Springfield City Council updated on Public Works construction projects

(From the City of Springfield)

During a regular update of completed and pending Public Works projects, Assistant Director Martin Gugel proposed that the City apply for a highly-competitive BUILD Transportation Grant. BUILD stands for “Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development Transportation Discretionary Grants.”

BUILD is a $1.5 billion dollar, multimodal, merit-based discretionary federal grant program that aims to support new partnerships and multi-jurisdictional cooperation, including public-private partnerships. Grant merit criteria focuses on transportation projects that improve safety and equitable access, enhance quality of life, environmental protection and innovation. Grants range from $5 to $25 million and require a 20 percent match.

The City’s Public Works and Planning & Development departments have convened a multi-departmental, multi-agency team to prepare a grant proposal for an attractive corridor connecting Springfield’s vibrant downtown to the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium (WOW), with various neighborhoods, parks, greenway connections and other amenities in between. The “Grant Avenue Parkway Trail Connection Project” would also provide connectivity with an existing and heavily used trail network (Ozarks Greenways, Inc.) and is coordinated with the metropolitan planning efforts of the Ozarks Transportation Organization.

WOW was voted America’s Best Aquarium and Best New Attraction by USA Today readers. Since opening in September 2017, the estimated $300 million private investment has resulted in significantly increased hotel nights and attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors. Downtown Springfield’s renaissance has been slow but steady over the past 20 years. Over a half-billion dollars of public and private investment has been made downtown since 1996. These two destinations generate a tremendous amount of economic activity and are authentic Springfield experiences for both residents and visitors. This project will also alleviate traffic congestion, improve safety and accessibility and reduce environmental concerns.

“In his State of the City address a few weeks ago, the Mayor identified a vision for a strong economic vitality corridor stretching from the new Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium to Park Central Square. From IDEA Commons to Historic Commercial Street,” Gugel said. “We have identified a grant opportunity that has the potential to move us forward on this vision.”

Public Works Projects Completed as Promised:

• College Street Streetscape (Market to Grant)

• HUD-funded sidewalk projects

• National Avenue & Bennett Street Signal Improvements

• Frisco Lane (Campbell to Benton)

• Republic Road Phase 3

• Swope Drainage Improvements

• 2,123 potholes filled

Under Construction:

• Grand Street Bridge over Jordan Creek (Kansas to Park)

• Mt. Vernon and Miler Avenue Street Improvements

• Grant Avenue and Route 66 Streetscape

• Scenic Avenue Sidewalk Improvements

• Division and Eastgate (Cost share project)

• Chestnut and Eastgate (Cost share project)

• Silsby Drainage Improvements (Kimbrough to Jefferson)

• Nicholas Street Drainage Improvements

• Grant Beach Park Box Culvert Improvements

• Street overlay anticipated 68 lane miles

• 6,700 feet of sidewalk maintenance

Coming Soon:

• Mt. Vernon Bridge replacements

• Mt. Vernon Street (Nolting & Laurel)

• Jefferson Avenue Footbridge

• Campbell Avenue Pedestrian Bridge repair

• Fremont Avenue Widening (Battlefield to Scenic)

• Prince Lane stormwater improvements

• Walnut Street storm pipe repair

• Gelven and Withers stormwater improvements