Springfield Cooper Park, Killian sports complexes expand renovation plans with ARPA funds
At its Monday meeting, Springfield City Council heard plans about using $13.5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, funds allocated by the Missouri General Assembly toward improvements to the Cooper Park/Lake Country Soccer Complex and the Killian Softball Complex on East Pythian Street.
The project would be completed in phases. The first phase would include new artificial turf on 19 soccer fields and designing new entryways for both the east and west side of the Cooper Park Complex entrances. Grass fields would be replaced with artificial turf, making them more resistant to weather and wear. Updates would also include new sports lighting, team locker rooms and sidewalks.
A new bleacher that seats 250 would be added on the southwest end of the Auxiliary Stadium field after existing portable bleachers were determined to be unusable for this project. In a future phase, this new bleacher would be duplicated.
A future grand pavilion is planned for the upper concourse of east Cooper, while another is intended on the west. In addition, a new plaza would be attached to the north side with an open play area, where playground equipment could be installed later on.
Bob Belote, the director of the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, thanked the council for their ongoing support for the updates that will be "transformational." He said many of the current infrastructure is still original from when Cooper was developed in the 1980s.
"We talk a lot about sports tourism, and that's a phenomenal thing," he said. "But I want to remind everybody, that first and foremost, this is for our own kids and for our own families."
The Killian Softball Complex would see new concessions and restroom facilities as well as additional seating. Future phases of the west side of the Cooper Complex would also see a new parking lot, additional tennis courts and a pickleball court facility.
Where's the money coming from?
The project is expected to cost $27.4 million, including a local match for the ARPA funds. If approved by council in future readings of the bill, it would be funded by:
ARPA funds appropriated by the Missouri General Assembly — $13.5 million
City General Fund carryover funds — $5 million
City's direct ARPA allocation — $7.3 million
City's Park Fund carryover funds — $1 million
Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, Inc. — $631,275
At Monday's meeting, the discussion was centered on the use of the carryover money from the City General Fund.
David Holtmann, the city's director of finance, said revenue for the past two years has been increasing, hence why there are more carryover funds than in the past. He said for this year, the city will likely be around $7.4 million over budget. While it is common practice to usually allocate these funds at the end of the calendar year, because of the substantial funds, no problems should arise moving forward with the money now.
Along with the $5 million for this project, the carryover funds will be used to increase the reserve fund to the required 20% and pay for the special election on Tuesday that cost $250,000.
This project has been in the works for more than five years. It was initially started by a council pledge of $5 million and a match of $5 million in financing, but no true plan as to how the project will be funded. The use of carryover funds keeps the promise of funding $5 million. In the past couple of years, the funding and the plans for the project have continued to expand.
More: City requests $43.3 million in ARPA funds from state, outlines eight projects for the aid
The council will vote on authorizing the use of these funds at its next meeting Aug. 21.
In other City Council news
Council voted on a bill Monday regarding a short-term rental permit on 1024 E. Sunshine St. The applicant was required to collect signatures from at least 55% of the four neighboring properties. While two signatures were secured, one was not applicable because it was not signed by the owner listed on the county assessor's database. All neighbors were notified of the meeting and a notice that they do not oppose the application if they do not return the protest petition.
The permit passed 7-2, with Mayor Ken McClure and Council member Craig Hosmer opposing.
As part of the discussion about the permit, Hosmer asked about the new tax that went into effect July 1 after being approved by voters last April. The 5% tax previously applied to hotels and motels now also includes short-term rentals like those listed on Airbnb and Vrbo. Planning Manager Bob Hosmer said Greene County is scouring through those platforms to try to crack down on short-term rentals that are functioning illegally without a license.
Through their consent agenda, the Council approved the sale of 750 square feet of land on West Grand Street to the developers of the Loose Goose project. It will include drive-thru coffee shop, food trucks, yard games with green space, an outdoor walk-up bar and six pickleball courts, on the corner of Grand Street and Grant Avenue. Currently, the plot is zoned for single-family residential development meaning it will have to be rezoned before development of the commercial complex on the plot can begin.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Cooper Park/Lake Country Soccer Complex to renew facilities with ARPA
