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Proposed multimillion dollar warehouse could bring hundreds of jobs to Springfield

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Proposed multimillion dollar warehouse could bring hundreds of jobs to Springfield

A new industrial complex spanning 30 acres could be coming to the southern part of Springfield.

Here’s what we know so far about the ordnance.

Who’s making the ordinance to the City Zoning and Planning Commission?

Houston, Texas resident John Kovski, who is listed as manager for Lakeview Acres LLC, filed a request for variances on the 30-acres of land May 1 to the Springfield Planning and Zoning Commission on the lot for changes in restrictions on the current farmland.

After securing the variances including a larger-than-usual fence and buildings over 35 feet, Kovski doesn’t intend on keeping the land – in fact the petition is to sell the property with variances to a developer who will construct the new almost 227,000-square-foot industrial building, lending to make more sense of the variance requests.

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What is the building going to be?

The planned building will be a warehouse and while the city has not formally confirmed who will use the building, sources told The State Journal-Register that Frito-Lay, a subsidiary of Pepsico, will use the location.

Where would the building be located?

The land is on the southwest corner of I-55 on the Chatham interchange, which is currently owned by Lakeview Acres LLC, an Illinois jurisdiction company headquartered in Houston, Texas and first filed in 2021. 

Will anything else be on the property?

The warehouse will have associated trailer parking, a 12,000 square-foot office space, a bulk truck parking, a 5,180 square-foot garage, a 10-foot site security fence and landscaping surrounding the lot.

How many jobs would this create?

While the number has not been confirmed, an average warehouse of that size could bring anywhere from 100 to 200 employees to the city.

What does Pepsico make?

The company produces chips, pretzels, popcorn and other snacks.

This would be the second Frito-Lay warehouse in Springfield, correct?

Correct. Frito-Lay has another warehouse in Springfield that operates at 5400 International Parkway. That warehouse is currently hiring for part time positions in the warehousing industry anywhere from $21.89 to $22.88 an hour.

How much would this new warehouse cost?

While absolute numbers are not available currently for the project, President and CEO of the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance Ryan McCrady said that similarly sized constructions in the city would range from $30 to $50 million for a warehouse of that size. 

Will this impact noise in the area?

The current farmland is far enough out of the city that McCrady says noise should not be a worry, as the interstate is already loud enough – and that since it will be a warehouse, fumes won’t be an issue as nothing will actually be created at the location.

Potential growth to the city

If the warehouse is built by the interstate and proves successful, it could show other larger companies the benefits of Springfield being at the center of the state; Springfield to Utah is and Springfield to Maine both clock in around 21 hours, around a day of travel on the interstates.

Yazell said the city is supportive of this form of development, but confirmation of the proposed warehouse still has some hoops to get through before being a confirmed project, namely the zoning commissions and city council.

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When is the ordinance going to city council?

If the petition passes the zoning commissions doors on June 20 at 6 p.m., the request will pass through to the city council chambers for a second round approval and consideration on July 16 at 5:30 p.m..

Executive director of the regional planning commission Molly Berns said the opportunity for future development projects is something the zoning commission and council will take into consideration, but Burns said she’s learned to not assume ahead of time what the council will decide on. 

Claire Grant writes about business, growth and development and other news topics for The State Journal-Register. She can be reached at CLGrant@gannett.com; and on X (Formerly known as Twitter): @Claire_Granted

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