Bold New Master Plan for Downtown Springfield and Mid-Illinois Medical District Completed
Springfield community invited to open house highlighting the major elements of the plan
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The City of Springfield, in collaboration with the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln, Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance, Downtown Springfield, Inc., and the Mid-Illinois Medical District, has announced the completion of a Master Plan for Downtown Springfield and the Mid-Illinois Medical District (click to download the plan).
“We are looking forward to sharing this Master Plan with the community as we expect it to serve as a blueprint for the Springfield’s downtown and the Mid-Illinois Medical District for ongoing and future projects,” said Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher. “This document will guide city staff, officials, and community stakeholders in decision making and visioning for downtown Springfield.”
The public is invited to attend the following events to learn more about the plan and ask questions:
Thursday, October 24
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Open House
Memorial Learning Center – 228 W. Miller St., Springfield
Friday, October 25
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM (doors open at 7:30 AM)
Citizen’s Club
Hoogland Center for the Arts – 420 S. Sixth St., Springfield
Tuesday, November 12
5:30 PM
City Council Presentation
“The Master Plan is a clear roadmap for future development in downtown Springfield and the Mid-Illinois Medical District, signaling to developers and business owners that we are ready and eager to grow. Whether it’s a new restaurant, a business supporting the medical industry, or multifamily residential development, this plan offers the certainty needed to invest with confidence in Springfield’s future. The Growth Alliance is excited to share this vision as we continue to attract projects that align with our community’s priorities and foster growth in the City’s core,” said Abby Powell, director of Business Development for the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance.
Springfield formally began work on the Master Plan in late 2021 after residents identified downtown revitalization as one of their priority issues through The Next 10 community visioning initiative spearheaded by the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln.
“The completion of the Master Plan for downtown Springfield and the Mid-Illinois Medical District shows our continued commitment to addressing the priorities that the Springfield community addressed through The Next 10 project,” said John Stremsterfer, president and CEO of the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln. “Just as with The Next 10, robust community input led to many of the recommended elements of the Master Plan.”
“The Mid-Illinois Medical District and Downtown Springfield are two crown jewels in our Capital City – anchors of community health and economic vitality for the region,” added Ryan Croke, president of the Mid-Illinois Medical District Commission. “This Master Plan represents a long-awaited, crucial road map to help us attract the investment and talent that will define our city’s future. Let’s launch!”
“Downtown Springfield has so much potential,” said Carlos Ortega, executive director for Downtown Springfield, Inc. “I am excited to share the elements of this plan and work with our community and our various partners to make this vision become a reality.”
Contact:
Abby Powell, Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance
217-679-3500 ext. 102
Haley Wilson, City of Springfield
217-789-2235, ext.2916
