Feds issue $800K for Springfield power plant redevelopment work

CU fundraising for United Way: Winner to detonate power station stacks

The redevelopment of the decommissioned James River Power Station in southeast Springfield is bringing a unique fundraiser to life: Purchase raffle tickets benefiting United Way of the Ozarks for a chance to detonate an implosion of the power station stacks.

Through the campaign dubbed Blasting for the Better, CU and United Way are selling $5 raffle tickets. The winner will have a historic, unique opportunity.

“This is truly that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play a key role in this historic event for Springfield,” said Gary Gibson, CU general manager and CEO, in a news release. “The partnership with United Way has the potential to raise money and bring attention to the work they do plus provide this unique opportunity to our entire community.”

Rachael Walsh, vice president of resource development for United Way, said $6,320 had been raised as of 10:45 a.m. this morning.

"That equates to 1,264 raffle entries at $5 an entry," she said.

The raffle campaign is ongoing at United Way's website through end of day on Feb. 16. A winner is slated to be selected Feb. 17.

"Who else implodes stacks for charity?” said United Way President and CEO Greg Burris, in the release. “For many years, the employees of City Utilities have been leaders in supporting United Way of the Ozarks. This is a unique opportunity for our community, and United Way, again depicts how they continually work to support our community beyond philanthropy and volunteerism."

A schedule for the implosion is scheduled to be released soon.

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The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration is awarding an $800,000 grant for the city of Springfield's work in redeveloping the James River Power Station site.

Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and the EDA's Coal Communities Commitment initiative, the grant is earmarked for project proposals at the decommissioned power plant and the adjacent Lake Springfield area, according to a news release.

"This project will ultimately lead to the creation of a resilient economy that will support the community long into the future by bringing in business and creating good-paying jobs for Missourians," said Alejandra Castillo, assistant secretary of commerce for economic development, in the release.

The site, where the James River Power Station was decommissioned last year, sits on 2,000 acres owned by the city, City Utilities and the Springfield-Greene County Park Board. A number of proposals are being considered for the site, such as removing the dam and letting the water once again flow downstream and using the power plant for recreational activities, according to past reporting.

In a separate news release issued this morning, officials with the city of Springfield said the grant would lead the development of a master plan for the project.

“We are thrilled to receive this funding for what will surely become a transformative project in our community," Springfield City Manager Jason Gage said in the release. "The area has a lot of potential for new amenities for future generations, leveraging the beautiful asset of Lake Springfield and its surrounding nature."

The grant is slated to be matched by $200,000 in local funds, with $100,000 coming from the Hatch Foundation, $60,000 from CU and $40,000 from the city's Environmental Services Department. The Springfield-based Hatch Foundation also recently provided grant funding for developing the Lone Pine Bike Park, according to past reporting.