Hamels Foundation leases space at College Station

The Hamels Foundation Inc., a charity group founded by Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels, and his wife, Heidi, on Oct. 7 signed a lease for space at College Station.

The Springfield-based foundation, currently operating out of an office at 3524 E. Nora St., signed a five-year lease with leasing agent Sperry Van Ness/Rankin Co. LLC to occupy 2,300 square feet on the McDaniel Street side of College Station, said Hamels Foundation Chief Operating Officer Kathleen Dugas, currently the only Springfield employee for the organization.

"We needed a glass storefront," she said, noting the move would allow for passers-by to view TV screens with promotional messages. "Things are moving downtown, and that's where we chose to be."

The Dec. 1 move to the larger space allows the organization to add two Springfield positions - a director of operations and a part-time secretary. The foundation also has a director of operations in Philadelphia.

The foundation will relocate a day before its annual Diamond in the Rough charity poker tournament, which last year raised $10,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks. The event will once again be held at the Knights of Columbus Diamond Room on West Grand Street.

The newest lease for College Station follows a move by Travis Dibben, owner of comedy club and restaurant Nine of Clubs, who signed a lease at the long-vacant development about three months ago. The club, which is partnering with Steak-Out for food offerings, is scheduled to open Dec. 2.

Sperry Van Ness/Rankin became the leasing agent for the $12 million College Station - owned by developer Scott Tillman - earlier this year. The retail and restaurant portion of the downtown development had been vacant since its completion in 2008. Its anchor tenant, Oregon-based Hollywood Theaters, opened College Station Stadium 14 in October 2008. The theater comprises roughly 40,000 square feet of the 135,000-square-foot development, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.

Tim Roth, senior adviser of Sperry Van Ness/Rankin Co. LLC, could not be reached by deadline.[[In-content Ad]]