Winners of 2017 Best Places to Work awards announced
United Community Bank and Springfield Business Journal are announcing the 2017 Best Places to Work awardees. To be eligible, businesses must have 35 or more employees and be located within Sangamon or Menard counties. These businesses each have earned the award by showing a commitment to their employees and their communities. The 2017 Best…
Smashburger closes Springfield location
The Springfield location of Smashburger has closed. A spokeswoman for the company said the “underperforming” store closed on Jan. 11. “We consistently review our restaurant portfolio and make strategic decisions to better our position for the future,” said Smashburger spokeswoman Katy Michael. “Unfortunately, from time to time, we must close underperforming stores that don’t meet…
Major Engineering Firms
Eng_List_JAN2017 PDF
St. John’s Hospital prepares to build $48m facility on Ninth Street
By Patrick Yeagle HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield is drawing closer to building a new facility along Ninth Street, focusing on women’s and children’s health. The hospital’s plans received a favorable vote at a land use meeting on Jan. 5, and a state oversight board is slated to consider the plans in March. The…
Panther Creek West subdivision planning expansion
By Patrick Yeagle Panther Creek West subdivision on Springfield’s west side is slated to begin an expansion later this year. The plans are still being vetted by city and county agencies, but the owners hope to begin construction as soon as possible. Darrel Thoma with Downson Farms says his family’s company, which is planning the…
A life of courage and generosity – Remembering Mary Therese “M.T.” Vann
By Patrick Yeagle She grew up the only girl with five brothers. Maybe that was where Mary Therese Vann first learned to hold her own. Known as M.T. to many, Mary Therese Vann of Springfield died Dec. 31, 2016, leaving a respected legacy of making her own way in the worlds of business and social…
Book review – You simply must…
100 Things to Do in Springfield, IL Before You Die By Patrick Yeagle It’s easy to take for granted the places we see every day. Sometimes, we need a fresh look to appreciate all that Springfield has to offer. In her recent book, 100 Things to Do in Springfield, IL Before You Die, Springfield author…
Route 66 Hotel sold
The Route 66 Hotel and Conference Center in Springfield has a new owner. Anoop Kataria purchased the hotel on Dec. 30 from previous owners Frank Vala of Springfield and William Vala of Cantrall. Kataria, a hotelier since 1991, says he recently moved to Springfield after selling the hotels he owned in Massachusetts. He plans to…
National politics won’t affect next phase of rail relocation
By Patrick Yeagle Federal funding for the next phase of Springfield’s rail relocation is secure, meaning the project likely won’t be affected by the new president-elect and change in Congressional control. Meanwhile, improvements on the Third Street rail continue, but won’t endanger plans to move that rail traffic to 10th Street. The rail relocation project…
A look at Springfield’s panhandling ordinance
By Sarah Delano Pavlik Freelance Contributor If you work downtown, you are well aware of some of the aggressive panhandlers in Springfield. An encounter with one of them can be a little frightening, especially after dark. In response to this problem, the Springfield City Council passed an ordinance in 2007 making it illegal to panhandle…
New life downtown for empty church
By Patrick Yeagle A long-vacant downtown building is slated for a major renovation, pending city council approval of nearly $1 million in tax increment financing funds. The plan calls for the empty former Methodist church at 501 E. Capitol Ave. in downtown Springfield to be converted to a mix of business and residential space, including…
Springfield’s big dig
An architect reflects on the 1960s Old State Capitol facelift By Catherine O’Connor Freelance Contributor In the early 1960s, the capital city’s downtown corridor was the home to bustling shops of all kinds, including the Hub Clothiers, Fishman’s Sporting Goods, Black’s Hardware store, Myers Brother’s, Bressmer’s, and S.A. Barker’s department stores, Shadid’s book store, various…
