Springfield’s been talking about developing the South MacArthur Boulevard corridor for years. Adam Stroud of PGAV reminds the city council the landscape has changed.

“What originally started as mainly retail has evolved into accommodations, retail, as well as the sports complex, and so the project is not finished; the city has seen fit to create a new business district,” said Stroud.

Stroud presented the parameters of a “special business district,” but Ald. Shawn Gregory said he is almost out of patience:

“We are twisting and turning” to help the developer of the proposed Scheels sports complex with another incentive, Gregory said. “Fine. This doesn’t cost us any money, so to speak, right now. But if this doesn’t work, we need to get out!”

A designation would mean developers would not have to pay for infrastructure, and the hope is it would attract retailers and other businesses. The council is expected to vote in September.