Forward SGF draft plan released

The city of Springfield and stakeholders released a draft plan of the Forward SGF 20-year comprehensive initiative ahead of an unveiling event scheduled Thursday.

The 242-page plan, available at ForwardSGF.com, lays out 10 key initiatives for the city to tackle over the next two decades. The document will remain a draft plan until approval by Springfield City Council, according to city spokesperson Melissa Haase.

The 10 key initiatives are:
1. Restore SGF neighborhood revitalization, which encourages reinvestment and homeownership in Springfield's neighborhoods
2. Place-based approach, a shift in the city's planning strategy to design with an emphasis on creating quality places to experience
3. Comprehensive city code update, including an overhaul of the city's land development code and ordinances
4. UnGap the map, a reference to expanding and closing gaps in the area's outdoors trail network
5. Entrepreneurial stewardship, an economic development approach to create an environment that assists entrepreneurs, business growth and live/work opportunities
6. Corridor improvements, a beautification of the city's corridors, including improved planning and right-of-way management
7. Neighborhood commercial hubs and planning, an initiative that would form neighborhood commercial hubs that act as activity centers
8. Connecting to nature, which would further leverage Springfield's proximity to the outdoors
9. Growth and annexation plan, which is designed to promote planned, sustainable and responsible growth
10. Regional planning and partnerships, which calls on regional communities to work together to impact issues such as housing growth, roadway improvements and stormwater management

"The development of any community plan, especially one as diverse as this one, depends greatly on one-on-one interaction with residents, elected officials and members of the planning and consulting team," said Randall Whitman, principal planner and Forward SGF project manager, in March.

The city has scheduled a 3-6 p.m. reveal event Thursday at Hammons Field for the public to view the Forward SGF plan, according to a news release.

During the past year-plus, city staff and a hired consultant, Chicago-based Houseal Lavigne Associates LLC, have worked on shaping a preliminary draft of the plan. The planning process for Forward SGF was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to past reporting.