1 A Revitalized And Resilient Downtown

#1

A Revitalized And Resilient Downtown

Downtown Springfield is the heart of the community and region, the seat of state and local government, our cultural center, and the stage for our living history. Its success is our success. Downtown uses have shifted over the decades, slowly making way for an opportunity to rethink what Downtown can be for future generations. To act thoughtfully, we must plan and reimagine.

Downtown Master Plan

A strategy to guide the renaissance of Downtown and strategically connect it to surrounding activity centers. The plan should address: • A strengthened connection between Downtown and the Mid-Illinois Medical District • Development and integration of uses: housing, employment, retail, entertainment, and cultural activity • Economic development, including support to retain and recruit retail and restaurants, employers and other sources of economic activity • Access and connections: one-way vs two-way streets, bicycle lanes, bus and shuttle services • Integration of critical projects and amenities: Third Street Rail Trail, activation of the North Mansion Block, Transportation Hub • Investment in public amenities and spaces: playgrounds and spaces, seating, public restrooms • Physical placemaking to connect assets and make the visitor experience unique • Establishment of a cultural district • Strategies to fund needed improvements, including feasibility for a Special Service Area (SSA)

Promising Ideas

» Continuation and expansion of the alleyway beautification program » Development of more parklets

Illinois State Capitol Complex Renovations

Advancing use of the capital dollars allocated to infrastructure projects by the State of Illinois to create new centers of activity in Downtown Springfield. • The design and activation planning process should include input from the citizens of Springfield • The facilities and planned improvements should be incorporated into the larger vision and master plan for Downtown, especially the Illinois State Armory

Permanent Outdoor Dining Improvements

Make temporary COVID-based regulations around outdoor dining and liquor service permanent to allow greater opportunity for restaurants to succeed, and to support more Downtown activity.

Downtown Springfield is the heartbeat of Springfield and all of Central Illinois. It’s where we work, gather, create new laws, celebrate, and come together. The past year tested our resilience, and we are confident it has made us stronger. The future is very bright for Downtown Springfield and we can’t wait to take the next 10 steps with the community to reimagine that future together.”

LISA CLEMMONS STOTT

Executive Director, Downtown Springfield, Inc.

DID YOU KNOW?

Downtown Springfield is home to a 12-acre historic district that encompasses the Old State Capitol and Springfield’s oldest commercial district.

In addition to serving as the seat of government for the City of Springfield, Sangamon County and the State of Illinois, Downtown is also

home to the Illinois General Assembly, the Illinois Supreme Court and the Office of the Governor of Illinois.

The Mid-Illinois Medical District is a onesquare mile area just to the north of

Downtown established in 2003 by an act of the Illinois General Assembly to support patient care, biomedical research, new medical technologies and advanced medical related activities. It is anchored by Memorial Medical Center, HSHS St. John’s Hospital, the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, and Springfield Clinic.