SEES Seminar: "Minding the GAP: Springfield's New Grant Avenue Parkway"

Randall Whitman, principal planner with the City of Springfield's (Missouri) Planning and Development Department and Tim Rosenbury, director of quality of place initiatives with the City of Springfield's city manager team will make a presentation on the Grant Avenue Parkway plan. 

In 2019, the City of Springfield was awarded a federal BUILD Grant to fund the Grant Avenue Parkway (GAP), which is scheduled to be completed in late 2024. GAP is envisioned as a multi-modal connector between two of Springfield's most-visited attractions: downtown and the Wonders of Wildlife aquarium and museum. In addition, the public investment is intended to stimulate private investment, increase quality of life and serve as a model for further public and private reinvestment in Springfield. This presentation will cover the city's objectives and process of applying for and being awarded the BUILD Grant, delivering the GAP capital project, planning and rezoning along the GAP corridor and economic development incentives on the GAP. This presentation will also include the development community's response to GAP and their economic impacts so far. The presenation will conclude with observations regarding the lessons learned so far and how the city may apply them to other initiatives.

Whitman has been with the City of Springfield for 18 years, currently assigned to managing the department's Planning and Neighborhoods Division. He also corrdinates the development of the city's annual capital improvements program, nieghborhood conservation and planning activities and comprehensive planning projects. The comprehensive planning projects include the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan - Forward SGF.

Rosenbury, AIA, has practiced architecture for 40 years. He joined the City of Spiringfield in 2020. As the director of quality of place initiatives, he collaborates with other city departments and outside entities on plans and policies, capital and private projects and advocacy and engagement for advancing the Springfield City Council's priority of quality of place.

Free