Redeveloping the Y Block

A Springfield City Council member questioned why the city would consider giving away the Y block without more than a $4 million commitment from state officials to construct a permanent outdoor amphitheater ringed by a public park.

“We’re going to give an important block away for free,” Ward 3. Ald. Roy Williams Jr. said at the City Council’s July 14 committee-of-the-whole meeting. “I don’t think it’s the smartest thing.”

Williams on July 21 was the lone council member to vote against an ordinance to transfer ownership of the 2.25-acre site to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. He previously said he would vote in favor of it because the concept is supported by Ward 2 Ald. Shawn Gregory, in whose ward the Y block sits. Williams said he generally defers to the wishes of the council member who represents the area proposed for a project.

Williams said the city has spent about $10 million on Y block development so far, although those numbers were disputed by Mayor Misty Buscher, who helped broker the deal with the state. That amount, Williams said, includes the $1.5 million that the city paid the state to purchase the block – then home to the former YWCA building – during the administration of former Mayor Mike Houston.

The city should have held out for more in negotiations, such as a lease agreement, a commitment to bring more state workers back to downtown Springfield, or language that would require the property to transfer back to the city if state funding falls through, Williams said.

Buscher, however, said the proposed terms are appropriate and fair for the city.

The mayor said the city’s public works department has documented $4.6 million in city spending on the Y block, not $10 million.

Williams’ proposed amendment to establish a firm deadline for the state to complete the work and guarantee the property’s future use as a public park failed when Buscher voted “no” to break a 4-4 tie.

The overall ordinance passed 7-1, with Williams voting “no” and Ward 8 Ald. Erin Conley voting “present” because she is employed by DNR. Ward 6 Ald. Jennifer Notariano was absent.

The $4.6 million, the mayor said, includes the purchase price, soil studies conducted by Buscher’s staff and during the administration of her predecessor, Jim Langfelder, and other site work, including demolition of the YWCA building.

The state Department of Natural Resources’ investment would more than exceed the city’s costs when considering future maintenance costs that would be covered by the state, Buscher said.

“We’re spending similar monies, and we don’t have the staff to maintain the grounds,” she said. “They have the staff. DNR takes care of parks all the time, and those folks will be there maintaining it year-round.

“I think it is a partnership … because we’ve all invested money in this, and we’re all going to win with this project,” Buscher said.

The mayor noted that city officials agreed to donate city-owned land for other important projects, including the state-owned and operated Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and the Springfield Park District’s Henson Robinson Zoo.

The popularity of the free concerts as part of the summertime Levitt AMP Springfield Music Series Presented by PNC, using a temporary stage on the Y block, has demonstrated that the public wants a more permanent site for outdoor entertainment at the site, Buscher said. Levitt AMP concerts, as well as other performers who haven’t been able to use the Y block, will be able to use the fully developed site, she said.

“It is this administration’s opinion to get projects completed and done, and work with the community, and give the community what they’re asking for,” she said. “The community would like to see a natural park and this Levitt AMP continue on. Look at the different things that can go on at that stage.” 

DNR Deputy Director Russell Orrill and IDNR senior landscape architect Erick Huck told the council the state wants to do what it can to beautify the capital city’s downtown.

Orrill said it would be free for the public to visit the park, although groups of 20 or more might be required to pay a $25 activity fee for holding any events.

“We can rejuvenate downtown with this project,” Ward 4 Ald. Larry Rockford said.

If city officials approve the plan, state officials said engineering and design work, as well as decisions on awarding contracts, could be completed in about a year. Construction would go on for six to eight months, they said, which means the project could be done in 2028.

The DNR officials outlined details and presented schematic drawings of their plans at the July 14 council meeting. They said the designs feature all native Illinois plants, shaded gathering areas with the planting of 50 trees, ADA-accessible walking paths and a natural play area for children.

The focal point of the proposed North Mansion Park would be a natural limestone amphitheater with seating for 500 people, along with open lawn seating for an additional 1,000 to 3,000 people.

Gregory said he appreciated the questions Williams raised, but Gregory was eager to finally see progress after years of delays associated with other plans.

“I want this thing to go,” Gregory said. “I’m tired of dealing with it. … We don’t have the money to develop it.”

Gregory told Illinois Times that he has rarely seen such enthusiasm among his fellow council members for a project. “I wish we had this energy for other parts of the community, but we often don’t,” he said.

“Thank God for the Levitts,” Gregory said. “They’ve shown us what that space can be and will be. I care about people enjoying the Y block.”

 The $4 million for development of the Y block originally was set aside by the General Assembly in the state’s fiscal 2025 budget.

The Y block at one time was the site of an automobile repair shop, and site studies conducted by the Buscher administration identified some work that needs to be done on soil below the surface to remove any potential risks to public health before construction would begin, Orrill said.

“There is no imminent threat to public health or safety at the site,” he said.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is figuring out what mitigation work needs to be done, and the agency’s recommendations should be available by late August, Orrill said.

State officials have included in a proposed written deal with the city that the state has the option to pull out if the state deems the required mitigation work too expensive for the state to afford.

But Orrill said the IEPA’s findings were “not out of the ordinary,” and state officials believe the project is likely to become a reality if City Council members give their blessing.