SBDC issues status report on Legacy of Flight

A status report for the proposed Legacy of Flight project, slated for construction at the Interstate 44/Highway 65 intersection, has been issued by Spring-field's economic development partnership to officials of the Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum, according to a news release from the Springfield Business and Development Corp.

The Kalamazoo museum is the developer of the proposed 380,000-square-foot air museum project.

Local economic development team members already have proposed development incentives contingent on whether developers can dedicate a minimum of $4 million in additional owner equity toward the $139 million project cost. If so, Springfield City Council will consider the following city staff recommendations related to necessary public im-provements at the project site:

The city will acquire the right-of-way and build the access road from Mulroy Road at an estimated cost of $4 million. The road construction is contingent on the city's ability to recover some of its costs from future development other than the Legacy of Flight project.

The city initially would build a two-lane road along the right of way, with expansion of the system based on future development. Two conditions apply in order for the roadway construction to occur: The city of Springfield and Greene County entering into an interlocal agreement regarding annexation, zoning and shared responsibility and cost for the road; and Springfield City Council approving a policy allowing the city to recover costs and build necessary streets for future development.

The Greene County Commission already has committed $1.5 million to assist in the local development of the proposed tourism project. The county funds are restricted to infrastructure and roads, the release stated.

Greene County also has pledged to consider making additional funds available contingent on the participation of other local, state and national government entities.

The economic development partnership team also is working toward annexation of the proposed tourism site, zoning and the financial package, which could exceed more than $90 million in various industrial revenue and community improvement district bonding.