City Hall renovations and professional soccer on SGF City Council agenda

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — On Tuesday, Dec. 16, the Springfield City Council will be discussing renovations to City Hall and the possibility of a professional soccer team coming to Springfield.

Over $4.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds from the COVID-19 pandemic are being used to help pay for the renovations to City Hall, which will cost over $16 million. City Council Member Brandon Jenson says the purpose of this discussion in tomorrow's meeting is to decide if the city should use more of these federal funds.

"The 4.5 is what has already been allocated from the ARPA funding to the historic City Hall project. This bill is adding an additional $50,000 from the ARPA funding to the historic City Hall project," says Jenson.

Due to the renovations, City Council has not met in the City Hall building for over a year. Jenson is eager for the building to play a part in the Springfield community again.

"Your city hall and your civic institutions are really the face of your community," says Jenson. "It's where citizens go to directly interact with their elected officials and the staff that make everything run at the city."

The goal of the renovations is to preserve the historical charm of the building while modernizing the space. This would include adding an elevator and replacing the roof and windows.

Jenson explained that if the city does not spend these federal funds, they will be lost.

"The funds have to be obligated to a project by December 31st, 2024. So that's the deadline that the city is really running up against," he said.

At tomorrow's meeting, City Council will also be discussing the letter of intent from the United Soccer League to participate in a feasibility study about bringing a professional soccer team to Springfield.

"This is a cost-sharing agreement where the cost for conducting that feasibility study is going to be split 50/50 by the United Soccer League and by the City of Springfield," says Jenson.

The City Hall renovations are expected to be completed by June 2026. The City Council meeting will start tomorrow at 6:30 p.m.