Event venue in early stages along Grant Avenue Parkway

A Bolivar real estate development and investment firm is behind plans for a new event venue that’s in the early stages in downtown Springfield.

Drew Kifer, managing director of Pinecone Holdings LLC, said a multipurpose event space is in the works at 465 S. Grant Ave. The building previously housed South Side Baptist Church, which relocated last year to Mission University at 628 E. Kearney St. 

"While some prospective buyers might have demolished the church for wholesale redevelopment, we found the building in such good condition that we wanted to preserve it if feasible. That remains our preference, though final use will depend on upcoming feasibility and structural studies," Kifer said via email. "Our vision for the building is a multipurpose space that can host church services, corporate events, concerts, weddings and community gatherings."

Kifer declined to estimate a timeline for the project, noting the work "is delayed while we navigate a ​serious family health issue."

Greene County Assessor records list Pinecone Developments LLC as the owner of the 32,139-square-foot property on 1.45 acres. Pinecone owns multiple downtown Springfield properties, including land at Grant Avenue and Walnut Street. That site is located near the planned event venue space and is in the works for future redevelopment plans, Kifer said. He noted proceeds of South Side Baptist Church’s sale of the building to Pinecone are helping to further the church’s mission.

Springfield City Council voted 8-0 on Aug. 11 in favor of a retail liquor license for Pinecone Developments related to the 465 S. Grant Ave. property. The liquor license required special council permission because it’s within 200 feet of a Springfield Public Schools property.

"I would just note that this developer, I think, did everything right – spoke with the neighborhood in advance of bringing an application forward, received a letter of support from the neighborhood association and is proposing a pretty innovative adaptive reuse of a building that's right in the heart of West Central," Councilmember Brandon Jenson said just prior to the vote.

Kifer said Pinecone "pursued licensure early to ensure the concept could succeed."

"We engaged the West Central Neighborhood Alliance before approaching City Council, and their formal support of the project has been invaluable in aligning it with community goals," he said. "With licensure secured, we’ll proceed with the next phase of planning."