Public meetings this week look at quarry project

GreenWorks PC of Portland, Ore., is working with local firm Hagerman New Urbanism to design a gateway plaza as the first step of redevelopment at the quarry at National Avenue and East Trafficway, according to a city news release. The land could include recreational, commercial and housing uses.

GreenWorks will host a public presentation entitled “Urban Gateways – Beyond the Arch” 6:30–8 p.m. Tuesday at the Creamery Arts Center board room, 411 N. Sherman Parkway.

Another public meeting, hosted by GreenWorks and Hagerman New Urbanism, will be 5:30–7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Discovery Center of Springfield, 438 St. Louis St. The come-and-go workshop will offer small-group discussions on design concepts for the quarry.

GreenWorks team members are in Springfield through Wednesday for site review and assessment.

The 9.4-acre quarry site is estimated to be at capacity for clean fill by late 2009 or 2010. Geotechnical assessments will indicate what could be built on the compacted fill.

Funding for the GreenWorks contract, future design and initial development work is made possible by $2.2 million in federal economic development initiative grants secured by southwest Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt, according to the release.