Latest news with #WestCentralNeighborhoodAlliance
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SGF city planners continue hosting workshops with center city registered neighborhoods
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — City planners are seeking input from residents as part of the implementation of the Forward SGF Comprehensive Plan related to housing. City of Springfield planners will host a series of workshops with registered center city neighborhood residents to brainstorm where select 'missing middle' housing options could fit in in their neighborhoods, according to a news release. This is part of the citywide remapping process, following the adoption of the Land Development Code by Springfield City Council earlier this year. The recently updated code will create new opportunities for gentle density and diverse missing middle housing types — such as duplexes, multi-unit homes and townhomes — through a newly established residential zoning district, R-MX1. 'Missing middle housing' refers to a range of residential building types that bridge the gap between single-family homes and large apartment buildings. According to the City's 2023 Housing Study and Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy and Forward SGF, 'missing middle' housing types should be integrated into Springfield's existing neighborhoods to increase housing diversity through moderate increases in density while maintaining neighborhood character to provide a wider, more equitable range of housing choices. 'We want to engage with neighborhoods that have the greatest potential for increased housing density – specifically those within the Center City Neighborhood place type,' said senior planner Hanna Knopf in the release. Two meetings have already taken place — one in Woodland Heights, and one in West Central Neighborhood Alliance. Center city neighborhoods are identified in the comprehensive plan as residential neighborhoods generally dating back to before WWII. These neighborhoods are typically made up of a gridded block pattern with alleys, tree-lined streets, and a well-connected sidewalk network. The Westside Neighborhood Betterment Association's meeting will be at 6:30 p.m., June 16, at Wilson's Creek Nursing & Rehab, 3403 W. Mt. Vernon. Heart of the Westside's meeting will be at 6 p.m., June 17, at Passion Assembly of God Church, 806 N. Forest Ave. Grant Beach's meeting will be 6:30 p.m., July 8, at The Fairbanks, 1126 N. Broadway. Doling Park's meeting will be 6:30 p.m., July 17 at Hillcrest Presbyterian Church, 818 E. Norton Road. Meetings are also planned for Tom Watkins, Weller and Midtown. 'Woodland Heights has empty lots that could potentially welcome some 'missing middle' housing,' said Becky Volz, Woodland Heights Neighborhood Association president and Neighborhood Advisory Council chair, in the release. 'We have a few properties that could work as a remodel for duplexes, as well,' Volz said. 'I'm hopeful these meetings with City staff will outline the process and intention for development. Neighbors are concerned about the possibility of developers coming in with no thoughtfulness of our historical roots and homes, but we can work and dream together for the betterment of Woodland Heights and all center city neighborhoods' While Robberson, Rountree and Phelps Grove also fall within the Center City Neighborhood placetype, Knopf said staff will attend those neighborhoods' meetings to explain the citywide remapping process. 'The residential properties within Robberson are currently zoned R-TH, Residential Townhouse, which will automatically translate to R-MX1 during the citywide remapping,' Knopf said. 'Rountree and Phelps Grove have updated neighborhood plans and have more recently discussed development within their neighborhoods and the neighborhood plans reflect those discussions. With these neighborhoods, staff will attend one of their neighborhood meetings and explain the overall citywide remapping process rather than focus on 'missing middle' housing.' There are 12 remaining registered neighborhoods in Springfield that fall outside of the Center City Neighborhood place type that are designated with a Traditional Neighborhood place type. They are: Bissett University Heights Fassnight Mark Twain Greater Parkcrest Oak Grove Brentwood Seminole Holland Meador Park Delaware Bradford Park Galloway Village In these neighborhoods, Knopf said staff will attend regularly scheduled neighborhood meetings to explain the citywide remapping process as it relates to the Land Development Code update. A mapping exercise will not be conducted in these neighborhoods, as they are generally made up of homogenous housing types that are separated from dissimilar uses by distinct zoning boundaries that present different opportunities than the Center City neighborhoods, she added in the release. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Does the City of Springfield lose money on the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival?
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Data obtained by Ozarks First Investigates reveals that the City of Springfield has spent over $100,000 on its signature event, the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival, since 2019. Launched in 2010, the festival has become a major local tradition. However, it's set to expand beyond Springfield next year, as Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe announced a new statewide initiative and significant investment to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026. Tourism revenue remains a key motivation for festival organizers. Officials tout the event's ability to draw crowds and boost local businesses. However, not everyone agrees. Last year, several downtown Springfield businesses came together to voice concerns, claiming the festival has negatively impacted them for years. A six-year review provided by the city shows the festival's expenses have outweighed its income. According to the data, expenses exceeded revenue in 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2024. The festival was not held in 2020 or 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite efforts to offset costs, the city spent a total of $110,104.40 on the event over the six-year period — even after receiving additional support from the State of Missouri. City spokesperson Cora Scott told Ozarks First Investigates that Springfield aims to break even each year. But in 2024, the largest share of spending went toward production and entertainment costs, according to city estimates. Revenue for the festival typically comes from merchandise sales and sponsorships. For example, the West Central Neighborhood Alliance received a $50,000 grant to support the event. In addition, the city was awarded $250,000 in 2022 from the Missouri Department of Tourism, which Scott said was used to fund festivals between 2022 and 2024. 'The goal of the City is to bring people to town to stay in our hotels, frequent our restaurants and spend money on all the great things Springfield has to offer,' said Scott, who will also serve as chair of the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission, The Road Ahead Partnership, formed to honor the historic highway's 100-year milestone. City leaders estimate the 2023 festival attracted about 65,000 visitors, consistent with previous years. However, quantifying the financial impact — such as sales tax revenue from tourism — remains difficult. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
