Council approves rezoning for new Summit Prep campus

Springfield City Council last night approved The Summit Preparatory School’s rezoning request for a new campus.

Council voted 8-0 to support the rezoning of a former Mercy fitness center at 202 E. Walnut Lawn St. to an office district from a highway commercial district, allowing for utilization by a school. Summit Prep’s purchase of the 6.2 acres owned by John Youngblood’s Westport Management LLC is continent on the rezoning. Summit Prep expects to finalize the purchase of the property before Oct. 1, said Amy Maas, the school's communications officer.

The school’s current campus at 2155 W. Chesterfield Blvd. had been owned by by Bob Noble before transferring to OakStar Bank in May. OakStar Bank officials have not returned Springfield Business Journal’s requests for comment on the bank’s planned use of the building.

For Summit Prep, the Chesterfield Village building has limited room for growth and almost no green space, said board President Alison Bauer. Those concerns are addressed at the Walnut Lawn property.

“There’s a track in the back at our new space that our track and cross country teams will utilize,” said Maas, adding there’s enough space for a playground, basketball courts and garden.

Maas said Summit Prep would finish its current school year in Chesterfield Village before relocating. She said the purchase of the property and renovations will cost up to $5 million.

Web Editor Geoff Pickle contributed.