Downtown’s west side is a story that offers action, compelling characters and suspense.
Four construction crews are taking advantage of the mild winter to transform key projects.
Brewery District Flats towers over the former Menzie’s auto repair yard. Its 25 lofts and 4,000 square feet of commercial space are the core of a $2.4 million project. Co-developed by Christine Chanter, one of the six investors who purchased Springfield Brewing Co., it is scheduled to open by mid-summer.
City Utilities’ new $5 million bus transfer station is on track to open in early May. It will usher in a new era in public transportation for Springfield and comes in at three times the size of the current station. It is strategically located within a few blocks of Park Central Square, IDEA Commons, the West Central Neighborhood and West Meadows.
Across the street, the former Watershed Committee of the Ozarks building has been razed, and the site is covered by a temporary tent that conjures an alien landing scene. The $7.3 million brownfields cleanup will remove contaminants from industrial uses in the Jordan Valley area over the past 150 years. The work will enable the site to be used for a yet-to-be-determined purpose.
Just around the corner, the retail space in the first floor of the College Station Car Park is being prepped for new tenants. Equality Healthcare, with its three primary care physicians and new membership model, moved across from the Calaboose in December. Calgaro’s, a 3,200-square-foot pizza place, is scheduled to open later this spring as the anchor for the northwest corner. It will be the first restaurant by Allen Brown and Tony Rank, who also own Martha’s Vineyard downtown. The remainder of the space will be white-boxed to accommodate multiple prospects currently under discussion. The construction is a welcome sign to a project long delayed by the Great Recession.
The west side’s compelling character is represented in its distinctive breweries and walkability.
Springfield Brewing Co. opened in 1997 by Paul Mueller Co. as a showplace for its stainless steel, and it became a pioneer downtown brewery and restaurant.
Mother’s Brewing Co. vaulted onto the scene in 2010 with the purchase of the Interstate Brands bread factory at Grant and College. It quickly became one of the fastest-growing craft breweries in the country. Its backyard is a favorite for festivals, outdoor movies and just hanging out on weekends.
Missouri Spirits opened in 2014 as Springfield’s first and only spirits house. It produces a variety of whiskeys and vodka and features an event center with 4,000 square feet for groups of up to 150.
The aforementioned Brewery District Flats will strengthen the pedestrian connections between these venues and enhance the area as a vibrant hub of sociability for coveted young professionals. With a Walk Score of 87, it is one of the most walkable in southwest Missouri. The city’s average Walk Score is 35, and it’s labeled as a “car-dependent city” on WalkScore.com. The historical character of the area takes center stage in August as part of the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival.
Pretty impressive for the buckle of the Bible Belt. Yet, there are significant storylines yet to be written.
How can the renovation of Rubenstein’s serve as a catalyst for the intersection of Campbell and College? Thane Kifer purchased two buildings that previously housed Remington’s Downtown and the Gathering Tree. The visible corner has the potential to be a difference maker for the west side.
What will the future hold for the C&C Floorcovering site? The 1.6-acre parcel just west of Regal theaters and north of Brew Co. is currently on the market and represents the biggest footprint available for developers. Will it follow the recent trends for housing geared for students and young professionals? Would an employer have a vision for creating a new site for its team? Or will it be geared to empty nesters, who also appreciate proximity to beverages, sidewalk cafes and the arts? Heer’s developer Jim Nichols of Dalmark Development Group noted that demographic was on the radar screen for its next Springfield project.
Finally, can downtown build on the momentum of the new bus transfer station, job creation and density of multifamily housing to encourage investments in transportation-oriented development? This is one of the few areas for the region uniquely positioned to demonstrate more sustainable living and working.
Downtown’s west side story will be fun to watch in 2016. Stay tuned for the opening nights, savor the tastes and history, and imagine securing a role in shaping its next chapter.
Rusty Worley, executive director of Downtown Springfield Association, can be reached at rusty@itsalldowntown.com.
