Pastor urges Springfield Economic Development Agency to consider $575,000 offer for Springfield Memorial Building

Chad Reeves, a pastor at Gospel Community Church, asked the Springfield Economic Development Agency at its Oct. 13 meeting to review a formal proposal from his congregation to purchase the Springfield Memorial Building in downtown Springfield. Reeves said the church is offering the full asking price of $575,000 and would assume utility responsibilities for the property.

Reeves said the church has “over 200 people in our congregation” and more than five employees and that the proposal would increase downtown activity and contribute payroll taxes. “We will offer the full purchase price asked for $575,000,” Reeves said. He added that Gospel Community Church would be open to negotiating a payment in lieu of taxes and would open the building to community programming, such as after-school programs and school partnerships.

City staff did not take a vote on the proposal at the meeting. Chair Rodley introduced the public-comment speaker and then returned the meeting to the agenda after Reeves finished. Reeves said the building is “sitting there” and “rotting,” and that the church’s proposal would remove maintenance and liability burdens from the city.

No board member made a formal motion or took a vote on the purchase proposal during the meeting. Reeves’ remarks were made during the meeting’s public-comment period and are a request for the board and relevant city staff to review and consider the written proposal he said Gospel Community Church submitted.