Opinion: Downtown’s story unfolds with each generation

Springfield’s downtown economic development spans two centuries of seismic changes in technology, cultivating new collaborations and overcoming obstacles.

After the Civil War, Commercial Street was created with the arrival of the railroad. Fifty years later, Springfield became the Birthplace of Route 66 with John T. Woodruff’s grand vision and leadership to connect Chicago to Los Angeles with the highway system. Thirty years later, a post-World War II boom brought an unprecedented level of department stores and offices to town. After two decades of suburban flight, the city of Springfield’s Vision 20/20 comprehensive plan ushered in an era of hundreds of millions of dollars in investments into downtown through historic tax credits, collegiate expansion and the creation of Jordan Valley Park.

A new chapter is required, as the rules have changed in a post-pandemic 2023. The office market remains uncertain nationally with many companies still offering flexible work-from-home options. The retail industry continues to shift more purchases online with the convenience of delivery. Most of the low-hanging fruit of converting historic buildings to loft apartments already has been tapped.

Despite new obstacles, downtown has the tools to reinvent itself once again. The past three years have reinforced the need for community, causing recent record crowds at parks, trails and festivals. A pipeline of funding for public places has been procured. The entrepreneurial spirit is strong thanks to well-established public and private partnerships.

Iconic places for people
Springfield has secured more than $75 million for creating magnetic center city gathering spaces through Renew Jordan Creek, Grant Avenue Parkway, Hammons Field and the Jefferson Avenue Footbridge. These projects will serve as catalysts for stimulating private investments. Look no further than Mother’s Brewing Co. to see the popularity of green spaces, beverages and programming.

New models are needed to address the community’s shortage of housing units. Just as downtown and C-Street demonstrated the viability of loft apartments in the early 2000s, as well as student housing over the past decade, center city can be the pilot for the “missing middle” highlighted in the city’s Forward SGF comprehensive plan for workforce housing and pocket neighborhoods.

The Wall Street Journal recently ranked Springfield as the No. 1 place in the country to live for remote workers. The survey highlighted the city’s availability of high-speed internet access, lower cost of living, and proximity to restaurants and arts venues. Downtown should lean into those findings to enhance the work-life balance desired by today’s workforce. Renew Jordan Creek, Grant Avenue Parkway, Jordan Valley Park, West Meadows and several festivals are creating opportunities to get outside. Building on downtown’s coffee shop and restaurant culture would offer more lunch and happy hour choices. The Downtown Springfield Association also can assist developers in retrofitting office spaces to be more flexible and responsive to the needs of employers.

Entrepreneurial spirit
Center city has a strong base of locally owned restaurants and retailers. The relationships forged between businesses and their customers are fundamental to a district’s authenticity. Strategically filling key storefronts would broaden downtown’s base and enhance the pedestrian experience.

Wrap-around services for working capital, marketing and technical training are critical given the challenges of starting and operating small businesses in today’s climate. That support and spirit of community are at the heart of Missouri State University’s IDEA Commons urban innovation park with its intentional collisions of multiple disciplines.

Partnerships
Springfield has been able to punch above its weight in economic development due to its culture of collaboration. Developers, banks, higher education institutions, the chamber of commerce, the city, Community Foundation of the Ozarks Inc., Springfield Finance & Development Corp., Downtown Community Improvement District, Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc. and arts groups have key roles to play in assisting current small-business owners and attracting new investment.

As stated in the Forward SGF plan, “The initiatives and recommendations outlined in the downtown plan cannot be implemented without proactive and strong collaboration among the many influential stakeholders in downtown Springfield.”

It is impossible to gaze into the crystal ball to foretell how center city will adapt and change over the next 10-20 years. But we can take faith in how those who came before worked hard, utilized all the tools in their economic development toolbox – inventing new programs as needed – and believed in themselves and each other. That formula will ultimately be the key to today’s shared success.

Rusty Worley is the executive director of the Downtown Springfield Association. He can be reached at rusty@itsalldowntown.com.