What do you want Springfield to look like in 20 years? Forward SGF, the official name for the next comprehensive city plan for Springfield, is underway.
This long-range, community-wide plan will help City Council chart out improvements for Springfield for the next two decades. So, leaders are seeking community feedback.
Randall Whitman, the principal planner for the city’s planning and development department, said that this plan acts as a roadmap for the city.
“The plan represents an opportunity to ask our citizens what kind of community they want. And that helps to guide those recommendations that go into the plan for future decisions and future policy considerations,” says Whitman.
He adds that if city officials want the plan to work, they need to make sure that the community is on board with changes to taxes, policy, and programs.
One of several workshops on the plan will take place on Sept. 4, and it’s open to the public. The workshop will be at the Northview Center at 301 E Talmage Street from 6-8 p.m. Citizens who can't attend a workshop can still participate by filling out an online questionnaire at www.fowardsgf.com.
The chair of the proposed committee is Dr. Thomas Prater, a lifelong Springfield resident.
“I want to be able to sit on my front porch in the rocking chair in my senior years and say, ‘Wow, we really put the city in the right direction,’” Prater said.
City Council formed its first comprehensive plan at the turn of the century, and that resulted in additions like Jordan Valley Park and the Springfield Expo Center.
Addtional workshops will take place on September 5th at the Forward SGF Planning Studio, 351 N. Boonville Ave. from 2-4 p.m. and on September 6th at Kickapoo High School, 3710 S. Jefferson Ave. from 6-8 p.m. You can also conduct your own DIY workshop.
For the full advisroy committee list and more information, click here.