3 W. Old Capitol Plaza, Suite 15
Springfield
217-544-1723
Established: 1961
Director: Jay Shanle
Employees: 3
Services: nonprofit focused on downtown revitalization
Downtown Springfield Inc. began in 1961 with the mission to preserve, promote and enhance Springfield’s historic central-business district and support a vibrant city center. The nonprofit association currently is led by executive director Jay Shanle, associate director Cassie Grey, and Molly Harms, program director and manager of the Old Capitol Farmers Market. David Lee of Stryker serves as the volunteer board president. DSI is a nationally accredited Main Street organization dedicated to creating and supporting a vibrant neighborhood through collaboration, creativity and leadership.
According to Shanle, DSI’s strongest assets are its ability to communicate, convene and connect the larger community to affect positive change in downtown. “In early 2026, DSI transitioned from a member-based 501(c)(6) to a community focused 501(c)(3) to address challenges of an ever-changing downtown through a strategy focused on arts, culture and entertainment and a resident-first approach,” he said. “DSI will continue its work in economic vitality and supporting residential and mixed-use development while diving deeper into creative placemaking to create a true identity for downtown that looks forward toward solutions, not backwards.”
This article appears in 15 under Fifteen 2026.