Mayor Ken McClure | City of Springfield
Mayor Ken McClure | City of Springfield
Springfield City Council has unanimously voted to accept the Lake Springfield Plan after months of extensive analysis and community engagement. The plan, which outlines a vision for the redevelopment of Lake Springfield and James River Power Station property, aims to bring unique opportunities to the Springfield area.
Erin Danastasio, Executive Director of the Hatch Foundation, expressed excitement about the initiative, stating, “We saw this feasibility study as the beginning of an exciting new initiative, with great potential to increase our community’s engagement with the inherent attributes of the Ozarks.”
The plan includes innovative ideas such as creating wetland ecology 'islands' connected by boardwalks to enhance water quality, as explained by Steve Prange from Crawford, Murphy & Tilly. Prange emphasized the benefits of this concept for the area, stating, “The eco island concept would be a huge water quality benefit for the whole area.”
Moreover, the plan envisions connecting Lake Springfield to the James River via a bypass to create more opportunities downriver. Prange highlighted the importance of this connection, stating, “This is more about embracing who we are in the Ozarks and attracting not only an amenity for our locals to enjoy but to attract other people to come to our community and spend some time, spend their money and really enjoy who we are and what we treasure.”
City Manager Jason Gage emphasized the significance of the planning process in potential redevelopment, noting, “The area has a lot of potential for new amenities for future generations, leveraging the beautiful asset of Lake Springfield and its surrounding nature.”
The Lake Springfield Plan, funded through various sources including a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, sets the stage for future phases focusing on funding alternatives and strategic planning to determine the best uses of the property for the community.
The plan is available online for further review at the Lake Springfield Plan website.
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