By Patrick Yeagle The former Goodwill building on North 11th Street in Springfield is slated to become the new headquarters for a different nonprofit. Capitol Reuse Center Inc. purchased the building at 815 N. 11th St. earlier this year for $15,000 and obtained a permit this week from the City of Springfield to remodel the […]
Government
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Building permit roundup – Aug. 16, 2017
The City of Springfield recently issued the following permits: Capitol Reuse Center LLC obtained a permit for non-structural demolition at 815 N. 11th St. Mark Iversen is the contractor. The project is valued at $3,000. The City of Springfield obtained a permit for remodeling, tuck pointing and sealant work at 800 E. Monroe. The project […]
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Oak Ridge Cemetery seeks new tourism signage – Zoning board roundup
The Springfield Planning and Zoning Commission is slated to consider a zoning reclassification for 101 W. North Grand Ave. to allow for new signage directing visitors to Oak Ridge Cemetery. The request by Cooney Clan LLC and Oak Ridge Cemetery Foundation would allow new signage directing people to the cemetery, Lincoln’s Tomb and the African […]
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City council to consider TIF money for flood mitigation at North Mansion Block
By Patrick Yeagle The City of Springfield hopes to use TIF money to alleviate flooding on Jackson Street downtown, which could facilitate development of the empty North Mansion Block. The city’s economic development panel voted Tuesday to okay a request from the city to use TIF money for the project’s planning. The request now needs […]
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City demolishes former Ridgely village hall after legal battle – Building permit roundup
By Patrick Yeagle The City of Springfield this week began demolishing a north-end building constructed in 1885. A demolition permit was issued this week following a two-year legal battle, during which the building’s owner attempted to establish a hydroponic garden and community center at the site. The Ponics Project owned 1901 Elizabeth St., a 132-year-old […]
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Federal DOT releases funds for Springfield rail project
By Patrick Yeagle Springfield’s ongoing rail relocation project took a step forward last week with the release of $16 million in federal funding. The money, which comes from two grants, will help pay for two new underpasses along the 10th Street rail corridor. The rail relocation project seeks to move the Third Street rail corridor […]
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Davis resigning from Planning and Economic Development
By Patrick Yeagle Karen Davis is resigning as director of Planning and Economic Development for the City of Springfield. Davis made the announcement Tuesday at the Springfield City Council meeting. She has served in the position since June 2015, when she was appointed by Springfield mayor Jim Langfelder. Davis said her next job will be […]
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Downtown TIF to pay for city hall roof repair
By Patrick Yeagle The Springfield City Council on Tuesday approved the use of $757,800 from the city’s downtown TIF to pay for repair of the roof at Springfield’s Municipal Center East. The TIF request was one of three forwarded to the city council by the Springfield Economic Development Commission (EDC) on Tuesday. At a special […]
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State lawmakers pass budget, veto override pending
Illinois may soon have a full budget for the first time in two years, thanks to a handful of Republicans who voted for two budget bills and an accompanying tax increase bill. The Illinois General Assembly passed the trio of bills last week, and the Illinois Senate has already voted on July 4 to override […]
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First high-volume fracking application filed in Illinois
By Patrick Yeagle It’s been four years since Illinois adopted regulations on high-volume hydraulic fracturing, but it was only last month that the first application was filed with state regulators to actually use the controversial oil and gas extraction process. The company seeking the permit says its first well would be for research, part of […]
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City council approves zoning variances for three proposed restaurants – Zoning roundup
The Springfield City Council approved zoning variances for three proposed restaurants on Tuesday. City ordinance limits the locations of establishments selling alcohol. It’s common for restaurants, bars and similar establishments to seek zoning variances allowing them to open in areas otherwise prohibited. At the city council meeting on Tuesday, aldermen approved variances for restaurants at: […]
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O’Hearn confirmed to lead Lincoln Library
The Springfield City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved William O’Hearn as director of Lincoln Library. O’Hearn comes to Springfield from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he was most recently supervisor of the Cedar Rapids Public Library Downtown Branch. He will be paid $85,000 and will have 12 months to establish residency in Springfield.