Overheard

Nearly $2.5 million in improvements to the heavily traveled intersection of Chestnut Expressway and National Avenue are finished. The eight-month project included dual left-turn and right-turn lanes in all four quadrants, new islands and medians, new sidewalks, updated ramps, new crosswalks with pedestrian control, storm-water conveyance and detention enhancements to address flooding, enhanced street lighting and traffic signal upgrades. The city’s eighth-cent transportation sales tax funded the project, which supports center city growth in areas such as Jordan Valley Park and Ozarks Technical Community College, Public Works Director Marc Thornsberry said in the release. Hartman & Co. Inc. was general contractor, and Great River Engineering did the design and engineering. Inspection and project management services were provided by the city’s Department of Public Works Engineering Division and the Missouri Department of Transportation, and Mathews and Associates Inc. did surveying work.

Economic Perspectives

Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s fifth annual Economic Outlook Conference this month will focus on real estate and sustainability issues as well as attracting and developing young professionals. The keynote speaker of the event, scheduled 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Sept. 16 at University Plaza Convention Center, will be Rebecca Ryan, founder and president of Madison, Wis.-based Next Generation Consulting. Ryan will speak about how to attract and develop the next generation of citizens, patrons, employees and customers. She is the author of “Live First, Work Second: Getting Inside the Minds of the Next Generation.” Her firm also conducted the national young professionals survey, in which the chamber participated earlier this year. Also on the agenda are two panel discussions featuring local leaders in the housing and real estate industry and sustainability issues. The conference, sponsored by BKD LLP, Jordan Valley Innovation Center and UMB Bank, is accepting registrants through Sept. 9. For more information or to register, visit www.springfieldchamber.com or call (417) 862-5567.

2008 Tour of Missouri

Approximately 250 volunteers will help move the second stage of the 2008 Tour of Missouri through Springfield on Sept. 9. Professional cyclists race to Springfield via Clinton, the day after the weeklong, statewide event kicks off in St. Joseph and Kansas City. The tour features seven competitive race stages, including an individual time trial Sept. 10 in Branson, before wrapping up Sept. 14 in St. Louis. Bicyclists will cover more than 600 miles. Springfield/Greene County Stage Two volunteer activities include the roles of course marshal, security and medical control support. For more information, go to www.tourofmissouri.com.

Slice of Nice

Bass Pro Shops last month gave away a $42,000 2008 Toyota Sequoia to Robert Smith of Des Moines, Iowa. Smith’s name was selected out of the 400,000 who entered the retailer’s Countdown to Father’s Day contest. Bass Pro Director of Database Marketing Tim Scott presented Smith the keys during an Aug. 22 event outside the Springfield Outdoor World, 1935 S. Campbell Ave.[[In-content Ad]]