Springfield's Jordan Creek project will transform parking area into green gathering space

The initial phase of the Renew Jordan Creek Project is nearing the end of its design stage and awaiting the start of construction in mid-2024. The most recent design includes a dog park, pedestrian plaza and space for an outdoor classroom.

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.

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.

Springfield City Council heard an update on the project at its Tuesday Lunch Workshop. Council member Derek Lee said this is a huge step forward as businesses and residences around the area have to often spend more money in order to protect their property from flood damage.

"This is probably the biggest game changing public improvement that the city's done probably in my lifetime living in the city of Springfield," Councilman Craig Hosmer said.

He said this project has many aspects that benefit everybody and encouraged the city to think bigger and longer-term with similar projects.

City Project Manager Kirkland Preston said the project aims to reduce stormwater pollution with green infrastructure and improve the aquatic habitat for wildlife. In his presentation to the council, he covered the flow of the water in the creek, highlighting that even during the driest seasons, the creek will still have running water.

Where is the money for Renew Jordan Creek coming from?

One of the main updates included the sources of funding for the multi-million-dollar project. The construction alone is budgeted to cost $24 million with additional other costs such as master planning, design and administration incurring $5.2 million in costs. However, the council members commended the city staff in their determination in receiving a variety of funding. While a portion will be funded by sales taxes, grants and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are also making up a large portion of sourcing. Varying ARPA funds are providing $9.2 million for the project.

Locally, the project will be funded through the City’s Level Property Tax, ¼-cent and 1/8-cent sales taxes and Environmental Services Green Infrastructure funds.

"Normally on a project you wouldn't see that many outside funding sources," Olsson project manager Jared Rasmussen said.

The current sources include $27.4 million, the rest is planned to be funded through a low interest state revolving loan program. The project was initially approved to borrow $13 million but will likely only use $2 million due to the success of seeking other funding.

Even with these numbers, this project has been cut down from initial dreams and plans for the area.

"We started with Disneyland, and it just wasn't in the budget," said Sean Thouvenot, local executive for Branco Construction Company and the construction manager at risk for this project.

What will Jordan Creek look like?

During the design updates at the council lunch, Rasmussen introduced what the project will look like once realized. Currently, most of these spaces are parking lots.

He said Water Street will be closed to traffic, becoming a pedestrian area that will be available for use to food trucks, vendors and community events. On the other side, north of the creek will be a pedestrian plaza with greenery, including an outdoor classroom space that will be connected to Missouri State University's campus.

A dog park overlooking the creek will be created on the west side of Campbell Avenue, Rasmussen said — a factor that was highly requested during the public input process. In addition, this portion will also include a large green area with closer access to the creek. A new arch bridge will be constructed on Campbell as well.

Council member Brandon Jenson asked about plans to keep trash out of the creek after the project is completed. Preston said nothing has yet been settled in this area, but they have multiple options in preventing trash from getting to the creek and maintaining its cleanliness. Part of this is working on the creek upstream to stop trash from ever getting to this area.

More: Springfield set to improve flooding infrastructure, fueled by federal dollars

What happens next?

This month, 90% of the design is estimated to be completed. The project will then undergo environmental review and permitting processes this fall through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Missouri Department of Natural Resources and BNSF Railway.

"A lot of times I'll get 'this seems to be taking forever,' " Thouvenot said. "Well, it is, but it is being done right and there's a lot of forethought."

During his presentation, Preston said the project is still yet to acquire the private property at 334 N. Main Ave. for a new bridge. This is the Hotel of Terror property owned by Sterling Mathis. Preston said this acquisition is critical for the Main Avenue bridge which is classified as "structurally deficient" by MoDOT inspection and National Bridge Inventory data.

The council had voted to initiate eminent domain for the property in February. However, after Mathis collected enough signatures in April, the decision was repealed and negotiations for a sale continued.

More: City agrees to stop Hotel of Terror eminent domain, negotiations to sell continue

Construction is expected to begin middle of 2024 and anticipated to take about 18 months. This primary portion of the project is estimated to be complete by late fall 2025 or early spring 2026.

However, Renew Jordan Creek master plan also includes two other portions — Founders Park and the property at 404 N. Jefferson Ave. These sites will be studied and considered for improvements following the Jordan Creek area.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Renew Jordan Creek Project will mitigate flooding, liven up downtown