Ozarks Profile

Project specialist, city of Springfield Planning and Development, 840 Boonville Ave. Oversees construction and prevailing wage inspections and documentation required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the city of Springfield to use federal funding for rehabilitation of rental, facade and small-business loan programs. These programs for designated areas were approved by City Council in 1986 as an incentive to help stabilize and improve north central neighborhoods and business districts. Webb began working under contract status for the city when these programs were in their infancy and was employed full-time in 1988.

Age: 47.

No. of years in Springfield/area: 21.

Education: Parkwood High School, Joplin; Missouri Southern State College; Southwest Missouri State University, degree in drafting and design and construction management.

Early career: Webb's first job was working after school and on Saturdays in his father's business, cleaning cars. When he was in college at Missouri Southern in Joplin, he worked for a machine shop. Webb worked 12 years as a carpenter on residential, commercial and industrial projects that included all phases of construction. He helped construct 50 duplexes in Columbia and box culverts in Fort Still, Okla., and was a foreman for a local residential building contractor. Since he started his work with the city, Webb has been involved in many rehabilitation projects, such as the Walnut Street Bed & Breakfast, The Ollis Building, Parkie's Stained Glass Apartments and the 36-unit Chaparral Apartments. Such renovation projects have helped enhance and stabilize the city, Webb said. "I have also worked with a lot of skilled, knowledgeable individuals in this area that make the challenges encountered with redevelopment more enjoyable," Webb said. He is on the Redevelopment Review Team for the city. He has also worked with Ozark Greenways, Vision 20/20 and with interns from the cooperative education department at SMSU.

Current projects: Is currently working on the Sherman Avenue area, where two single-family residential homes have been completed and are helping the neighborhood eliminate substandard properties and encourage others to fix up their own properties, Webb said. The new facade work at 311-313 Park Central East and 309-313 S. Jefferson is "helping preserve two great-looking buildings in center city," Webb said. Webb's department is also working with a developer on eight single-family homes and two duplex projects on State Street and Kansas Avenue which will "improve the west side neighborhood and provide safe, affordable housing," Webb said.

Management philosophy: "Assisting the community with redevelopment requires comprehensive planning, team work and performance-minded people."

Spare-time pursuits: Contracting a new home for his family that he hopes to move in to by his birthday in June; restoring an old tractor; and "trying to install a volume control on my three boys," Webb said.

Family data: Is married to Andrea and has three sons: James Dylan, 6; Avery Michael, 5; and Loren Reid, 4.

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