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The rezoning this morning was endorsed in a news release by the HBA.
SBJ file
The rezoning this morning was endorsed in a news release by the HBA.

Springfield United gathers endorsements for Galloway rezoning vote

Posted online

Springfield United, a political action committee launched to support the Galloway Village rezoning vote, has announced a series of high-profile endorsements.

Endorsements from Missouri State University President Clif Smart, Ozarks Technical Community College Chancellor Hal Higdon, The Rebound Foundation co-founder Christina Ford and Ballparks of America General Manager Scott Bailes, a former Springfield City Council member, were announced this week on Springfield United's Facebook page, called Vote Yes Question 1.

This morning, the Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield issued a news release endorsing the Nov. 8 ballot measure.

"This issue is more than a rezoning issue in Galloway. This is about the future growth and prosperity of Springfield," said Travis Miller, HBA board president, in the release.

The HBA joins the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, which endorsed the measure last month.

Elevation Enterprises LLC is seeking a rezoning to develop a mixed-use project across from Sequiota Park. The yearslong effort, if approved by voters, would allow Elevation to move forward on the mixed-used project with housing and commercial spaces. The Galloway Village Neighborhood Association this summer won an appeal in a case brought against it by Elevation Enterprises and the city, maintaining the public may use the municipal election process to appeal city zoning decisions, according to past reporting.

The neighborhood association has led opposition efforts to the rezoning and, similar to Springfield United, has been placing yard signs in an effort to inform voters ahead of the November election.

"Galloway Village Neighborhood Association's goal in this campaign is to inform voters about the ballot question using facts, so that voters can decide for themselves whether they approve of this development or not," a statement issued to Springfield Business Journal last month reads. "The remedy of the referendum should be reserved for only the most egregious cases of government failure to represent the will of its citizens, which unfortunately has occurred in this case.

"If a referendum is ever necessary and proper, it is here. The referendum process is not an easy one, but citizens felt so strongly about this dense proposal and Sequiota Park that we were able to gather 2,800-plus signatures in 18 days. The character of our unique corner of Springfield should not be sacrificed through attempts to silence the lawful rights of Springfield citizens granted under our city’s charter."

Both the Galloway Village Neighborhood Association and Springfield United are registered with the Missouri Ethics Commission.

The neighborhood association's noncommittee expenditure report issued to the MEC on Sept. 15 shows $2,350 spent on yard signs and $1,817 on T-shirts.

Springfield United, which is registered as a political action committee with the MEC, does not have any expense reports on file with the commission.

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