The June 19 fire that destroyed a building and impacted multiple businesses in the 400 block of East Adams Street left a hole in the downtown landscape, further challenging the area with finding ways to engage the community and grow. But with loss comes potential for renewal. A recently released master plan for rebuilding and redeveloping the city center and the Mid-Illinois Medical District reveals the needs, ideas and potential for reshaping the area. With that plan is a call for support of area organizations and citizens.
The Downtown Springfield Heritage Foundation is a nonprofit organization which supports, enhances, promotes and preserves the historic, architectural, artistic and cultural heritage of Abraham Lincoln's hometown through education, preservation and beautification. "Currently, our efforts involve assisting the Adams Street property owners affected by the fire in any way we can," said DSHF board member Scott Troehler. "Included in that is ensuring no other buildings on the block are demolished."
Over the past few years, DSHF has accelerated part of its mission with cultural activities and beautification, including partnering with Downtown Springfield Inc. Board members have included well-known community leaders in the fields of architecture, development, business, tourism and marketing.
Troehler said, "One of our most popular saves was the 125-year-old Bunn-Sankey House," which became the new home for the Wolter, Beeman, Lynch & Londrigan law firm in 2010. It was built in 1883 by George W. Bunn, whose family founded Bunn Capitol Wholesale Grocery Co. and Bunn-O-Matic Corp.
In 2019, DSHF played a key role in facilitating the redevelopment of 312 E. Adams St., now owned by Martin and Laurie Haxel. The long-vacant property was donated to DSHF, whch then issued a request for proposals and sold the building at nominal cost to the Haxels, based on their renovation plans. In 2023, Downtown Springfield Inc. recognized the Haxel's 312 E. Adams Street apartments with the Best New Renovation award. The lower level is occupied by The Keep Store.
"Our experience with DSHF was wonderful," said Laurie Haxel. "We are thankful that the previous owners worked with the Heritage Foundation and that our proposal was accepted. Otherwise, we would not have been able to develop it into commercial space and townhouses." Haxel continued, "We would encourage anyone to work with DSHF in support of their mission. Truthfully, we also had a lot of support from many others in the downtown community. Those with experience in rehabbing were kind enough to guide us through many of the processes that we were unfamiliar with. We're happy to pay it forward by sharing our experiences."
The Haxels are now planning to tackle the long-vacant building at the corner of Fourth and Adams streets. "We bought the building ourselves without involvement of the Heritage Foundation," said Haxel. "We are interested in the property because it's a beautiful building with solid bones. We want to support and invest in the neighborhood and downtown."
The Haxels have renovated the properties at 310-316 E. Adams St. on their own, but because there is so much to be done to the building at 322 E. Adams St. the couple has requested $1.5 million in TIF money toward the projected $3 million renovation costs. The Springfield Economic and Community Development Commission reviewed a request at its Nov. 21 meeting but it has not yet been presented to the city council.
As the building was vacant for 30-plus years, basic systems such as plumbing, HVAC, electrical and the elevator must be updated to make it usable for tenants, said Haxel. "There is water damage inside, and we've already replaced the roof to prevent structural damage. Since it is a historically significant example of mid-century architecture, we intend to maintain the façade and character, including the impressive gold lighting in the entryway. If TIF funds are approved, we plan to rehabilitate all three floors."
Troehler said DSHF is currently involved with a project to help restore Springfield's Black firehouse, located at what is now 1310 E. Adams St. In 1902, Springfield created an all-Black firehouse to segregate Black firefighters from their white counterparts. Firefighters from that building responded to blazes of the 1908 Springfield race riot. DSHF donated funds for the façade restoration and is looking for grants to help cover additional costs.
"We've also been in touch with the owners of the Ridgely building," Troehler continued, referring to the 12-story building at the southeast corner of Fifth and Monroe streets. "Our efforts involve assisting them in either selling (the property) or possibly donating it to us. We would like to see that building adaptively repurposed into apartments," he said.
Troehler said another DSHF initiative is part of an effort to increase homeownership. "We've been exploring a small homeownership program with housing near downtown. We envision property owners donating property to DSHF, thus receiving a tax credit. We then would rehab and renovate the houses, then sell to owners who would occupy them," he said.
The Downtown Springfield Heritage Foundation contributed financially to the master plan through DSI, and Troehler said the board is excited about the direction and opportunities it puts forward.
Janet Seitz is a local communications professional, writer and artist. To share your story, contact her at janetseitz1@gmail.com.
