Springfield City Council approved the final plans and specifications for phase I of the Renew Jordan Creek project and awarded the construction contract to Branco Enterprises, Inc. at a special City Council meeting Dec. 3, 2024. The approved contract sets a guaranteed maximum price (GMP)of $26.8 million for construction of the creek-daylighting effort.
Renew Jordan Creek is a transformative project to restore the historic Jordan Creek as it flows through the heart of downtown Springfield. The phase I project area consists of two large blocks in the urbanized center of Jordan Valley Park, bordered on the east by Boonville Avenue, Water Street on the south, Main Avenue on the west, and Mill Street on the north.
The overall project goals include flood reduction and water quality improvements, in addition to pedestrian and connectivity enhancements, sustainable greenspaces integration, comfort and safety improvements and sense of place development. Later phases of the community-developed Jordan Creek Master Plan envision improvements at Founders Park and the City-owned property at 404 N. Jefferson Ave.
Funding for construction of phase I will come from a variety of sources, including the City’s Level Property Tax, 1/4-cent Capital Improvement Sales Tax, City Department of Environmental Services Green Infrastructure and Clean Water funds, local and state American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and federal and state grants and loans.
“Awarding the contract to Branco and securing our financing will allow us to proceed to construction after many years of community-directed design and funding development,” explained Public Works Project Manager Kirkland Preston. “There is still opportunity, however, for philanthropic support to help enhance the daylighted creek as an amenity for events and activities downtown.”
Anticipated construction schedule and impacts
Construction of the first phase of the project is scheduled to last approximately two years with a completion date anticipated for late 2026.
Local traffic and access to businesses, residences and parking will be maintained throughout construction. However, the public may be directed to access a property nearby the work zone from a certain direction for a period of time. Construction is expected to impact through traffic nearby the work site for a large portion of the project duration.
Anticipated major road closure phases include:
Water Street closure – Now through March
Water Street will close to through traffic in two sections – between Campbell and Boonville avenues, and between Boonville and Jefferson avenues – to facilitate construction staging and utility work.
Campbell Street closure – Early 2025 through early 2026
Campbell Avenue will close to traffic for approximately one year between Water and Mill streets. Work will include the demolition and reconstruction of the Campbell Avenue culvert bridge and construction of elements for temporary diversion of the flow of Jordan Creek.
Boonville Avenue closure – Late 2025 through late 2026
Anticipated to begin in late 2025, Boonville Avenue will close to traffic between Water Street and Mill Street for the demolition of Boonville Avenue and the Missouri State University east parking lot and installation of a new box culvert, sanitary sewer system extension and creek diversion.
Additional roadway closure details will be communicated as scheduling information becomes available.
For more information on upcoming construction and traffic impacts and to sign up to receive regular project email updates, visit renewjordancreek.com/construction.