City Council approved a resolution at its July 27 meeting that delays acceptance and processing of demolition, new construction, re-platting, (including lot combinations) and rezoning applications for properties that abut the Grant Avenue Parkway area. The delay for the roughly 3-mile stretch of Grant between Sunshine and Walnut will be in effect for 180 days.
The Grant Avenue Parkway project will create an attractive corridor connecting Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium to downtown Springfield with various neighborhoods, parks, greenway connections and amenities in between.
“The administrative delay will allow time for the City to seek input from area residents, property owners, design professionals and interested citizens regarding the Grant Avenue Parkway concept design, and for staff to present a report to City Council regarding the Parkway concept, development constraints and opportunities in this area,” said Planning & Development Director Mary Lilly Smith.
In November 2019, the City of Springfield received notice of award of a $21 million federal BUILD (Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development) grant. The BUILD funds must be matched with roughly $5 million in local funds. The purpose of the grant is to develop a linkage between downtown and the Wonders of Wildlife/Bass Pro Shops complex using Grant Avenue. The project will include dedicated bike and pedestrian trails, complete Street improvements to Grant Avenue and increased activated greenspace through Springfield’s urban core.
Funds must be obligated by Sept. 30, 2021 and the project completed by Sept. 30, 2026. There has been significant interest in property along the Grant Avenue Parkway corridor and staff has fielded multiple inquiries regarding rezoning and development along the corridor.
“Development undertaken at this juncture could be inconsistent with the vision and concept that is developed during the public engagement period and refined by the consultant teams,” Smith explained.
This action is consistent with past Council action to implement administrative delays on permits, platting and rezonings in the Phelps Grove and Rountree Urban Conservation Districts and rezoning and lot combinations in the Galloway area. The resolution establishes an appeal process if an applicant believes the City’s determination not to accept or process an application is unreasonable.