City of Springfield says there are 15 new apartments being built. Is that too many?
If you are driving around Springfield this fall and notice some new construction, there's a good chance the cranes and dump trucks are working on a new apartment building.
According to data provided by the city of Springfield's Building Development Services in late August, there are 15 new apartment buildings going up in Springfield. The projects range from student housing to senior living facilities.
Coryell Collaborative Group is behind the apartments being constructed at the site of the old Heritage Cafeteria on Battlefield Road. The group's president, Sam Coryell, said all the new apartment construction is good news for customers, who will now have more options as they consider where they want to live, the amenities in the community, the surrounding services, the price point, and the size of the apartment.
Coryell said developers in the area need to be cautious that apartment options do not outpace population growth, but he believes adding more apartments to Springfield now will be a positive, if it's done right.
"I don’t think it’s a bad idea," Coryell said. "However, one thing I’ve learned the hard way is to be cautious not to outpace the area’s population. I would encourage apartment developers to try to avoid 'sprawl.' Based on my experience, communities on the outskirts of a metro area tend to be more susceptible to changing economic winds."
Sprawl can occur when housing and commercial developers proceed without restrictions in a large area with little concern for urban planning.
U.S. Census data indicates Springfield's population grew by about 10,000 people from 2010 to 2020.
More:Photos: New buildings being built in Springfield
Randall Whitman, with the city of Springfield Planning and Neighborhoods Team, said there is a need for different types of housing in Springfield, including apartments.
Whitman said as Baby Boomers are retiring, many do not want to live in big houses and prefer the benefits of apartment life. Also, with several colleges in town, students often seek out apartments, especially if they do not see themselves staying in Springfield long term.
Rising house prices and mortgage rates are also forcing many people in the area to rent rather than buy when it comes to housing.
National companies have published separate rankings recently that offer different insights into the local apartment scene. Rent.com, a home rental website, ranked Springfield No. 2 on its list of "Cities with the cheapest apartment rent in America." But Dwellsy ranked Springfield No. 2 on its list of "Top Ten Cities Where Rent Is Growing the Fastest."
Here are the addresses for the 15 new permitted apartment buildings in Springfield:
811 S. Holland Ave, student residence hall
505 E. St. Louis St., student apartment complex
3810 S. Weller Ave., The Preston senior living facility
1452 N. Eastgate Ave., 57 units of studio, luxury studio and 1-bedrooms
3080 E. Cherry St., Phase 2 and 3 of apartments
1364 E. Battlefield Road, 5-story apartments
2420 E. Blaine St.,13 apartment units
1234 E. Cherry St., 7 unit apartment building and garage
1110 S. Scenic Ave., senior living 60 units
519 E. Cherry St., 18 loft units
1411 E. Cherry St., apartments
5252 S. Michigan Ave., three 2-story multi family units
550 N. Duke Ave., 11-story building
2601 N. Crest Haven Ave. , Orchard Park apartments
832 S. Kimbrough Ave., Sigma Chi House
Ralph Green is a business reporter with the Springfield News-Leader. Contact him at RAGreen@gannett.com, by phone: (417-536-4061) or on Twitter at RalphGreenNL
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: 15 new Springfield apartment projects to check out
