Council adds $2.2M in projects to planned capital improvements

Springfield City Council last night unanimously adopted a resolution to add $2.2 million in project costs to the capital improvements program over the next five years.

City of Springfield Planning and Development Director Mary Lilly Smith, who presented the amendment, said council in February approved the current program for years 2017-22. The amendment adds to 111 capital improvement projects totaling $83 million for the current fiscal year, according to city documents.

“We’re proposing an amendment to the adopted capital improvements program to add some projects that are proposed for funding through the (Community Development Block Grant) reallocation program,” Smith said at the meeting. “You’ll recall that we have some money in our commercial loan program.”

The new funding will cover improvements to four parks – Cooper, Meador, Nichols and Tom Watkins – to update playground equipment, benches, park signage, tennis courts and walking trails. In addition, funding would allow for sidewalk improvements at 11 locations – six different segments in Zone 1 and Zone 2, and another five if adequate funding is available after other projects are complete.