“The fever to build common things is intermittent. It comes by fits and spurts. Not so as to roads. Once you come down with it, the fever and fervor continue.”
These words were written by John T. Woodruff (1868–1949), an attorney, businessman and promoter extraordinaire of Ozarks roadways.
His vision for Springfield was exciting. Woodruff built the Sansone, Kentwood and Colonial hotels, Hickory Hills Country Club, and of course, championed Route 66 as “The Mother Road” of America.
The 10-story Woodruff Building that bears his name is prominently located on the corner of St. Louis Street and Jefferson Avenue. It will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year and has been a prominent address for attorneys since the days when the Missouri Court of Appeals resided there.
However, the recent history of the building has been far less glamorous. Its faded teal façade is a dated remnant of a 1950s renovation. The heating and cooling systems are inconsistent at best and the elevators are inoperable. Most of the hundreds of professional men and women who once kept it bustling with activity have moved elsewhere.
The number of times the Woodruff and McDaniel buildings have been advertised to be sold on the courthouse steps during the last two years is greater than the current list of tenants. Regrettably, the owner – Downtown Springfield Properties LLC and its majority owners Brett and Bart Loethen – has not pursued renovation plans for the upgrades that both of these buildings deserve and that our downtown office tenants should expect. Now, it is time for the owner to work with other developers so that these two buildings can receive the true revitalization that has been so beneficial in other downtown properties.
While the Woodruff and McDaniel suffered years of uncertainty and accumulated significant deferred maintenance, the Marx, Holland, Kresge, Mansfield Opera House, Seville, Marquette and Mulholland buildings were renovated. The former MFA mill now has new life with the Jordan Valley Innovation Center. Historic tax credits, university growth and the demand for loft apartments fueled a decade of renovation for many of Woodruff’s neighbors.
One could quickly counter that renovations on that scale – 75,000 square feet – are not for the faint of heart. Look no further than the Heer’s Building for exhibit No. 1.
The most frustrating part of the Woodruff story, though, is that while downtown works so hard to attract and retain quality office tenants, the current owner wasn’t able to fund the minimal services necessary for its loyal and long-term professionals. People should expect a working elevator and moderate temperatures in a multistory office building. Entities cultivate customers and strengthen employee morale by investing in facilities.
Those who are unable to maintain or bring new vitality to important community assets such as the Woodruff Building should work expeditiously to sell or transfer them to those with the means, ability and passion required. Organizations such as the Downtown Springfield Association, Springfield Finance and Development Corp., Urban Districts Alliance, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and the city of Springfield all stand ready to help.
Thankfully, John T. Woodruff’s “fever and fervor” is alive and well in the many developers who are investing in downtown today. Morris and Debbie Dock are renovating the former Wheeler’s Furniture building into a dozen condos, with plans for an urban grocery store on the ground level. Matt Miller Co. is transforming the Mill Street ice house into Missouri State University Art and Design studios and classrooms. A local technology company, Sensory Integration Inc., is expanding into the former Jerry’s Antiques building on South Avenue.
Through the hard work of modern pioneers such as these, the Woodruff Building can once again shine as downtown’s eastern gateway.
Rusty Worley, executive director of Urban Districts Alliance, can be reached at rusty@itsalldowntown.com.
