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REALTORS®, local residents and those who played roles in the creation of Bicentennial Plaza — a REALTOR® Community Partnership gathered to celebrate the near completion of the project Thursday in downtown Springfield.
“City leaders have long sought to link Springfield’s historic sites through this corridor, and tonight I am so honored to be able to share with you the result of so much work,” Difanis said. “Bicentennial Plaza — a REALTOR® Community Partnership is exactly what the name implies: A partnership. At every stage of this project there has been community support, which in addition to REALTOR® support, has made this project a new centerpiece for the city’s downtown.”
(l to r) Ginger Sreenan, Sue Miller, Karen Robertson and Vicky Turner proudly stand at the west entrance to Bicentennial Plaza.
At dusk, lights strung above the 16 towers lining the plaza changed to red, white and blue in a computer generated show, setting a celebratory mood. The plaza is a Signature Legacy Project for the Illinois Bicentennial.
The outdoor reception followed the town hall panel discussion, “Home and Community: The 50th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act,” inside the Illinois REALTORS® headquarters. Difanis said the idea for the plaza was born from the decades-old idea of linking historic sites like the Abraham Lincoln National Historic Site with the Governor’s Mansion and the Illinois State Capitol complex.
REALTOR® Vicky Turner, chair of the Illinois REALTORS® Bicentennial Committee said she was impressed with the way the plaza has turned out. “There’s no way to describe the feelings I felt when I saw it . . . I felt a sense of pride rush over me. Every REALTOR® in Illinois should be proud.”
A number of those who played roles in the creation of the plaza were honored. Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder and aldermen in attendance were recognized for their support for the project. The city provided $1 million in TIF money for the project. Also recognized were Kent and Sue Massie and Neil Brumleve with Massie Massie & Associates Landscape Architects, which designed the plaza.
Those who are named on the Founders Wall at the plaza for their contributions include: Illinois REALTORS®; the City of Springfield; Midwest Real Estate Data, LLC; the National Association of REALTORS®; Paul Schanbacher and Susan and Bill Enlow; Marsha and Gary Clayton; the Chicago Association of REALTORS®; Illinois REALTORS® past presidents; the Inland Real Estate Group of Companies; the Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS®; and Legacy Brick Donors.
On Aug. 26 the Fighting Illini Marching Band and the Ravinia Jazz Scholars Alumni Band will visit Springfield for the Bicentennial Plaza Dedication on Illinois Constitution Day. The dedication is a Signature Legacy Event of the Illinois Bicentennial.
The plaza project is one of a series of enhancements to Springfield’s downtown historic district in recent months. The Illinois Governor’s Mansion has been renovated and is now open for tours, and a massive drainage project near the plaza has been completed which will alleviate flooding that has occurred in the area.
