The Springfield Historic Commission voted to include an intensive level survey (ILS) of the F.W. Woolworth Building at 612 Main Street in its 2026 work plan and directed staff to prepare a detailed budget that keeps the commission's request under standard city procurement thresholds.

Karen Johnson, a consultant for the Springfield Renaissance Development Corporation (SRDC), told the commission the building "retains historic qualities" and said SRDC had "identified the Woolworth building on 612 Main Street" as a candidate for an ILS to document its architectural features, history and potential for adaptive reuse with the adjacent Wildish Theatre. SRDC proposed the survey would include measured drawings, photographs and research to upload into the state's historic resource database and estimated the full ILS could cost in the $10,000–$15,000 range.

Commissioners and SRDC representatives discussed ways to reduce direct contract costs, including working with the University of Oregon historic preservation program. Johnson said the university director (Amalia) had agreed to be the responsible professional for student work and that SRDC could contribute funds for specialized imaging if needed. Commissioners raised procurement questions and noted that keeping the commission's request under $10,000 would simplify contracting; one commissioner said the commission should try to limit the ask to $9,999 so the project could be managed without higher-threshold procurement procedures.

Before the vote, one commission member made an on-the-record disclosure: "I feel like I need to disclose that I have so many conflicts of interest here," citing roles with the historic commission, SRDC and as a consultant to the property owner. That disclosure was entered on the record; the speaker did not recuse.

A motion directing staff (Tom and Elise) to prepare a budget and work plan that included a window workshop, a railroad plaque and printing, consultant fees and medallions for heritage awards, and the Woolworth ILS (with a planning target at or below the $10,000 procurement threshold) was moved and seconded. The motion passed by voice vote; one commissioner stated, "I feel like I should abstain," and the chair recorded the abstention. "The majority being in the affirmative, the motion is adopted," the chair said.

The commission did not adopt a final dollar figure at the meeting; it directed staff to return in January with a proposed budget tied to the work plan items. SRDC said it would continue fundraising and could contribute to imaging/GPR costs if the city's grant did not cover that element. The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.

What happens next: staff will prepare a budget and bring detailed numbers to the commission in the next meeting cycle; commissioners identified January as the month for budget adoption and emphasized the commission's preference to remain under the $10,000 threshold where feasible.