Chicago group closes on financing for Poplar Place redevelopment

Related Midwest of Chicago has closed financing on a $44.8 million redevelopment of Poplar Place for low- and moderate-income families on the city's east side.

Construction will be done in phases and is set to begin later this month, Mayor Jim Langfelder said.

It will consist of 25 structures, or 50 duplex units and 50 structures that are single-family houses, lessening the density from its previous 125 structures.

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The project was long delayed over labor issues and maintenance of the roads.

Related Midwest’s LR Contracting Company is handling the construction with Evan Lloyd Architects doing the design.

The work includes modernizing interior finishes; replacing kitchens and bathrooms and installing energy-efficient appliances, new lighting and new heating systems.

Features of the new apartments will include wide-plank flooring throughout, new appliances, fixtures and accessories and in-home washers and dryers. The extensive exterior renovation work involves installing new roofing and windows and the removal and replacement of exterior siding.

Additionally, a one-car car garage will be newly constructed for each of the 50 single-family homes.

The new site plan will include a community center and playground.

The city kicked in $2.2 million in tax-increment financing (TIF) funds, with $1.2 million specifically going to roads, sidewalks and curbing and the other $1 million earmarked for the general construction and demolition of the area. The funds come from the Far East TIF District.

Poplar Place was originally built in 1950 and was purchased by Related Midwest in 1999. Related Midwest was also responsible for the Madison Park Place development, the former John Hay Homes, Langfelder noted.

Don Biernacki, executive vice president of construction at Related Midwest and president of LR Contracting Company, said the work will be "transformative for the east side of Springfield and the greater Springfield community."

“The city, together with our partners, worked diligently for years to ensure the right pieces were in place in order for this redevelopment to happen," said Langfelder said. "I am proud to have worked with everyone to help usher this through. We are not only redeveloping an area, we will be changing people’s lives.

"It's needed to move forward. It's going to be fantastic for that area."

Ward 3 Ald. Roy Williams Jr. said neighbors and residents have wanted the project for quite some time. He understood their frustration.

“I appreciate the conversations that have taken place and partnerships that have been created to make this project a reality," he said. "Through the community forums and discussions, voices have been heard, and this project will finally be underway.”

That's a wrap

Three alderpersons wrapping up their time on the city council - Ward 4 Ald. John Fulgenzi; Ward 6 Ald. Kristin DiCenso and Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin - were recognized at Tuesday's meeting.

DiCenso, who has served since 2017, thanked her son, Stanley, for being "my biggest fan, my biggest cheerleader."

Addressing city council members, DiCenso said "you meet the most wonderful people when you get involved in public service. Whether you realize it or not, you are making a difference, one way or another."

McMenamin thanked his wife, Lynn, for joining him for "meeting No. 653. She's been there every meeting."

He also thanked city employees "from top to bottom and from bottom to top. You serve beyond the call of duty too often, too many times. Alderpersons don't get enough credit for the 24/7 job they do."

McMenamin couldn't run again in Ward 7 because he was term limited.

Also recognized was outgoing Treasurer Misty Buscher, who is now the Mayor-Elect.

Colleen Redpath Feger, the Treasurer-Elect, called Buscher "an amazing person. You're an amazing public servant and I can only hope I can live up to what you've done."

Leaky roof repairs

On emergency passage, the city council approved the use of $88,410 in community development block grant funds for the Kidzeum of Health and Science to repair a leaky roof.

Executive director Leah Wilson said Kidzeum, located at 412 E. Adams St., is positioning itself to expand into two storefronts connected to the building it owns.

The move will allow the museum, which opened in 2018, to do more with its STEAM programming. That's an immersive experience for second graders throughout District 186.

The repairs will be to the roof that covers the two storefronts Kidzeum intends to occupy, so it isn't inhibiting any current operations, Wilson said.

Corporate fund balance

Bill McCarty, director of the city's Office of Budget and Management, said the corporate fund ended FY23 with a record balance of $63 million.

Only one other time in the city's history has the corporate fund balance been above $50 million.

The fiscal year ended on February 28.

"We're leaving (city council members) and your successors and Mayor-Elect Buscher with a good fiscal picture," McCarty said.

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: A Springfield development will get an overhaul beginning in May