Council hears Springfield Project presentation; alderman proposes local levy-district alternative

Council considered an ordinance to contract with Springfield Project for a comprehensive strategic economic development plan and an annual payment. Mister Watson presented the organization’s work: an incubator for underserved businesses, an accelerator in partnership with the SIU system, cultural district development, and reentry supports including record sealing and expungement assistance.

Mister Watson summarized the presentation materials and said the contract would supplement existing city efforts. "It's to supplement funding for the things that we're already doing at a high level," he said, and pointed council members to a distributed presentation.

Alderman Gregory questioned whether the phrase "comprehensive and cohesive strategic plan" matched the organization's scope and said he planned to submit a replacement levy-district redevelopment ordinance. Gregory described a locally controlled, TIF-based model focused on Wards 2 and 3 that would preserve the historical character of 'across the tracks' areas and allow immediate phase execution without dependence on external financing. He said he would submit an amendment to increase Springfield Project funding from $75,000 to $125,000 to support work specific to those wards.

Gregory described the district as containing more than 30 operating commercial businesses and said the plan would emphasize small-scale, phased investments, including potential hotel/motel tax reinvestment and leveraging private capital. He said the replacement ordinance would preserve redevelopment intent but change implementation and financing mechanisms.

The presentation and the Alderman’s intent to propose a replacement ordinance were discussed; the council moved the item for debate and asked for the written amendment to be submitted for next week's packet.