Latest News
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Public kickoff for Lake Springfield Plan draws large crowd
Nearly 100 residents turned out for the first Lake Springfield Plan Public Information & Input meeting Dec. 17. The event took place at Springfield Art Museum. Steve Prange, project manager introduced the project team and City of Springfield Senior Planner shared context for the catalyst project. Community engagement specialists Francine Pratt and Cora Scott encouraged…
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More than 100 residents gather
More than 100 people living near Springfield Lake Park and the James River Power Plant gathered Oct. 12 to learn more about a planning process just getting underway. Steve Prange, with Crawford, Murphy, Tilly (CMT), the consulting firm hired to assist the City with the plan, and City Principal Planner in the department of economic…
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City, CU select firm to plan future of Lake Springfield area
After a competitive procurement process, the City of Springfield and City Utilities have selected engineering and consulting firm Crawford, Murphy & Tilly as the consultant for the Lake Springfield Plan. The plan is projected to be complete by summer 2024. “We are excited and proud to be part of this once-in-a-generation opportunity to work with our…
Overview
The Lake Springfield area is a key natural asset to the Springfield community and surrounding region. While it currently offers a variety of recreational amenities, there is significant opportunity to enhance the area into a recreational focal point of the region. The decommissioning of the James River Power Station presents a unique opportunity for adaptive reuse of the facility, repurposing part of the larger site for active recreation and making a lasting impact on the James River Basin.
Lake Springfield was created in 1957 by the damming of the James River in southeast Springfield to serve the cooling needs of the James River Power Station. The lake and surrounding area was identified as a redevelopment opportunity area during the City’s Forward SGF comprehensive planning process.
The Plan will include adaptive reuse planning for the decommissioned Power Station and a Plan for the Lake Springfield area encompassing approximately 1,000 acres of publicly owned land. An in-depth Hydrological Study will be conducted to identify feasibility of various opportunities for the Lake and James River and will inform the development of the plan. The Plan will be a catalyst for innovative economic and recreational opportunities, new infrastructure, sustainable water quality and green infrastructure, compatible development which increases the tax base, creates jobs, improves the quality of life of the workforce and their families.
Elements of the Plan
- Recreational Expansion Opportunities
- Economic Opportunities (development and workforce)
- Transportation, Access and Wayfinding
- Land Use Plan – Public Facilities, Cultural and Environmental Resources
Funding
An $800,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), and $200,000 from the Hatch Foundation, City Utilities of Springfield and the City of Springfield’s Environmental Services Department will fund the development of a plan for the area including and surrounding the former coal-powered plant (James River Power Station). Redevelopment will complement Lake Springfield Park and Boathouse, which are jointly operated by CU and the Springfield-Greene County Park Board.
For inquiries about the project, selection process and statements of qualifications, please either use our contact form or email LakeSGFMasterPlan@springfieldmo.gov.
