Sunshine Towne Center developer seeks CID adjustment 

The site of a future second Target store was a bear to work with, to hear developer Tom Walker of Springfield West Partners LLC tell it. 

“Just to give you a frame of reference, I’ve built projects four times this size, much more complex,” he said. “We built a water tower in Ozark, which is the worst thing I’ve ever done in my life – but this project was just off-the-charts difficult to develop because of the flooding, the water, the drainage.” 

The Target and other commercial developments are either in place or taking shape in Sunshine Towne Center, a 23-acre site at the southeast intersection of Sunshine Street and West Bypass. 

The developer came before Springfield City Council on Nov. 3 seeking an amendment to its 27-year community improvement district agreement to cover approximately $780,000 in public improvements beyond the scope of the original agreement, according to a report by Amanda Ohlensehlen, who directs the city’s Department of Workforce and Economic Vitality. 

The bill also included an amendment by Councilmember Callie Carroll to replace a member on the CID’s independent board of directors to meet requirements for the makeup of the four-member body. Carroll’s amendment replaces Tyler Creach with Andrew John Chavez, to join the other three board members, Curtis Jared, David Havens and Kerry Rovig. The amendment pushed the vote to another public hearing on Nov. 17, with a vote set to follow. 

Walker told council the site was difficult to develop, but its problems have been resolved. 

“We’re past all that,” he said. “We think we’ve solved some significant problems out there with flooding, and we’re actually very proud of the product that we’ve put together.” 

Thomas said demand has been “off the charts” by retailers interested in commercial space on the site 

“I walked through the store today and was blown away,” he said. “I’ve built more than 50 big boxes in my career, and this is by far the most beautiful store I’ve ever seen in my 40-year career.” 

Walker said his company worked hard with due diligence and cost estimates. It received approval, was issued permits and began construction. 

“We started construction, and City Utilities informed us that the way we had thought we were going to be able to tap the sewer and the water lines, they never approved those,” he said. “I was like, I beg to differ with you – but that’s irrespective of that.” 

The CID, which does not include the Target portion of the site, implements a 1% sales and use tax on goods within the district to generate an estimated $2.2 million of reimbursable project costs for interior streets and utility infrastructure, according to past SBJ reporting.