Rezonings proposed for College Street corridor

The bills would collectively declare 53 acres along College Street blighted, allowing businesses and residents to seek tax abatement for investments in redeveloping property, and establish the West College Street District.

According to the bills, the district is designed as a mixed-use, urban area with three subsections – a live-work area, a residential area and mixed-use area – intended to attract an eclectic mix of businesses, architecture, artist studios and residents consistent with the College Street Corridor Plan council approved a year ago.

On either end of the district, industrial-commercial zoning would be established for Mother’s Brewing Co., 215 S. Grant Ave., and the George & Joann’s Antique Mall property, 555 S. Kansas Expressway. In all, 20.6 acres of property would be rezoned under the proposal.

In April 2011, City Council requested city staff review zoning in the West Central Neighborhood. During the next year, an analysis report was generated, followed by a series of public meetings, according to information submitted to council. On Aug. 27, 2012, council approved the College Street Corridor Plan, which called for a zoning ordinance that met the current and future needs of the corridor and would allow flexibility with future development. Springfield Planning & Development Director Ralph Rognstad said at last night’s meeting the West College Street District is the result of those efforts.

“(Mother’s Brewing) currently has three zoning districts on it – there’s center-city, commercial services and multifamily. This would consolidate it all into one district, and that would work better for their expansion plans in the future,” Rognstad said.

Springfield Economic Development Director Mary Lilly Smith said the corridor plan envisioned mixed uses for the area that has ties to historic Route 66. As part of the plan, a blight study was conducted that found, among other conditions, aging water pipes, dilapidated sidewalks and, during the past 10 years, 59 percent of the principal structures declared as dangerous buildings, Smith said. With a blight designation, businesses and residents could seek 100 percent tax abatement for improvements for 10 years, she said, assuming the improvements would increase the taxable assessed value of the property.

The two public speakers who addressed council about the plans supported the initiative.

All three bills related to establishing the blighted area and the West College Street District are scheduled for a vote at the Sept. 9 council meeting.