The vision of Jordan Creek as a greenspace and pedestrian amenity in downtown Springfield is finally taking shape. After nearly two years of construction, the creek that once ran through underground tunnels is expected to bring more life to the urban downtown area starting next spring.
Known as Renew Jordan Creek, the project to "daylight" Jordan Creek and return it to a more natural flow of water on the surface rather than through buried culverts seeks to mitigate flooding and beautify the area. The project spans two large blocks in the urbanized center of Jordan Valley Park, bordered on the east by Boonville Avenue, Water Street and the railway on the south, Main Avenue on the west and Mill Street on the north.
With construction on the project
ongoing for more than a year, area businesses have endured noisy workdays and lengthy road and sidewalk closures. But the end is in sight as construction is expected to finish by the end of 2026.
Tim Rosenbury, the city's director of quality of place initiatives, gave an update on the project to Springfield City Council on Monday, Aug. 31. He said the main portion of the project across the two blocks is 90% complete, though construction of new underground tunnels for the creek between Boonville and the eFactory is roughly 75% complete. These culverts will eventually daylight the creek again as it connects to 404 N. Jefferson Ave. in a future phase.
The vision for the main portion includes a dog park, several outdoor classroom areas, and pedestrian plazas and walkways with spots for food trucks. The goal is for the project to not only alleviate flooding concerns in the greater Jordan Creek basin but also to reinvigorate investment and activity downtown.
The pedestrian esplanades on either side of the creek are largely complete, with colorful lighting installed along the walls of the creek. Smaller green spaces along the esplanades are set to include large Adirondack-style chairs and string lights, Rosenbury said. The creek portion itself is seeing a modest amount of water flow through the excavated area that now includes grass and tree plantings. The fencing for the dog park, as well as some portions of an obstacle course, have been erected though more work is necessary before welcoming four-legged visitors.
While the project contractually must be complete by Dec. 31, Rosenbury said it will likely open in the spring, once the weather lends itself to programming in the outdoor space. In the meantime, he said the city has been having discussions with local stakeholders, including Missouri State University and the Downtown Springfield Association, to clarify roles in the operations of the park.
The total price tag for this phase of the project sits around $38 million and is funded with a variety of grant funds, pandemic relief funds and local allocations, including $6.5 million in special obligation bonds.
Part of the larger Renew Jordan Creek project involves replacement of the Main Avenue bridge to both address deteriorating conditions of the bridge and alleviate flooding from the creek. For years, the city was unable to move forward due to negotiations, and threats of eminent domain, for the Hotel of Terror property at 334 N. Main Ave. Earlier this year, the city announced a sale agreement had been reached for $2 million, though possession will be delayed until Jan. 1, 2027, to allow the haunted attraction to have one final season.
Second phase receives grant funding
Earlier this year, the city received a more than $3.5 million Brownfields Cleanup Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the second phase of the Renew Jordan Creek project. This funding will go toward environmental cleanup activities at 404 and 428 N. Jefferson Ave., which includes the site of a former Meek's Lumber facility near the creek.
The site, which spans roughly 3.8 acres, contains hazardous soil contamination and a historic structure requiring asbestos and lead-based paint abatement. The master plan for this area envisions pickleball courts, esplanade, food hall, a park pavilion and recreation/entertainment space. The grant covers only environmental cleanup costs, not any additional improvements.
In addition to these properties, the larger Renew Jordan Creek master plan also calls for improvements at Founders Park. Those include a 250-seat amphitheater, recreation of a spring, a historical mural and timeline of Springfield's growth. Funding to deliver the envisioned improvements identified in the rest of the master plan has not yet been identified.
Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Have feedback, tips or story ideas? Contact her at mmieze@news-leader.com.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Renew Jordan Creek nears completion, plans to open in spring
