Illinois Department of Natural Resources representatives presented plans to the Springfield City Council on Tuesday to convert the Y Block near the Governor’s Mansion into a public park and venue space. The city council is considering an ordinance to give the space to the state.
The state has designated $4 million to develop the space of more than two acres with a limestone amphitheater seating 500 people and lawn seating of more than 1,000. In addition to retaining space to host events such as the Levitt AMP Series,
IDNR Deputy Director Russell Orrill explained that the future Y-Block park space would be designed to be enjoyed beyond scheduled events, using natural landscape elements.
The ordinance to donate the Y-Block was placed on next week’s council debate agenda after a motion by Ward 3 Alderman Roy Williams Jr., who expressed skepticism about simply giving the property to the state.
