Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Three major projects in Springfield are seeing progress. Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance President and CEO Ryan McCrady stopped by the WTAX Morning Newswatch with updates on the warehouse development on Palm Road, the Springfield Rail Improvements Project and the SCHEELS Sports Complex at Legacy Pointe.

Hear the podcast with SSGA President and CEO Ryan McCrady

The Springfield City Council approved the variances for the 225,000 square foot warehouse slated for just off the Chatham exit on I-55. McCrady said the site offers convenient, fast, and safer access to both directions of I-55 with just two right turns. He also said he’s confident this development could lead to more. “There’s a lot of clustering with warehouse and distribution.”

Good market reach, a good supply of employees, a truck driving school at Lincoln Land Community College, fair land prices and great transportation assets as some of the positive attributes Springfield has to offer, according to McCrady.

The new underpasses on Jefferson and Madison Streets between 9th and 11th Streets opened Monday. The construction, which began in April 2023, is part of the larger Springfield Rail Improvements Project.

McCrady said the free movement of freight through the community is really important for economic development. “Springfield has five Class I railroads. That’s very unique. So having this rail consolidation project will allow that freight to move more efficiently through the community, which makes it even more attractive for businesses that move either raw materials in by rail or finished products out by rail.”

The project hit an unexpected delay when the U.S. Department of Transportation denied a grant request necessary to complete the final portions of the project. However, another grant cycle will be announced this fall, and McCrady said everybody is optimistic about the opportunity. “Everything is ready to go,” and bids can be put out as soon as the grant documents are received, he said.

Finally, you’re going to start seeing above-the-ground construction at the SCHEELS Sports Park site at Legacy Pointe. McCrady said permits for vertical construction and accessory structures have been filed.