Mayor's option may move 2nd industrial park, delay selection

by Karen E. Culp

SBJ Staff

An Oct. 12 proposal by the mayor to place a second partnership industrial center in the R-12 School District may slow down the park's overall development, some participants say.

"I'm just afraid this will affect the overall timeline for the development of the new center. We're in a situation now where the first park is almost completely sold out and we need to act now to get another park in place," said Chris Nattinger, who serves as chair of the Board of Public Utilities' Economic Development Committee.

The partners in a proposed second partnership industrial park development were poised to consider a site recommendation Oct. 12. Following an announcement by the mayor, the partners now have to consider a whole lot more.

The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Springfield Building and Development Corporation, city and City Utilities participated in development of the Partnership Industrial Center six years ago. Oct. 12, those partners heard the development corporation's recommendation for a site for a second park.

The development corporation's proposed site, about 318 acres at the corner of Mulroy Road and Kearney Street, is not inside the Springfield R-XII Public School District. Mayor Lee Gannaway has repeatedly said it is his priority to place the park in the Springfield school district