Economic development comes from revitalization

We look at economic development in a broad sense, as projects that make our community a more livable place.

The traditional model of economic development is attracting new businesses with new jobs. While the city is certainly a partner in that effort with the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and others, we see our value in the types of projects that create community building and support the retention and recruitment efforts by making this a place where people want to live.

Particularly in sought-after industries such as high-tech and health care, we know that prospective employees are much choosier about relocating based on a wide variety of lifestyle factors – not just the jobs themselves.

For the city of Springfield, our economic development sights are set on an expansive view of what will make this a better community and strengthen our base as the state’s third largest metropolitan area.

By this time next year, the holiday movie blockbusters will be playing in downtown Springfield at the College Station development. Those 14 screens will bring thousands of people downtown every week who will be exposed to all of the other restaurants, shops and arts activities already there. Complaints that there is no parking downtown should largely be quieted by the addition of two new parking decks and more surface lot parking west of Park Central Square.

Plans should be well under way for initial renovation work to update the square for new generations to enjoy.

The Heer’s building, once a downtown anchor that has turned into a dead weight impeding redevelopment, is about to set sail again under the helm of St. Louis developer Kevin McGowan, who is keenly interested in the success of the Park Central Square renovations.

The fact that Springfield is reaching a level that attracts high-quality out-of-town interest from people like McGowan was underscored again with the interest in the former arena site next to the Springfield Expo Center. In 2008, development firm Opus Northwest LLC will start construction of a new headquarters for accounting firm BKD, while John Q. Hammons starts on the new Embassy Suites hotel across the street.

The city of Springfield took a hit for some of these projects in the state auditor’s report released in December. While agreeing with the auditor on many of her recommendations, the Springfield City Council has stood firm in its support for the commitments it made to provide infrastructure and foster development opportunities for center city. We think it’s good for business – not only for those who enjoy Center City amenities, but for our entire region – if Springfield’s core is healthy and vibrant.

Some of that redevelopment focus will shift in 2008 to Commercial Street, where property and business owners are considering a tax-increment financing project that can foster revitalization of that historic section of our city.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Crime Lab, scheduled to open in late 2008, isn’t a classic economic development project, but making Springfield a place where citizens can believe the justice system will work in a more timely manner is another community strength.

The same can be said for new Fire Station No. 12, opening in January to serve southeast Springfield residents. This is a great illustration of our role in fostering both core services and community building. Like our other newer fire stations, this one comes with a walking track and community room. And its neighbor on the property will be the new east-side recreation center that will be built in coming years.

Then there are the fun projects coming up in 2008. The Springfield Art Museum will complete its new wing and have even better amenities and new galleries. This project is privately funded by arts supporters who have been donating money for some 15 years to realize this goal.

The Rutledge-Wilson Farm is poised to become a new jewel of the Springfield-Greene County Parks System. While it technically opened at the end of 2007, the farm park will fully bloom with the arrival of spring.

Perhaps this last example also illustrates an increasingly important component of our economic development efforts and one that will move fully into the forefront in 2008. That is the issue of sustainability and the role it will play in making us think hard about how we meet the needs of the present without further shrinking future resources.

We just announced the formation of the Partnership for Sustainability, which is a group comprised of institutional leaders in the Springfield region.

This group intends to lead by example, share its best practices and commit to making Springfield a regional center for sustainability.

The overriding hallmark of 2008 may be a refocusing of our economic development goals to a mission of economic sustainability to ensure that the Springfield we are creating will be a quality place to live for many years to come.

Tom Carlson is the mayor of Springfield. He may be reached at citycouncil@ci.springfield.mo.us.[[In-content Ad]]