BY MICHELLE OWNBEY
One sure sign of spring is construction projects taking shape all over town, and with the City of Springfield issuing commercial permits worth more than $26 million dollars in the first quarter of 2018, there are plenty of them in progress. Not surprisingly, most of the high dollar projects tend to be in the Mid-Illinois Medical District, with Memorial Health System, HSHS St. John’s Hospital and Springfield Clinic all in the midst of major renovations at multiple locations. However, a number of new businesses are also preparing to open in Springfield, including retail stores Here Today and HomeGoods, two locations for the daycare franchise Little Minds Learning Center, and ice cream franchise Sweet Charlie’s. Local restaurateur Will Hoecker has started a new venture called Papo’s Café and brothers Adam, John and Mike Zerkle are preparing to open Anvil & Forge Brewing and Distilling Co. downtown. Many other businesses are expanding or remodeling, with the majority of the construction activity concentrated on the west and south sides of Springfield. Here’s an overview of what’s been happening since the beginning of the year:
Here Today, a discount store with an ever-changing inventory of items at closeout prices, is getting ready to open a Springfield location at 1774 West Wabash. Evans Construction is the general contractor for the 17,400 square feet currently under construction in the Chatham Square Shopping Center. The project is valued at $1,195,000. Here Today, based in St. Louis, offers everything from home décor and accessories to food and beverages.
The former AIG office building, now occupied by HSHS Medical Group Corporate Services, is being remodeled. Founders Properties obtained a commercial demolition permit for 3051 Hollis Drive. O’Shea Builders is the contractor and the project is valued at $25,000. It also obtained a commercial remodel permit for building modifications at the same address; that project is valued at $863,799.
Three different local dental practices are getting ready to consolidate their offices into the building at 3820 Wabash that has been taking shape next to Dick Van Dyke Appliance World. Montvale Dental Care closed its location in November and moved into Springfield Dental Care, which currently operates out of a building at 2965 S. MacArthur. Westside Dental Group is currently located at 2633 Chatham Road. All three dentists will be combining their practices into the new 6,000-square-foot building that is currently under construction. Professional Resource Development obtained a permit for the project, valued at $1 million. The contractor is Bucker, Kentucky-based Jacobs Group, Inc., and subcontractors include Karhliker Plumbing and Allied Plumbing and Heating. While the new location will be known as Springfield Dental Care, it will be operating under the umbrella of Heartland Dental Care, a company based out of Effingham that provides support services to more than 800 practices throughout the United States.
The Gander Mountain in Springfield closed at the end of last year but will soon be reopening as a Gander Outdoors. Gander Outdoors is owned by Camping World Holdings, which purchased the Gander Mountain assets as part of bankruptcy proceedings in 2017. National Retail properties obtained a commercial building permit for an interior remodel at 2371 Chuckwagon Dr. DBS Group is the contractor and the project is valued at $450,000. Subcontractors include B & B Electrical, Inc. and Ace Sign Co.
The recently constructed 9,600-square-foot retail building at 3450 Liberty Drive, directly across from Sky Zone, has its first tenant. Sue Schwartz, owner of Gypsy Soul, Gypsy Tribe and Gypsy Dreamer, has consolidated all three of her locations into one 5,400-square-foot store. A second company, Sweet Charlie’s, has announced plans to take 1,686 square feet in the same building. Sweet Charlie’s prepares made-to-order ice cream and frozen yogurt on a surface that is below 20 degrees, allowing small ice crystals to quickly form. It will be the first Illinois location for the company founded in 2015 in Philadelphia. RAM Innovations, LLC obtained commercial remodel permits for the interior build outs. Other contractors include Ruby Electric, Mundhenke Plumbing Company, and Ridings Plumbing.
Aldi Food Market has been remodeling all three of its Springfield locations. The company obtained a commercial mechanical permit for 3425 Freedom Dr. for general remodeling and upgrades to the Aldi store. The contractor is Decatur-based King-Lar Company, and the project is valued at $600,000.
Two new businesses are preparing to open and a third is adding an additional location in a newly constructed strip center on the west side of Springfield. Longtime local business Primo Designs is expanding, having recently signed a lease for a second location in the newly built West Iles Business Center, which also includes space for Little Minds Learning Center and two additional tenants. An adjacent stand-alone building will be Papo’s Café. Ben Call, a broker with The Real Estate Group, is the developer for the new center. Call has obtained a commercial remodel permit for the build-outs. The contractor is R. Hopkins Builders and other contractors include Ryan Electrical, Inc. and Allied Plumbing and Heating.
