Springfield's assistant planning director to retire from city

Brendan Griesemer, Springfield Planning and Development assistant director who has led the department on an interim basis this year, is retiring from the city.

Griesemer is set to exit the municipality in mid-January, according to a news release. He's worked for the city for 27 years, starting as a senior planner in 1996.

“We are grateful for Brendan’s impressive legacy at the city and are especially appreciative of him delaying his retirement to serve as interim planning director until a new director was hired. That shows his commitment to the residents of Springfield,” City Manager Jason Gage said in the release.

Griesemer has led the Department of Planning and Development as interim director since the May exit of former leader Susan Istenes, according to past reporting.

The city last month announced the hiring of Ozark City Administrator Steve Childers as Department of Planning and Development director. Childers is scheduled to start Jan. 2.

“I have had the privilege and honor to work for the city for 27 years, and it’s time to close this chapter as I look forward to writing the next chapter in my career,” Griesemer said in the release. “I am excited about Steve Childers taking over the leadership of the department and am disappointed that I will not have an opportunity to work with him. I wish him and the entire team the best of luck.”

Among his accomplishments at the city, Griesemer is crediting with helping to establish an emergency loan program for homeowners, implement affordable housing energy standards, create the Springfield Community Land Trust for affordable homeownership and develop the city’s neighborhood clean-up program.