Roughly $10M in projects kick off last month of 2015

December was a busy month for commercial construction in the Queen City. A large and long talked about project got underway in downtown Springfield and a handful of new work sprung onto the scene, totaling at least $7.2 million. That doesn’t include continued work on other large projects, such as City Utilities’ $4.4 million bus station.

Outside of Springfield, crews began the foundation for a 13,600-square-foot clinic for Mercy Springfield Communities in Ozark, with construction work led by DeWitt & Associates Inc. and architecture by Bates & Associates Inc. In Bolivar, Southwest Baptist University officials broke ground on a $2.7 million renovation and expansion project with GHN Architects Engineers serving as architect and construction manager.

Here’s a recap of the projects currently making moves around the city.

Brewery District Lofts
Two years after Springfield City Council approved a 25-year tax abatement for Brewery District Lofts Redevelopment Corp., the downtown development is underway in earnest. On Dec. 11, crews began raising steel beams for the project adjacent to Springfield Brewing Co.

The three-story development calls for retail, office and banquet space on the first floor and 25 apartments on the top two floors. Designed by architecture firm H Design Group LLC, Brewery District Lofts is slated for completion in June. The project cost is roughly $2.4 million, according to city building permits.

Kum & Go Marketplace
A Kum & Go under construction at South Campbell Avenue and Sunset Street is slated to replace a nearby existing store in the second quarter.

Company spokeswoman Kristie Bell said the 2808 S. Campbell Ave. store, a free-standing building in The Village retail development parking lot, would move into the new 6,000-square-foot store less than half a mile away at 2704 S. Campbell Ave.

Johnston, Iowa-based Henning Construction Co. is serving as general contractor on the project designed by Merriam, Kan.-based BRR Architecture Inc. Bell declined to disclose costs of the project, where site work has begun and underground utilities currently are being installed.

The convenience store would be the latest in Kum & Go’s prototype concept dubbed Marketplace, which includes indoor and outdoor seating and an expanded food preparation area. The stores are 1,000 square feet larger than standard stores.

Springfield Building Development Services Director Chris Straw said the estimated cost listed on city building permits is $1.2 million. However, the standard stores typically cost around $4.1 million, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.

Mers Goodwill
Dirt is moving along West Bypass as Mers Goodwill works to open two new Springfield thrift stores this year.

Company officials say a 15,575-square-foot store at 3151 S. Kansas Expressway is slated for completion in May, followed by a late September opening for its new 14,587-square-foot location at 425 S. Western Ave.

The Kansas Expressway store, located just south of Battlefield Road, would replace Mers Goodwill’s only Springfield shop at 520 E. Battlefield Road. New features would include a donation drive-thru.

Columbia-based Coil Construction is serving as general contractor on the projects designed by Matt Rimiller of Jefferson City-based Rimiller Architects. The stores are projected to cost $2.4 million apiece.