Opinion: An open letter to downtown dreamers

A decade in the making, City Utilities’ new $4.4 million, nearly 6,000-square-foot bus transfer facility at 211 N. Main Ave. is a win for CU, a win for downtown and most importantly a win for residents who rely on public transit every day. And by the time this ink hits the paper, it will be up and operational.

The old downtown bus transfer station on the other hand is ugly. It’s been described as drab, cramped and utilitarian – and that’s putting it nicely. But like any fixer-upper, it has possibility.

At 300 Park Central West, the 0.35-acre tract is narrow, stretching across to McDaniel Street. CU’s move leaves the door of possibility open not only for that third of an acre, but also for its neighbors. In conversation with Downtown Springfield Association Executive Director Rusty Worley, we talked about its potential impact on development of the adjacent Woolworth and Newberry buildings. Tucked into the southwest corner of Park Central Square, the Newberry is the last remaining eyesore on the square. Owned by Springfield’s Morris family – yes, the Morris family of Bass Pro Shops’ fame – the 42,000-square-foot building is begging for redevelopment. Maybe this is just the catalyst Johnny Morris needs to pull the trigger on something spectacular.

CU will accept bids for purchase after it works out the kinks with the Federal Transit Administration money involved, but that will take months.

The door of possibility is open for anyone willing to bravely walk though it.

Emily Letterman is Springfield Business Journal’s features editor and audience development director. She can be reached at eletterman@sbj.net