Downtown revitalization continues at strong pace

During the last five years there has been a renewed interest in renovating older buildings and improving the public infrastructure in downtown Springfield. Many think the process began with the recommendations of Vision 20/20, the citizen based long-range plan that started in 1994.

When it came to downtown discussions, the consensus of the 350-member group was to bring downtown back to being a vibrant, clean, safe and friendly area. These citizens recognized that downtown belongs to all of us and its focused community infrastructure and significant tax base should not continue to deteriorate.

Of course, the idea of a centrally located park or open space for the community to gather in and call our own was also a product of their vision. The passage of the increased hotel-motel tax in February 1998 provided the funds to begin what is now called Jordan Valley Park. The park will eventually cover more than 200 acres from National Avenue to Kansas Expressway through the downtown area of Springfield.

Phase I of Jordan Valley Park was completed this spring and includes an ice arena and a 12-acre greenspace with paths, trails, promenade, amphitheater and a water feature. As an expansion of phase I, plans are in place for the adjoining exposition center, arena, parking deck and baseball stadium.

The underlying goal of all of this effort was to spur private development. City building permit records indicate that from 1996 to May 2001, more than $10 million in renovation permits were issued. Probably the highest among these, and possibly the impetus for much of the new downtown entertainment and restaurant facilities, is the Springfield Brewing Company, a division of the Paul Mueller Company.

The Springfield Brewing Company did an excellent job of renovating an old, long-neglected building into an exciting interesting place.

In the past year, almost $2 million in renovation permits have been issued by the city for work in the downtown area. Many of these projects have already been completed. Several new restaurants, retail stores and loft apartments have been completed along Campbell Avenue.

South Avenue and Walnut Street, the focus of downtown dining and entertainment, also have seen new facilities completed or nearing completion during the last year.

Still in the planning stages are the Heer's Building, Sterling Hotel and Seville Hotel. The new owners of two larger office buildings in downtown Springfield the McDaniel and Woodruff buildings also have indicated significant renovations will soon begin for their properties.

In the not-for-profit area, the Discovery Center and the Gillioz Theater are both discussing plans to complete renovations of their facilities.

The most significant change in the use of many buildings being renovated is the focus on living spaces for the above-ground floors. While most of these were originally used for office space, the new trend is for loft or "open space" apartments. There are now more than 50 such lofts in the downtown area with that many new ones set to be completed in the near future. Developers are finding these residential spaces are in great demand and rent at rates above those for the normal apartment market for Springfield.

Most of the redevelopers are structuring their renovations to take advantage of tax credits and low-interest loans to make their projects economically feasible. The city of Springfield also works with the developers to approve plans for older buildings that aren't as restrictive as for new buildings, yet don't compromise public health and safety.

All of this adds up to a renewed spirit and enthusiasm for downtown Springfield. In 1996, no one could have predicted the $12 million in private renovation permits downtown has had issued.

In the same vein, no one can accurately predict what we will see in the next five years. The best is yet to come!