On the Street

Copies of the 2006 Official Springfield Visitors Guide are available this month from the Convention & Visitors Bureau for attractions, restaurants, hotel front desks and hotel rooms. The CVB is contacting industry partners to determine how many guides are needed. The CVB’s 2006 Meeting Facilities Guide, Hotel-Motel Coupon Book and Adventure Savings Passport will be available soon. To request copies of CVB publications, call April Clarke at (417) 881-5300.

Chestnut Crossing tenants

Chestnut Crossing developer Paul Larino has announced that Kentucky Fried Chicken and Liberty Bank are the first tenants in his development at the southeast corner of Chestnut Expressway and West Bypass.

The development, which is within a community improvement district, requires upgraded lighting, streetscapes and sidewalks, and a portion of the sales tax from retail sales goes to reimburse Larino for improvements.

Ken Schwab of Wilhoit Properties represented the buyer/ investor in the purchase of the two parcels of land and two additional parcels that are now available for sale or build-to-suit leases.

No deal for Rev. Rice

During a Jan. 4 meeting with representatives of Springfield’s Department of Building Development Services, the Rev. Larry Rice expressed interest in obtaining the Social Security Building at 806 N. Jefferson to provide homeless services.

Mayor Tom Carlson has stated that he could not support the request because the building is not zoned for such use. The city will, however, work with New Life officials if they want to establish homeless services in a location that meets city requirements.

Rice continues to pursue the Social Security building and received a change-of-use application so that he could begin addressing zoning issues.

Slice of Nice

Bill Woody of Marshall Waters Woody Architects & Planners has provided the gift of initial architectural planning for Ronald McDonald House Charities’ second location, which will be built within St. John’s Hospital’s maternal/child unit once the hospital’s new patient tower is complete. Most of the funding for the Ronald McDonald House at St. John’s will come from public contributions.

This isn’t the first time Woody and his firm have helped the organization; they gifted the planning of the original Ronald McDonald House, 949 E. Primrose, in 1985. Ronald McDonald House provides families with a place to stay when a child is hospitalized.

The new 10-bedroom house will be open around-the-clock and will be jointly operated by RMHC and St. John’s, with help from community volunteers. For information on room sponsorships or other giving opportunities, call RMHC President and CEO Bonnie Keller at (417) 875-3503.