From the Ground Up: Lew's Fishing Tackle

Owner/developer: Lynn Reeves
General contractor: Morelock-Ross Builders Inc.
Architect: Slone Architects & Interior Designers Inc.
Engineers: Lee Engineering and Associates LLC, civil; Tom Edelman Engineering, structural; and Vandersluis Engineering Inc., mechanical, electrical and plumbing
Size: 58,425 square feet
Estimated cost: $4.8 million, per city building permit
Estimated completion: June 1
Project description: Just north of Partnership Industrial Center, the new Lew’s Fishing Tackle headquarters is triple its current office and designed with a warehouse, retail floor, museum and research and development space, said Andy Ross, the project manager with Morelock-Ross Builders. Lew’s sells fishing rods and reels to such retailers as Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Academy Sports, Cabela’s Inc. and Dick’s Sporting Goods. Built within Springfield’s Enhanced Enterprise Zone, the project qualifies for 50 percent tax abatements on new improvements for 10 years. Lynn Reeves has said the company purchased the 4.75-acre site from Bob Wehr for $550,000. With the move from 2253 E. Bennett St., Lew’s plans to add five employees to its current staff of 26.

Send project info to bbrown@sbj.net.