Springfield’s housing stock is seeing a lot of progress, both in new developments and in initiatives to improve existing residences.
Bridgewater Subdivision – the first major housing project in the city since the early 1990s – is nearing the end of its first phase, and sales have already exceeded expectations.
“The developer of that project is amazed at the amount of interest from buyers,” says Springfield City Manager Bryan Heck. “It’s encouraging news about the future of this development.”
Bridgewater is a Ryan Homes development located on the east side of Springfield, off of South Tuttle Road. The project is in its first phase, having already sold more than half the available lots.
Interest in phase two of the project is picking up, as the public infrastructure nears completion. When finished, the development will include 231 houses.
Downtown housing is moving ahead as well. The Center Street Townes now has a model home open seven days a week, and construction on the second building has commenced, with a third building expected to be started soon.
The first phase is complete and four of the attached units are already sold and occupied. Each unit is about 1,300 square feet. The project will finish with 34 three-story units with access from Center Street.
“Housing is a critically important issue for our community. Homes that go on the market in our community sell quickly, partly due to the lack of inventory,” Heck says. “That’s why these two developments are so exciting for the future of Springfield.”
Another step the City of Springfield has taken to improve housing is it’s work with Urban Fast Forward on the Engaged Neighborhood Plan in the area from Pleasant to Perrin streets and South Yellow Springs to Center streets. Urban Fast Forward is a consulting and real estate firm specializing in urban real estate and development, according to the company website.
“We also are focusing on our existing neighborhoods and helping rebuild and revitalize those existing, specifically historic neighborhoods in our community,” Heck says. “Each of our neighborhoods is unique. We’re taking a really good, street level view of the issues that exist around housing and neighborhood development in specific areas.”
Proper planning and studying, Heck says, will set the Springfield on a course that will not only help lead to the revitalization of existing neighborhoods but also help new developments, like Bridgewater and Center Street Townes, thrive in other areas of the city.
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