From Jordan Creek to a new animal shelter, a look at major Springfield projects for 2024
This year was full of updates and discussions about the designs and plans for improvement projects and new amenities around the city. But 2024 will have its own to-do list of tasks as much of what was talked about in 2023 begins to gear up and materialize. Here are the latest updates on city projects and what to expect in the new year.
Renew Jordan Creek
Project: The project includes "daylighting" Jordan Creek and spans two large blocks in the urbanized center of Jordan Valley Park, bordered on the east by Boonville Avenue, Water Street and the railway on the south, Main Avenue on the west and Mill Street on the north. The creek is currently running through underground box culverts located under Water Street. Daylighting refers to returning 1,100 feet of the creek back to a more natural state, open to the air.
The main goal of the project is flood mitigation and water quality improvement. The area tends to flood every six to eight years, with the most recent flood in 2016. The project also aims to improve quality of place and create a space for the community to gather in the heart of downtown. Designs include a dog park, a piece dedicated to the Ozark Greenways Trail, pedestrianized areas for vendors and events and green spaces to be used for recreation and outdoor classrooms, City Project Manager Kirkland Preston said.
Funds: The price tag for the project totals almost $30 million, with construction costs of about $24 million. The money is coming from various sources, including grants, loans and local sales tax. A $9.2 million portion will be provided through American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Status: The project is nearing the end of its design phase and is gearing up to go through several permitting processes.
Timeline: Renew Jordan Creek will go out for bid with the final plans in the second quarter of 2024, with construction expected to start by Aug. 1, 2024. The work should take 18 months, with the project fully done by 2026.
Complications: The city has been in a battle to acquire the property of Hotel of Terror at 344 N. Main Avenue for four years. While the city tried to use eminent domain to acquire the property, the hotel's owner collected enough petition signatures for the decision to be repealed. Preston said the negotiations are still ongoing but through the design process the team has created a plan that excludes the area of the property from the initial scope of work so works can still move forward without being delayed by the negotiations.
"Some of it may have to be completed at a later date and either towards the end of construction or as a separate project but that would be primarily at North Main Avenue," Preston said.
More details can be found on www.renewjordancreek.com.
New animal shelter
Project: A new 12,000-square-foot animal shelter is set to replace the current shelter dating back to the 1930s. The project has been in the works since a task force in 2014 recommended a new facility. The new facility will increase capacity for animals and provide a more efficient and safe work space for employees, Jennifer Swan, architect for the city, said in an email.
Funds: Without a final design, there is no total cost estimate for the shelter. However, Greene County has budgeted $1.45 million for the project and the city has earmarked almost $3.4 million from property tax revenue.
More: What's planned for Lake Springfield? Here's what to know about the city's latest plans
Status: The city purchased a five-acre lot in 2020 at the northwest corner of West Division Street and North O’Hara Avenue. Now, stormwater improvements for the streets are being designed and city staff are working on securing easements. Once the stormwater project is complete — construction is expected to run April-June 2024 — the shelter can move forward.
Timeline: The design of the new shelter is set to kick off in January with the hopes of going out for bid in August. Construction is estimated to begin in September 2024 and be completed by early December 2025.
Historic City Hall
Project: The building, which dates back to the 1890s, was added to both the local and national historic registers in the 1970s. What was initially a federal building and post office became city hall in the 1930s. Through the years, three additions have increased the size of the building to almost 38,000 square feet. Now, the building is set for renovations to accommodate modern needs.
The renovations will include a new fire stairwell and elevator accommodating medical emergencies, new public restrooms, renovated office spaces and a large conference room for council lunches. The building will also be winterized and see some exterior improvements like window and roof replacements.
Funds: The renovations and improvements to the building are estimated to cost $16.6 million. So far, the city has approved almost $10.5 million, including $4 million in ARPA funds, with the rest funded through property taxes and contingency funds, Swan said.
Status: City Council held its last meeting at Historic City Hall in September. Now, both council and Planning & Zoning Commission meetings take place at the Springfield Regional Police & Fire Training Center at 2620 W. Battlefield Rd.
Timeline: The project is expected to go out for bid in summer 2024. Construction is estimated to take about two years, with completion by the end of 2026.
Swan said the city plans to start a community education program to inform residents about the history of the building and communicate updates on the renovation progress.
Jefferson Avenue Footbridge
Project: After being closed for more than seven years, the historic footbridge will finally receive the renovations needed to welcome pedestrians again. The footbridge, which connects Chase Street and Commercial Street, stretches 562 feet above 13 tracks of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) rail yard. The bridge is in need of rehabilitation after a routine inspection found corrosion and steel loss that presented safety concerns.
Rehabilitation efforts will also include the addition of ADA accessible accommodations, replacement of stairs on both sides and replacement of the current lead-based paint.
Funds: The updates to the footbridge will be covered by $8 million allocated by the state. This money cannot be used for any works on the bridge plaza, however.
Timeline: Public Works hopes to have the project under construction in 2024 with bids going out in late winter. More details will be available after a contractor is selected.
Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Contact her with tips at mmieze@news-leader.com.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Construction of these major Springfield projects is coming in 2024
