City & Government, Springfield

SEDA OKs request for study on Springfield Buick site

The Springfield Economic Development Agency approved a request to fund a feasibility study on a proposal to redevelop the former site of Springfield Buick.
The Scherer family of Scherer Investment Co. wants to redevelop the property at 702 A Street for residential and commercial use. Springfield Buick operated from 1948 to 2019 when the business closed after a retirement.
The Scherers are requesting financial help to complete the initial assessment estimated at $110,000. The family sought $85,000 in SEDA funds to help assist in architectural massing studies for new middies buildings, cost assessment, economic feasibility assessment and environmental assessment (ESA) phase II.
With the funds approved, work would begin immediately with a goal of assessment completion by mid-2020 and targeted construction in 2021.
SEDA board member and Mayor Christine Lundberg said that this is another opportunity to tie A street to Main Street and extend downtown.
“I’m very supportive,” she said at the board’s March 9 meeting.
SEDA Board Chair and City Councilor Marilee Woodrow said that she’s excited to see this request come through, particularly because of the Scherers’ standing in the community.
“The reputation of the people we’re working with stands a lot for me,” she said. “I’m willing to take an investment risk; that works for me.”
SEDA board member and City Councilor Joe Pishioneri made a motion to approve the request, and Lundberg seconded; the motion passed unanimously.

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