Springfield — The City Council voted to hold in committee a proposed ordinance that would convey eight city parcels to the Springfield Urban League for $4,000 to support an Urban Futures revitalization initiative.

Dr. Marcus Johnson, president and CEO of the Springfield Urban League, told council members the organization has already assembled a housing-stock survey, is preparing a resident survey and plans community listening sessions to define neighborhood priorities before proposing specific projects. "We are acquiring it to anchor our Urban Futures initiative," Johnson said, describing a plan that would pair land acquisition with state and federal grant-seeking to support community-led development.

Several aldermen said they welcomed the Urban League’s vision but asked that the proposal be discussed with ward representatives and neighborhood stakeholders before final council action. Alderman Sean Gregory, whose ward contains many of the affected blocks, asked that the Urban League meet with him, the new city planner and the mayor to ensure that community input is central to any future plan.

Council agreed to hold the item in committee, scheduling a committee meeting for follow-up and asking staff to connect the Urban League with the new planning director and economic-development staff. Dr. Johnson agreed to meet and said the League would prioritize community surveys and listening sessions before moving forward.

Holding the ordinance preserves the council’s option to vote for or against the sale at a later date; city staff said that while the property would remain pending as the committee considers the item, separate ordinances would be required to sell the parcels to other parties should the council choose a different path.