Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Downtown Springfield is always changing, which requires Downtown Springfield Incorporated (DSI) to adapt to these changes.

Communications Director of DSI, Jay Shanle spoke on the WTAX Morning Newswatch about some of these changes and what DSI intends to do to help identify Downtown Springfield as the artistic, cultural, and entertainment packed city it was once recognized as.

“Obviously Downtown has changed quite a bit in the past few years, and more so over the last decade. In keeping up with that change, DSI needs to change as well.” Stated Shanle in his interview, “So we are going to be changing our non-profit status from a 501 c6, which is membership based, to a 501 c3 which is a true non-profit. In that change, its to focus on all of downtown, and not just our members.”

Shanle also mentioned that DSI would really love to bring back the true identity of Downtown Springfield and remind everybody that it truly is a wonderful place with plenty of things to do. In the interview, Shanle spoke about the free concert that downtown holds ten times a year during the summertime, and how there’s a typical average of 2000 people who attend these concerts.

Shanle pointed out as well that his weekends are “always full” no matter what time of year.

To help identify the greatness found in downtown, Shanle wants to bring back the communications of the different cultural aspects, arts, and entertainment that downtown has to offer, and even recommend others where they may be able to find fun on a weekend.

Shanle also said in his interview, “Our focus in this is to look at how we use downtown today, and this is where arts culture and entertainment come in. Where are our cultural aspects, like Lincolns home, or ALPLM. Where are the Culinary Arts aspects hiding at, where are our festivals or parades. All of that happens downtown. If we don’t talk about this stuff, it makes it hard to focus on and drive the momentum”