The first phase of the project to daylight Jordan Creek in downtown Springfield has been under construction for more than a month, but there is still more work to be done before the vision of urban greenspace is realized.

The project spans two large blocks in the urbanized center of Jordan Valley Park, bordered on the east by Boonville Avenue, Water Street and the railway on the south, Main Avenue on the west and Mill Street on the north. The goal of the project is to mitigate flooding, improve water quality and provide for innovating quality of place and economic development improvements by bringing the buried creek back into the daylight. Additionally, a dog park, pedestrian plazas, a space for outdoor learning and more natural green space will be constructed near the creek.

Several streets and sidewalks will be closed at different times during the project.

Kirkland Preston, the city's Public Works stormwater engineer and the project manager, said via email the project is on schedule so far, with estimated completion toward the end of 2026.

Daylighting will improve Jordan Creek's water quality

Jordan Creek, which has been prone to flooding, has been filled with debris and waste throughout its different eras.

Preston said that like many urban waterways, Jordan Creek experiences "non-point source" pollution issues from different excess nutrients and chemicals from landscape fertilizers and residuals from tire particles, motor oil, vehicle exhaust and asphalt sealants.

Daylighting the creek will give it more room during heavy rainfall to mitigate flooding, and native plantings will aid in improving the water quality. Native plantings will restore the bank area of the creek and help absorb and treat pollutants. The project also includes specifically located "pocket wetlands," bioretention and "silva cells," or a special tree-growing media system that supports the hardscape above ground to provide trees with uncompacted soil.

The two-year project isn't cheap. The total price tag sits around $33 million and is being funded by a plethora of grant funds and local money, including $6.5 million in special obligation bonds.

Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Have feedback, tips or story ideas? Contact her at [email protected].