Tenants group criticizes plan to use remaining ARPA funds for sports complex, city hall

COVID-19 relief funds must be spent by the end of 2026, setting a deadline for Springfield city leaders to decide how to spend the remaining money by the end of this year. From the total $40.2 million in the city's American Rescue Plan Act allocation, about $1.4 million remains to be spent.

Because of the timeline required for any projects the money would fund, city staff and the ARPA Review Committee recommended that the $1.4 million remainder be divvied up between improvements and renovations already planned at Historic City Hall and upgrades at Cooper Park/Lake Country Soccer Complex and the Killian Softball Complex on East Pythian Street.

With most, a little over $900,000, recommended to go to the Cooper/Killian project, local tenants and those experiencing homelessness criticized the city's prioritization of tourism over local residents at Monday night's Springfield City Council meeting. Council members Matt Simpson, Craig Hosmer and Derek Lee were absent from the meeting.

What has the city spent so far?

Out of the total $40.2 million in city's ARPA funds, $7.3 million and $4 million has already been allocated to Cooper/Killian and Historic City Hall respectively. Going toward housing and homeless related projects, including the housing study, funding for congregate shelters and Restore SGF, were a total of roughly $9.5 million from the city's ARPA dollars as well as $3.8 million in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development HOME-American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds.

Deputy City Manager Collin Quigley told council that, while costs won't be final until bids are received, improvements to Historic City Hall could be fully funded with the additional $500,000 in ARPA funds.

"It's a very large project, a lot of funding sources, a lot of moving parts, based on where we're at right now with our construction manager at risk and the design development phase where we're at now, we feel strongly that this will complete the project," he said.

The Historic City Hall renovations are set to cost $16.5 million. Monday night, council approved $4.4 million in carryover funds from excess revenues from the previous budget year to also go toward the project.

When it comes to the Cooper/Killian project, which includes new artificial turf, entryways, bleachers and locker rooms, the total price tag sits at around $27.4 million. This has already been funded. Half of the funding, $13.5 million, came from state ARPA funding, while the remainder was covered by city ARPA money, funding from the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, Inc. and the city's general revenue and park funds carryover.

In August, council approved $5 million in carryover funds to go toward the local match for the project ahead of the end of the year, due to much higher revenues than expected. Council approved $188,000 more in carryover funds on Monday night to fund the project. From the total $6.3 million in carryover money approved Monday night, $100,000 went to Crisis Cold Weather Shelters, the only housing-related item from the allocations.

Quigly said the additional ARPA money would go toward an extra $3 million in improvements in phase three to ensure the sports complex improvements are finished to the scale desired and there is nothing left to touch up. These updates include repaving the parking lot, enhanced ticketing entries, sports lighting and fencing replacements. With bids coming in favorably for the first two phases of the project, he said there is a chance the $900,000 could complete the project.

A request to reconsider

Members of Springfield Tenants Unite (STUN), a city-wide tenants union, spoke out against the recommended use of the extra funds. Those addressing council emphasized the need to invest in local residents who live in Springfield rather than tourists who visit the city and spend their money here.

"City residents are consistent tax revenue sources too until we aren't when we become homeless," Alice Barber, a leader with STUN, said. "We must prioritize the people that live in Springfield, because this helps our community remain safe, helps workers keep showing up for work. It helps students keep going to school without interruption and keeps us spending and providing tax revenue in Springfield all year round."

Sean Carrell, who's experiencing homelessness, highlighted the challenges those struggling with housing face and how the lack of funding prevents organizations serving the homeless population from being able to help those who need it.

Elvester Kennedy noted there are plenty organizations that are working on ending homelessness and promoting safe housing that could use the money. Kennedy is a resident at Jenny Lind Hall, affordable housing dedicated to the elderly and those with disabilities. Jenny Lind tenants have flocked to recent council meetings to share concerns about unsafe housing conditions and unaddressed maintenance issues.

More: Springfield City Council considers whether — and how — to make housing a priority

"It's your responsibility as council members to represent the people of the city," he said. "Do you really think pouring almost a million dollars into a sports complex is really what the people of Springfield want?"

Many called for the bill to be tabled and money reconsidered for other uses. Council is set to vote on the bill at its next meeting on March 25.

Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Contact her with tips at mmieze@news-leader.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield tenants ask for reconsideration of leftover ARPA money