Project to bring historical theme to south

French Quarter Plaza, a new commercial development at 1600 E. Republic Road, should be ready for tenants just after the first of the year, according Bill Jester, the project's developer. Jester, the president of Resource Development Inc., said excavation of the property in preparation for construction began about a month ago.

Jester, a self-described history buff, said the main thing about French Quarter Plaza that will lend itself to the New Orleans' French Quarter theme, is ambiance.

"What you're going to see there is a plaza, in front of the central building. Paver stones that are very unique in appearances, wrought-iron balconies. The primary building will have upper-floor balconies and mezzanines," Jester said.

The development will also have special lighting for evening hours, unique signage and music piped in to the plaza area, said Ken Schwab, of Wilhoit Properties. Schwab is the leasing agent for French Quarter Plaza.

Schwab said the second floor of the main structure at French Quarter Plaza will be able to accommodate an outdoor dining area. He said that's a popular feature of developments in other, larger cities, but he hasn't seen it yet here in Springfield.

However, Jester said, the balcony area won't be limited to restaurants.

"A lot of retail users can think of creative ways to use balcony treatments," he said.

Schwab said French Quarter Plaza, which is in an area zoned highway commercial, can include office, retail and restaurants.

"One of the reasons Bill found that this was an enticing site is because it was one of the last highway commercial zoned properties (along Republic Road). Highway commercial is the broadest, most expansive zoning you can have for commercial usage, Schwab said. "This site had that, coupled with the fact that the other centers that we've seen built form the National/Republic Road interchange, they've all filled pretty quickly."

Jester said the types of businesses that come to French Quarter Plaza will vary.

"We're in negotiations for an upscale dining experience, we've got some other retailers we're talking to. We've got the flexibility to have financial entities or insurance entities, things like that," Jester said.

Another feature Jester found attractive about the location of French Quarter Plaza is what's going to be happening in that area in the future.

"That section of Republic Road is scheduled for major improvements over the next 12 to 18 months. You're going to see a lot of incredible changes out there," Jester said.

Schwab said he thinks Republic Road will eventually become an extension of the South Glenstone corridor, which also makes the area a good location.

"If you think about it, what is south of Republic Road that is even retail zoning anymore? Republic Road is the southern edge of all major retail zoning in Springfield right now," he said.

Schwab said that the merchants who come to French Quarter Plaza will be good for people who live in that area, but they'll also entice people from other parts of the city, and Jester agreed.

"There are no fine dining opportunities in the south part of Springfield. There are all sorts of shops and boutiques now, but there can be more to exist there," Jester said.

Bill Jeffries is the president of the Ravenwood Neighborhood Association, which is near the new commercial development. He said the group hasn't talked much specifically about French Quarter Plaza, but he said the development of the property wasn't a surprise, since that's what it's zoned for.

"We just want it to be proper development, and utilized so that it doesn't make the traffic problem too much worse its going to get worse as it (the area) develops anyway," Jeffries said. "I'm not necessarily pointing it toward that one development, but there will be several developments all along Republic Road."

Jester said he tries to bring unique projects to Springfield and he sometimes gets ideas for developments from other cities he visits.

"Springfield people deserve to have the same kind of neat places to go," he said.

Jester added that he enjoys developing themed properties such as French Quarter Plaza.

"One of the things I've always tried to do with my buildings is make them a destination. I believe if you build distinctive properties, they need to be themed, and they need to be a destination point," Jester said. "This is a great location on Republic Road, and my hope is, that when people give directions, they'll say, do you know where French Quarter Plaza is?'"

Jester said the cost for the 39,000-square-foot development is approximately $4.5 million. Williams Construction is the shell contractor for the project, Ben Goforth is the architect, and Great Wall Construction, which is owned by Jester and his wife Nancy, is the general contractor.