The former Office Max location is being remodeled as HomeGoods prepares to open a Springfield location. A chain of discount home furnishing stores, HomeGoods has hundreds of locations nationwide. TJX Companies, Inc. obtained a commercial demolition permit for an interior, non-structural demo at 2951 W. Iles Ave. and a remodel permit for the same address for a project valued at $800,000. Tower Commercial Construction is the contractor for both projects. Other contractors include Prairie State, Inc. and B & B Electric, Inc.
In January, Blue Cross Blue Shield announced they were leasing the remaining 30,000 square feet of space in the building at 3200 Robbins Road that they previously occupied. The two-story office building in the Southwest Plaza office park is nearly 76,000 square feet total. Last summer, accounting firm Kerber, Eck & Braeckel LLP left its office in the Myers Building downtown and moved into the second floor of the Robbins Road building, which is also the new home of Perten Instruments. BCBS is keeping their current office at 3045 Liberty Drive and moving 200 employees back into the Robbins Road location. AC Building has obtained a commercial remodeling permit for the project, valued at $400,000. The contractor is Evans Construction Company and AC Building also obtained a commercial electric remodel permit for work to be done by B & B Electrical, Inc.
The former law office building that was occupied by Hodge Dwyer & Driver before its merger with HeplerBroom early last year is now being renovated as a day care.
The nearly 7,000-square-foot building is located in the Park South business park just off Stevenson Drive. Little Minds Learning Center is a day care franchise that was founded 10 years ago by Stacy and Todd Barnhardt. There are seven operating locations in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Colorado and Nebraska and their website lists another 19 as coming soon, including many in the Chicago suburbs and central Illinois area. Little Minds will also have a location anchoring the newly built West Iles Business Center.
Roland Partners LLC has obtained a commercial remodeling permit for 3150 Roland Ave., Lot 5 Park South. The contractor is Joyner Construction Services, and the project is valued at $275,000.
Other recent permits for projects in this area include:
Springfield Clinic has obtained a commercial remodeling permit for 1025 S. Sixth St. The permit covers a mechanical, electrical and plumbing remodel of the GI procedure room at Springfield Clinic’s Main Campus East. The contractor is Springfield-based O’Shea Builders, and the project is valued at $200,000.
Shiva Developments obtained a commercial building permit for a new building at Shiva Plaza at 2730 S. Sixth St. Joyner Construction Services is the contractor and the project is valued at $600,000.
Aldi Food has obtained a commercial remodeling permit for 3736 Octavus Via. The permit covers electrical and mechanical remodeling work. The contractor is Decatur-based King-Lar Company, and the project is valued at $600,000.
Solon, LLC obtained a commercial building permit for an interior remodel at 3812 Octavus Via. Joyner Construction Services is the contractor and the project is valued at $100,000.
Solon, LLC obtained a commercial electric permit for work at 3804 Octavus Via. Speeks Electric is the contractor and the project is valued at $50,000.
Springfield Park District obtained a commercial electric remodel permit for work at the structure at Henson Robinson Zoo. Prairie State Plumbing and Heating, Inc. is the contractor and the project is valued at $320,900.
AMC Springfield 8, located in the Capital City Shopping Center, has recently completed a multimillion-dollar renovation project that included adding plush recliner seats and new movie screens and sound systems. The theater is also the only one in the Springfield market with a liquor license, allowing it to offer a line of adult beverages in addition to an enhanced menu selection. (May 2018. Plush recliners, wine and a movie, Springfield Business Journal) Capital City Trust, c/o Mid-America Asset Mgt., obtained a commercial plumbing remodeling permit to add head over soda dispensers and other work and fixtures at 2946 S. Dirksen Parkway. The contractor is F. J. Murphy & Son, Inc. and the project is valued at $2,247,973.
A 5,800-square-foot visual arts center is under construction on the campus of the Springfield Art Association, which will house a studio for ceramics, metal and glass blowing. The SAA has raised $1.2 million in private funds over the past several years and also received $450,000 in TIF financing from the Enos Park TIF District. The SAA obtained a new commercial building permit for the project valued at $900,000. The electrical contractor is Lindsay Electric, Inc.
Other recent permits for projects in this area include:
Aldi Foods obtained a commercial building permit for work at the 2731 N. Dirksen Parkway location. The contractor is Mariottini Construction and the project is valued at $1,300,000.
Rush Enterprises obtained a commercial building permit for 3441 Gatlin Dr. for an addition and remodeling at Rush Truck Center, located off Sangamon Avenue. The contractor is Cambridge Companies, Inc. and the project is valued at $1 million. Allied Plumbing and Heating is a subcontractor on the project.
Morpho Trust obtained a commercial remodel permit for 3461 Gatlin Dr. Joyner Construction Services is the contractor and the project is valued at $250,000. Request Electric and Wilkin Plumbing are subcontractors on the project.
