I often drive by the former News-Leader building, where I worked for nine and one-half years, to see how the renovation is going.
It seems to me that it's going slowly, but I have no idea what the inside of the structure looks like and I can't get anyone connected with the project to talk to me.
The monstrous building, with 105,920 square feet, was built in 1948 according to public records, after its predecessor, located at the same spot, went up in flames.
Plans for a drive-thru storage facility
Gannett, parent company of the News-Leader, sold it and the 4.88 acres to what's listed in public records as Springfield QOZ Self Storage LLC.
Google the name of that company and you get a few news stories about the sale in 2021. They say the company is converting the old newspaper building into a drive-thru storage facility.
The Springfield QOZ Self Storage LLC has an address in Oak Brook, Illinois, according to public records.
QOZ apparently stands for Qualified Opportunity Zone, which is an economically distressed area where new investments, under certain conditions, may be eligible for preferential tax treatment.
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I'd say that if the area of this building was distressed in 2021 it's even more distressed today. The property now has security cameras, some attached to solar panels, at various locations.
I know the vacant building had become a hub for people who do not have shelter. I've seen it.
It wasn't all Misty Water-Colored Memories
It occurred to me that if anybody would know about Qualified Opportunity Zones and if this project was on track it would be Rusty Worley, executive director of the Downtown Springfield Association. I could not reach him by deadline.
The building was in sorry shape when I left the paper in September 2021.
On a rainy day, the one remaining maintenance employee placed buckets throughout the hallways.
I realize that some of you have Misty Water-Colored Memories of the building. Those of us who worked in it the final few years thought it was a dump.
After the August 2021 sale, the new owner leased the building back to the News-Leader through Oct. 31, when the final newspaper employee left.
News-Leader staff moved up in the world
After that, the News-Leader moved to sweeter confines on the 11th floor of the Hammons Tower. I've been up there and it's a fine location with a far better view than the old newsroom on Boonville, which had no windows.
Nevertheless, on Greene County Recorder of Deeds records the very first line of information for commercial properties is this: Property Name.
The one at 651 Boonville Ave. still goes by “Springfield News-Leader.”
I do have some reason to believe the renovation project is picking up steam.
On Wednesday, Oct. 19, I saw at least one worker on the roof.
I also checked building permits on the city's website.
The first one issued was on March 11 for a building project that involved “renovation/alteration/infill.”
But early this month three more were issued for plumbing, mechanical and gas.
That's what leads me to believe that perhaps great progress has been made inside.
Owner on permits listed as ‘Devon Storage'
On the building permits, the name of the owner is listed as Devon Storage, with no address.
No, the property has not been sold again, according to public records. It appears as if the same owner is using a different name now.
Devon Self Storage has businesses in 24 states — as well as in Holland, Germany and France.
It has three sites in Missouri: two in St. Louis and one in Florissant.
There is a name on the applications for those building permits: it's Wade Lininger.
He is a senior architect with Buxton, Kubik, Dodd Design Collective in Springfield.
I called him; I did not hear back.
If you're not the source, let me know who is
Note to potential sources: reporters often call because they believe you have first-hand knowledge on the topic at hand.
But if you don't have first-hand knowledge or don't believe you are the appropriate person to speak publicly, keep in mind that reporters are also looking for your help in finding who the right source might be.
This is Pokin Around column No. 67.
