Preliminary plans for square go up for public review

The event is scheduled for 5–7 p.m. Nov. 29 at Hagerman New Urbanism, 122 Park Central Square.

Local architecture firm Butler, Rosenbury & Partners is leading the project’s public input process, which has drawn feedback from 750 people so far, according to a city news release. The firm on Thursday will display its preliminary recommendations based on that feedback.

Working with BRP is New York-based Project for Public Spaces and a technical committee comprised of stakeholders from Springfield City Council, city staff, City Utilities, Heer’s, Urban Districts Alliance, Community Improvement District and Downtown Springfield Association.

BRP and Project for Public Spaces are scheduled to present final recommendations to council in January. Phase I construction should begin next summer.

The city has about $1 million in grant funding for square improvements. About $150,000 has been spent on the city’s contract with BRP.

To date, public and private investment in center city, either completed or planned, totals $251.5 million, according to the release. City and federal funds represent 15.5 percent of that, private investment makes up 46.2 percent and Missouri State University investment makes up 38.3 percent.