Salvation Army breaks ground on $12M Harbor House project 

The Salvation Army's Springfield chapter broke ground yesterday on a new $12 million Harbor House men's shelter that will replace an 85-year-old building in downtown Springfield. 

Officials with the faith-based poverty relief organization were joined by a crowd of upwards of 100 at the Springfield chapter's main facility at 1707 W. Chestnut Expressway. The project site is just to the west of the operations center at the northwest corner of Chestnut and Kansas Expressway.  

Maj. Amos Shiels, co-pastor and co-administrator at The Salvation Army of Springfield with Maj. Cyndi Shiels, his wife, said at the ceremony that the Harbor House project has been a long time coming. 

"Some variation of this project has been talked about for 15 years," Amos Shiels said, noting The Salvation Army has been in Springfield for 135 years. "We are grateful. This project would not be possible without the support of our community." 

The nearly 20,000-square-foot Harbor House, slated for completion in late 2026 or early 2027, is part of the local nonprofit chapter's $20 million Lives Transformed capital campaign. The goal comprises $12 million for the Harbor House facility, which will include an adjacent, over 9,100-square-foot food pantry, warehouse and family enrichment center, as well as $5 million for strategic reserves and $3 million for programs and operating support.  

DeWitt & Associates Inc. is serving as general contractor for the project designed by nForm Architecture LLC. The new Harbor House would have 50 program beds, 10 respite beds and 40 crisis cold-weather beds, while the food pantry and warehouse would double weekly food distribution to 300 families.  

Shiels said the project would double the number of beds available. Harbor House currently operates at 636 N. Boonville Ave. 

Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce President Matt Morrow, who was among a handful of speakers at yesterday's ceremony, said the Harbor House project puts the Queen City's collaborative spirit on display. 

"When we think of what the impact will be in Harbor House as this facility takes shape behind me, we can only imagine the hundreds, the thousands of lives that will be forever changed for the better as a result of the good work of The Salvation Army," he said. "All of our best stories in Springfield are stories of partnership. We believe firmly here that all of us are capable of doing much more together than the sum of our parts would be independent of each other. I know that's been the spirit that you've brought here from day one. I think it shows in this project." 

Challenge grant 
The Salvation Army's Springfield chapter announced in a news release that the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation has pledged a $2 million challenge grant for the Harbor House project and the capital campaign. 

The challenge grant requires The Salvation Army to complete fundraising for the $12 million construction project by July 2026. The campaign has raised nearly $8.7 million to date.  

The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation, which has offices in Midland, Texas, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, was formed in 1948 by John and Lottie Mabee, according to its website. It contributes to Christian religious organizations, charities, higher education institutions and hospitals.