SPRINGFIELD – In May 2025, the Springfield Economic Development Agency (SEDA) listed 765 A St. for sale for $575,000. On Tuesday night, the SEDA council agreed to sell the property to Ike Olsson, local business owner of the Springfield Drifters baseball team.
The historic Memorial Building, built in 1949, is associated with the City’s early development. Located in the heart of downtown Springfield, it is zoned for Public Land and Open Space. With its central position in the City’s historical and cultural landscape, the building reflects the City’s growth and evolution over the years.
The building has a gymnasium, open space, and office areas. According to an online listing, it is an ideal space for creative reuse, redevelopment, or community uses.
The Drifters are a summer collegiate baseball team part of the West Coast League.
According to Allie Camp, economic development manager, the facility will be used for the Springfield Drifters Baseball Club and Drifters Academy, and is consistent with the City’s Downtown Urban Renewal Plan.
The DURP’s primary goal is to eliminate blight and support the revitalization of downtown businesses. According to the City’s DURP document created in 2007, “Urban renewal is ideal for the encouragement of the type of high quality, commercial, industrial, residential and mixed use development that is vital to the economic growth of the City of Springfield.”
The purchase and sale agreement and next steps for the old Memorial Building passed unanimously across the board.
