Jack Henry plans Springfield campus

Documents filed with the Planning and Development office indicate that the publicly traded banking software company (Nasdaq: JKHY) intends to develop a Springfield campus, similar to its sprawling Monett headquarters.

Springfield Planning and Zoning Commission approved the project May 17, according to Planning and Development Director Ralph Rognstad, and City Council will review the plan during a June 4 public hearing.

Council could vote on the project June 18.

Jack Henry is proposing a 550,000-square-foot office complex in four phases. With City Council approval, construction would likely begin in early 2008, and an approximately 145,000-square-foot building would be complete by mid-2009, according to Planned Development No. 320.

Jack Henry, established in 1976, has 45 offices nationwide employing more than 3,400. About 200 employees work in Springfield, where the company has had a physical presence for about 10 years. It currently leases a combined 40,000 square feet of office space at 2143 E. Primrose St. and 3331 E. Montclair St., Ste. C.

“We see a future need of space beyond what Springfield lease space can provide us,” said Scott Whisman, general manager of corporate services for Jack Henry. “That’s how come we’ve gone the route to build our own.”

Whisman said it’s too early to disclose employment projections for the proposed campus or how much it would cost to build the campus.

“Any number that I would give would just be totally poppycock,” he said.

“There are so many things to have to put together that could sway the cost literally by millions of dollars.”

Allen Casey of The Casey Associates has been selected as project architect, but a general contractor and other construction parties haven’t been hired yet.

“It’s great for Springfield to have a company of that caliber here with such a major investment,” said Casey, who also designed four of Jack Henry’s nine buildings on its 130-acre Monett campus. “In my opinion, Springfield is possibly a bit unique for a city this size for having as few regional office facilities (like this). … It will really be a great boost for the economy.”

Casey said site selection began in April 2006. He said designs are “very preliminary,” though they should be finalized in a couple of months. Plans call for heavy landscaping with water features and walking trails and brick and stone buildings, which Casey said would complement their surroundings.

Purchase of the land on the corner of Battlefield and Blackman roads from Larry and Penny Childress is not contingent on City Council approval, Whisman said.

The purchase could close within 90 days, he added.

The land was zoned for retail in 1999, but no project ever got off the ground.

Andrea Croley, who owns a one-acre parcel that would be surrounded on three sides by the Jack Henry development, said she’s “thrilled” about the plans. Croley and her husband, Tom, were among 21 attendees at a neighborhood meeting held March 8 at Rodizio Brazilian Grill.

Croley said other neighbors, including those who live in The Terraces across the street, also supported the plans.

“I think they’re going to be a great partner for everybody there,” said Andrea Croley, co-owner of Croley Insurance and Financial, 3705 E. Battlefield Road.

Battlefield Road stretching to Blackman Road would have to be expanded to at least three lanes to accommodate an estimated increase in traffic volume to about 13,000 cars per day from nearly 9,000 cars per day. The plans don’t call for a traffic signal to be added at Blackman Road, but there may be a signal added just west of there at Woodstock Avenue.

Developer Lee McLean said the Jack Henry development would positively impact him, as well. He owns 17 acres on the corner of Battlefield and U.S. 65 that sits adjacent to the proposed campus. McLean said he plans to build a mixed-use commercial project on his land next year, and the increased traffic would help.

“I’d have to think Jack Henry would make an impact wherever they went,” McLean said.

Jack Henry is led by CEO Jack Prim and has more than 5,900 financial institution customers. Jack Henry hit a record $592.2 million in revenue in 2006.[[In-content Ad]]