Springfield agency hears plan for Glenwood Phase 1 infrastructure, estimates $9.97 million

The Springfield Economic Development Agency on Monday heard a staff presentation on next steps for infrastructure in the Glenwood master plan area, including a proposed Phase 1 that staff described as the "minimum viable product" to connect parcels to utilities and the river.

Ally Camp, who led the presentation, said the blue Phase 1 area on the board’s map is intended to provide transportation and pedestrian connections, river-edge open space, sidewalks, lighting and ADA access. "This cost estimate is about $10,000,000, $9,970,000," Camp said, adding the figure is an early estimate that includes substantial contingency and escalation.

Camp framed Phase 1 as a way to unlock development around four adjacent blocks by delivering key utility connections and a first street that would allow multiple landowners to build when they are ready. She said the plan responds to the Glenwood Refinement Plan and community input going back to the district’s creation in 2004 and subsequent planning steps.

Board members pressed staff on implementation details. Board member Rodley asked whether the illustrated roads included sidewalks and lighting; Camp confirmed the master plan contemplates pedestrian-scale lighting, sidewalks, ADA access and intersection treatments. On traffic, Rodley asked how the project might affect circulation along Franklin; Camp said a planned roundabout "will provide a lot of assist of the flow of traffic along Franklin Board Boulevard" and that more will be known once timing for related projects is clear.

Board member Moe asked about the role of Homes for Good; Camp said Homes for Good is a partner in the master-planning step and that the agency is coordinating with multiple partners, including developers selected in a competitive procurement in 2022 and consultant teams cited in the presentation.

Camp walked the board through the near-term timeline: a pre-application land-use meeting was scheduled for Feb. 3 and a required neighborhood/community meeting for Thursday, Feb. 19 from 4–7 p.m. in the River Room at Roaring Rapids. She cautioned that information from the Feb. 3 meeting could delay the submission of the preliminary master plan beyond the optimistic schedule shown in the slides.

Board members offered unanimous or near-unanimous support in the discussion and praised staff for moving the project forward. Board member Ben Gordon emphasized the importance of protecting public access to the river and asked how the agency will move from on-site utilities to private development; Camp said there will be development agreements, property transfers and that a road to the site is required before the developers can proceed.

Camp said project partners and consultants have been advising the agency and that Jill Sherman and Mark Mickis were available on the line for technical questions. She closed by reminding the board of the Feb. 19 community meeting, noting the agency had advertised beyond the minimum 300-foot notice and planned to provide refreshments.

The meeting also approved the consent calendar earlier in the evening; the chair announced the motion passed 6 to 0. The board adjourned after the Glenwood discussion.