Follow along live with the Springfield City Council meeting for March 19th, 2019. The council will be voting on a proposal to provide $7,650,000 in TIF funding for a new hotel project on Washington St. The $56 million project would create an extended stay hotel. The hotel would also have luxury apartments and other commercial applications. Parking was the primary concern voiced at the last meeting. Construction is expected to create 400 to 600 new jobs, including a youth apprenticeship program.

The meeting was adjourned for executive session. The start of the meeting is below, the TIF discussion is in the top player.

Springfield ICON has announced their endorsements for the upcoming municipal election. ICON (Inner City Older Neighborhoods) based their decision on both written responses to their questionnaire, as well as their candidate forums held last month.

Identifying the issues facing Springfield and having plans to address them were key for endorsements. But ICON Chair Carol Kneedler said that having a positive outlook on these issues was important as well. Springfield does have its problems; but overemphasizing them is a problem in its own right.

The candidates that were endorsed are:

Mayor – Jim Langfelder (incumbent)

Clerk – Rianne Hawkins

Treasurer – Misty Buscher (incumbent)

Ward 1 – T. Ray McJunkins

Ward 2 – Gail Simpson

Ward 3 – Doris Turner (incumbent)

Ward 4 – John Fulgenzi (incumbent)

Ward 5 – Andrew Proctor (incumbent)

Ward 6 – Kristin DiCenso (incumbent)

Ward 7 – Joe McMenamin (incumbent)

Ward 8 – Erin Conley

Ward 9 – Jim Donelan (incumbent)

Ward 10 – Robert Patino

To learn more about Springfield ICON, check out their website. The municipal election is April 2nd, and early voting has already started.

Follow along live with the Springfield City Council committee of the whole meeting.

At the 25:00 mark, there was a discussion of the new development at 300-320 E Washington St. The project is looking for $7,650,000 in TIF funds.