Illinois REALTORS® CEO Gary Clayton (right) talks to Springfield radio personality Sam Madonia (left) Tuesday morning. Kent Massie is sitting next to Clayton.

The future development of the REALTORS® Bicentennial Plaza and the lot north of the Illinois Executive Mansion brought Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder, Springfield Alderman Herman Senor, Illinois REALTORS® CEO Gary Clayton and a local Springfield radio program to the Illinois REALTORS® headquarters Tuesday morning.

AM Springfield 1450, hosted by Sam Madonia, asked Clayton about the association’s donation of land, then discussed plaza development with Kent Massie, Principal Planner and Landscape Architect of Massie Massie & Associates. Langfelder explained his hopes for the project and its links to development of the lot that was formerly occupied by the recently-razed Springfield YWCA (sometimes referred to as the North Mansion Block).

Senor and Neil Malone, Manager of Grassroots and Political Programs, discussed the positive impact of the project on Springfield’s Second Ward.

Illinois first lady Diana Rauner talked about restoration plans for the Illinois Executive Mansion and how they would coincide with the state’s bicentennial in 2018. Rauner is chair of the Illinois Executive Mansion Association, a non-profit organization that raises money for the restoration. Ann Londrigan, Vice President, Member and Association Engagement explained how the restoration of the governor’s mansion and the bicentennial would coincide with local restoration projects that REALTORS® would be involved with around the state.

Vice President Communications Jon Broadbooks provided Madonia and his listeners with background information on Illinois REALTORS®, its role representing more than 44,000 members and its local role as a corporate citizen of downtown Springfield.