available right in front of a specific store, Compere said there is a lot of public and private parking space.

"We have customer parking; the real problem is where people who work down here want to park," Compere said. "There has to be an adjustment in attitude. They may have to walk a few blocks, but it's probably not as far as they would have to walk if they worked at the Battlefield Mall."

There is some thought going into the parking issue, Compere said.

"We are looking at free or low-cost shuttle system that might be available in the next few years," Compere said.

The discussions over parking issues are welcomed, however, because that means people are using downtown.

"It's great to see all the activity, because activity breeds activity," said Schrag.