For the past 15 years, the Greater Springfield Partnership (GSP), a nonprofit, membership-based economic development organization representing over 800 businesses, has been stewarding housing development in the City of Springfield through a Community Improvement Corporation.
In 1970, the city of Springfield and Clark Co. created the Community Improvement Corporation of Springfield and Clark County (“CIC”), a quasi-governmental nonprofit corporation. The Chamber of Commerce, which has been consolidated into the GSP, has been the longtime contracted administrator of the CIC. Traditionally used for economic development, CICs can also take on other market-strengthening roles by assisting the administration of economic development programs and initiatives.
Workforce and Housing: Cyclical Development
Initially the GSP’s efforts prioritized workforce development. Under its guidance, the CIC had been acquiring land in and near Springfield’s city limits since the 80s to build industrial parks. In the early 2010s however, it became clear that a well-developed housing market was absolutely critical to retaining and attracting that workforce. While other housing nonprofits had successfully built smaller affordable housing projects in the city, market rate housing at workforce- and executive-level pricing was still needed to support the city’s expanding workforce.
As a result of this acute need for housing, the CIC (and subsequently, the GSP) began to turn its efforts to attracting market-rate housing developers. The CIC had control of large parcels along a major artery into the city and to the highway, and had already developed the necessary infrastructure in a nearby industrial park which a housing development could tap into, so the opportunity was there.
The GSP worked with the local government to better advertise the on-going story of housing development happening throughout the community. The publicity helped attract developers and showcase the ongoing interest and potential to invest in Springfield, leading to future development of market rate housing. The GSP also conducted engagement surveys with residents, which allowed them to demonstrate to residential developers that there was demand for market rate development in Springfield, and that residents had the financial capacity to support it.
Concept Design of the Melody Parks Development
This opportunity was only possible because GSP had built a secure foundation for housing development in the city. Their proactivity and initiative in land assembly meant that the GSP were able to let the private sector lead on the development process.
Melody Parks: The Fruit of Their Labor
The efforts of land assemblage and success of smaller market-rate projects, along with a steadily growing workforce would eventually culminate in Springfield securing a massive, 1,200-unit market rate housing development. This development project, known as Melody Parks, is the largest housing development in Springfield in the past 50 years. It will provide a variety of single and multifamily housing products, as well as amenities for mixed-use development across a 400 acre site.
The assembly, re-zoning, sale of the land, and demolition began in November 2022, and finished in January 2023. The completion of the new community's infrastructure — utilities, waterlines, sewer and more — finished in early 2024 and the developers, Dillin Corp. and Borror, collectively known as Forty Partners, entered the construction phase in the summer of 2024.
Sources:
Why Developers Are Investing In Springfield Oh Hint Were 1 (expandgreaterspringfield.com)
Connecting with Springfield: The Personal Ties Behind Melody Parks – Melody Parks