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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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City asks for $425,000 from TIF, previously gave $118,000 for same property
By Patrick Yeagle The City of Springfield wants $425,000 in TIF money to buy an empty building downtown. It previously gave $118,000 in TIF to help renovate the same building in 2008. The current proposal would raise the city’s use of TIF funds for the building to $543,000, and it’s unclear whether further funds would […]
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City wants to buy vacant downtown building with TIF funds
The Springfield Economic Development Commission today approved a plan by the City of Springfield to purchase a vacant downtown building with TIF funds. The proposal would mean an empty building occupied but taken off the property tax rolls, raising questions from some commission members about its sustainability and the city’s standards for approving TIF. Springfield […]
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Lisa Rakey steps down from Big Brothers, Big Sisters – Mia Woods is new executive director
Lisa Rakey has stepped down as executive director of Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Illinois Capital Region. Rakey’s successor, Mia Woods, started in her new role on Monday, although Rakey will stay involved as a volunteer. Rakey, whose last day as executive director was Dec. 9, was first hired at Big Brothers, Big Sisters […]
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HSHS faces pair of pension lawsuits – SCOTUS to hear challenge to religious exemption in related cases
By Patrick Yeagle Hospital Sisters Health System in Springfield faces a pair of lawsuits over alleged pension underfunding, but the cases are really about challenging an exemption to a federal pension law which religious hospitals nationwide enjoy. The U.S. Supreme Court today announced it will hear three separate but related cases against different religious health […]
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Grojean Real Estate changes hands in Jacksonville
Charles Grojean has been in real estate around Jacksonville since 1970, and he jokes that it was about time for him to have an “exit strategy.” Grojean sold his company, Grojean Real Estate, earlier this year, but he’s sticking around for the foreseeable future. Mike Hayes, a real estate broker, developer and landlord in Jacksonville, […]
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Smartphones are key at downtown hotel
A hotel in downtown Springfield announced yesterday that guests can now use their smartphones to check in and access their rooms without a separate key. The President Abraham Lincoln Springfield – A Double Tree by Hilton announced its initiative Nov. 30, saying it’s the first hotel in Springfield to offer such services. It’s a commercial […]
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Fairhills Shopping Center sold to new owner
Fairhills Shopping Center has a new owner and a new vision following a sale this month. Changes at Fairhills could include new national retailers and a reconfiguration of some retail space. Fairhills is on Springfield’s northeast side, bounded by Washington Street, Chatham Road and Monroe Avenue. It hosts a handful of restaurants, a County Market […]