CITY OF SPRINGFIELD APPLIES FOR FEDERAL COMMUNITY CHALLENGE PLANNING GRANT

for more information:
Ernie Slottag 789-2235

The city’s effort is being partnered by the Enos Park Neighborhood Improvement Association (EPNIA), the Enos Park Development (EPD, LLC,) and Mansur Real Estate Services, Inc. (Mansur). The Lakota Group (Lakota) will provide assistance for specific portions of the project.

The project would allow for the re-zoning of a transitional area within the neighborhood to allow for high density residential development for qualified income individuals and commercial activities to support basic needs of the neighborhood residents. The planned acquisition is to convert at least eight distressed properties into financially feasible redevelopment parcels.

"This is an excellent opportunity to showcase and capitalize on the nearly $700,000 in current work underway in Enos Park and to leverage TIF funds to further enhance Enos Park. It’s a fantastic use of TIF funds that will generate additional grant dollars for the area. The grant will continue to position Enos Park and the Medical District for future economic growth," Mayor Houston said.

Specific blighted properties have already been identified and would be purchased and land banked for future redevelopment under the guidance of the Enos Park Redevelopment Corporation. The re-zoning would provide the data and groundwork needed for an eight-block area bounded by Madison, Ninth, Carpenter and Second Streets. This initial re-zoning process brought about through the Challenge Grant could become the basis for the future of neighborhood zoning which could benefit older neighborhoods within the city of Springfield.

OPED staff submitted the application Friday, September 16^th and anticipates a decision by HUD in late November. Use of the grant funds and match would continue the recommendations outlined by the Mansur/Lakota study which was completed earlier this year.