Placemaking Gets Prioritized in SGF (Sponsored Content)

A recent visit to The Ozark Mill at Finley Farms left Richard Ollis in awe: “Everything from the barrel ceilings, to the beautiful patio overlooking the river, to the historical pictures and riverside fireplace,” he says, “it causes you to have an emotional connection to the place.”

Ollis, a Springfield City Council member and CEO of Ollis/Akers/Arney Insurance and Business Advisors, says having that strong emotional connection is a key factor in successful placemaking.

“I think the real litmus test is, when you experience some place like that, do you then invite friends and relatives back with you, to also experience it?”

Around Springfield, there are multiple development areas that hit Ollis’ litmus test, including Cherry and Pickwick in Rountree, the Grant Avenue Parkway and Commercial Street’s ongoing revitalization. While some are city planned and others are privately developed, a common theme is that they are enhancing Springfield’s quality of place.

In 2019, Springfield City Council decided to include “quality of place” as a top priority, and the effort has emerged in the city’s new comprehensive plan, Forward SGF, and in the hiring of Tim Rosenbury as the city’s director of quality of place initiatives.

Rosenbury says city officials knew they needed someone in the role who would drive to work thinking about “quality of place,” and then go home still thinking about it.

“My role is inherently collaborative,” he says. “I work with street crews who are planning on some maintenance or planting landscaping work in the public right-of-way, all the way up to talking policy and procedure on private-sector developments. I’m also involved in design leadership for certain Public Works projects, and that includes architectural.”

With the momentum building, Springfield still has some obstacles to overcome.

“Quality of place is becoming the driving force behind developments and decisions made in our community,” Ollis says, but notes Springfield can sometimes stand in its own way while making big changes.

He points to Greenville, South Carolina, as an example that made bold decisions to enhance its downtown.

An old textile community, Greenville’s economy started to deteriorate, prompting city leaders to look at its downtown and implement a quality-of-place initiative. Ollis says the once-declining city is now a tech hub with diverse industry and high-paying jobs.

“The Springfield average household income is around $40,000, but there it’s double,” Ollis says, citing in large part the placemaking successes.

Greenville, he says, had a stream and waterfall in its downtown that had become overgrown and covered up. Additionally, a four-lane highway ran straight through downtown.

“This was controversial,” Ollis says, “but they took the highway and made it two lanes with huge sidewalks, with plantings, trees and public art.” The result transformed the area from “a concrete place where nobody wanted to be, into this beautiful oasis in the middle of the city,” he says.

Springfield, through community input and Forward SGF, is starting to incorporate similar bold decisions. Ollis says the planned daylighting of Jordan Creek could have a similar impact like Greenville’s efforts to create new desirable and attractive downtown spaces.

Rosenbury, who started his role in early 2020, just before offices moved to remote work during the pandemic, says he feels a bit behind on what he had hoped to achieve two years in. There is a silver lining, he says: “It forced a lot of people to think about what matters most in life, and in their community,” he says of the pandemic. “Livability became a hot issue and will continue to be, post-pandemic.”

Rosenbury says walkability within the city has become a focal point.

“When we build or rebuild a major street, we’re going to put a 10-foot wide sidewalk on at least one side of the street,” he says. “That becomes a multipurpose trail for walkers and bikers, plus improves connectivity and accessibility for all citizens.”

Having these areas in town that make community members pause and take a deeper look aligns with Ollis’ vision of successful placemaking.

“There’s something about the Ozarks that is really special,” he says. “We have so much right in our own backyard. If we’ll just continue to support the vision and be collaborative, there are so many good things ahead for us.”

This content is brought to you by Ollis/Akers/Arney Insurance & Business Advisors.