No new taxes being considered to pay for potential Bank of Springfield Center expansion

A possible expansion of the Bank of Springfield Center in downtown Springfield focused on conventions could create $40 million annually in new economic activity into the heart of the city.

A survey of convention planners, said Sangamon County Board Chairman Andy Van Meter at Thursday's State of Greater Springfield luncheon at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel, said they would be more apt to come to Springfield if there were upgrades to the center, which opened in 1979.

While multiple revenue sources could pay for the nearly $93 million expansion, Van Meter said there is "no scenario under consideration" that would impose new taxes on residents.

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The Springfield Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority owns and operates the BoS Center.

While music to her ears, that talk came with a plea from Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher.

"We need more hotels," said Buscher.

Van Meter and Buscher outlined plans and hopes at the joint event sponsored by the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. The event also featured a question-and-answer session moderated by Tim Butler, the President of the Illinois Railroad Association and a former State Representative.

Buscher said five newly hired and trained zone managers will be "the eyes and ears" of the city's Office of Public Works.

The zone managers and 10 neighborhood police officers (NPOs), included one dedicated to patrolling downtown, will be introduced at the May 21 Springfield City Council meeting.

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Sunday marks the one-year anniversary of Buscher taking office. She defeated incumbent Mayor Jim Langfelder in 2023.

Van Meter, noting Buscher's work on a particular part of the Springfield Rail Improvements Project, said the city "has (never) had as gifted a salesperson to tell its story."

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Bank of Springfield Center could undergo nearly $100M expansion