The Springfield Police Department obtained a new commercial building permit for a K-9 kennel facility at 3501 Color Plant Rd. Cloyd Builders, Inc. is the contractor and the project is valued at $449,108.
Economic Growth Corporation, a company based in Rock Island, is moving forward with renovation of the former First United Methodist Church at 501 E. Capitol. In September of 2017, Economic Growth Corporation won approval from the city council to increase TIF financing from $985,000 to nearly $1.7 million. The project will include 25 apartments, a mix of nine two-bedroom units and 16 one-bedroom units. The Greater Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce has committed to being an anchor tenant for the commercial space. In addition to the Chamber’s office space, the property includes 1,300 square feet for commercial uses and an additional 1,500 square feet of space once used as a kitchen. (September 14, 2017. Downtown Church Renovation Moves Ahead, Illinois Times) The contractor is O’Shea Builders and the project is valued at $5.8 million.
James and Carol Zerkle obtained a commercial mechanical permit for remodeling work at Anvil & Forge at 619 E. Washington. Henson Robinson Company is the contractor and the project is valued at $10,000.
Brothers Adam, John and Mike Zerkle plan to open Anvil & Forge Brewing and Distilling Co. this summer and have the whiskey distilling portion ready a few months later. They plan to focus distribution in the Springfield area first, providing kegs to bars and restaurants and using a canning line to package their beer for supermarkets and liquor stores. (May 2018. The business of beer, Springfield Business Journal)
Other significant projects underway downtown include:
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran obtained a commercial permit for work at 220 S. Second St. The contractor is Request Electric and the project is valued at $700,000.
Illinois State Police Heritage obtained a commercial building permit for the Illinois State Police Memorial Park site at 615 E. Lawrence.
R. D. Lawrence is the contractor and the project is valued at $2,580,000.
BB Properties obtained a commercial remodel permit for 1800 E. Washington for an update and parking lot project that is valued at $626,665.
Memorial Medical Center
Commercial remodel permit for 701 N. First St. O’Shea Builders is the contractor and the project is valued at $1.9 million.
Commercial remodeling permit for 701 N. First St., 2E. The permit covers mechanical, electrical and plumbing work. The contractor is Springfield-based O’Shea Builders, and the project is valued at $4.5 million.
Commercial electric remodel permit for 701 N. First St. Senergy Electric, Inc. is the contractor and the project is valued at $1.9 million.
Permit for renovation of the morgue, which is located in the lower level lab building at Memorial Medical Center at 701 N First St. The contractor is Springfield-based E.L. Pruitt Company, and the project is valued at $293,536.
Springfield Clinic
Commercial electric permit for 800 N. First St. B & B Electric is the contractor and the project is valued at $345,000.
Commercial remodel permit for the Ortho 1st Clinic at 800 N. First St., lower level. O’Shea Builders is the contractor and the project is valued at $25,000.
Springfield Clinic Partnership obtained a commercial remodel permit for 900 N. First Street. O’Shea Builders is the contractor and the project is valued at $15,000.
St. John’s Hospital
Commercial remodeling permit for various mechanical work at 400 N. Ninth St., the contractor is E.L. Pruitt. A commercial electrical permit was also issued for work at the same address, the contractor is Anderson Electric. The total project is valued at $17.5 million.
Commercial plumbing permits for new fixtures at 400 N. Ninth St., Suite B and Suite C. G. A. Rich and Sons, Inc. is the contractor for both projects. The project at Suite B is valued at $4,140,000 and the project at Suite C is valued at $1,004,000.
Nonstructural demo permit for 415 N. Ninth St. O’Shea Builders is the contractor and the project is valued at $109,713.
Commercial building permit for remodeling work at 415 N. Ninth Street. The contractor is O’Shea Builders and the project is valued at $1,938,498.
Commercial remodeling permit for 415 N. Ninth St. The permit covers replacement café equipment at Hop N Go, located in the Carol Jo Vecchie Women & Children’s Center. The contractors are Springfield-based B&B Electrical, Inc. and Springfield-based Henson Robinson Company and the project is valued at $80,000.
Commercial plumbing permit for 500 N. Ninth St. E. L. Pruitt Company is the contractor and the project is valued at $7,429,329.
Commercial building permit for 500 N. Ninth St. The permit is for the St. John’s Madison Street parking ramp. The contractor is Springfield-based O’Shea Builders, and the project is valued at $7,429,329.
Commercial electric permit for the smokestack at 800 E. Carpenter. The contractor is B & B Electrical, Inc. and the project is valued at $2,479,478.