Approval for a property redevelopment project in southeast Springfield may have hit a snag after requesting permission to expand its street access points.
Developers are seeking to use the site of the former H.D. Smith building located on Fiat Avenue to create what is apparently being named Prosperity Business Park. Currently the property lacks direct access to an arterial street, with its closest access to 11th Street being up the road along E. Knox Avenue. The Smith family, who also own the surrounding plots, wish to create closer access points to the 11th Street artery, believing such connections would benefit the business park and potential new related developments close by.
A number of ordinances related to the business park plan went before the Committee of the Whole on Tuesday, June 10. But several alderpeople questioned the efficacy of the street access additions.
“The idea of adding two entrances here, when they could use the Knox entrance and use Fiat, I guess I need some convincing on that,” said Ward 6 Alderwoman Jennifer Notariano, in whose constituency the property is located. “I’m concerned about the potential for congestion, and the potential future uses that may come forward if two entrances to 11th Street are added.”
Notariano pointed out that the last time the property owners came to the council, it was confirmed that neither Fiat Avenue nor East Nox Avenue had the capacity to handle large trucks and other vehicles associated with an I-1 light industrial classification.
The Prosperity Park issue highlighted several common frustrations alders experience during the development process: no mention has apparently been made to city officials of intended uses for the surrounding empty plots. While common among private developers, the lack of communication presents challenges to the council in assessing the purpose of the street access changes.
Adding to worries, the Prosperity Park site is neighbored to the east by the community of Cabbage Patch; further north along 11th Street is Harvard Park, another major residential area. Notariano worried that increased traffic along 11th might worsen road conditions along the street. Similar changes to street entrance density, the Alderwoman warned, has done damage to traffic in other areas in Ward 6.
“My concern is that these two entrances are going to be marketed as, ‘We can have industrial development here, closer to 11th Street,’ because 11th Street can handle the larger trucks and industrial uses.”
Nevertheless, alderpeople expressed confidence that the city could reach an agreement to allow the development to proceed. The various Prosperity Business Park ordinances moved forward to debate at next week’s city council meeting.
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