SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Before the city begins the Renew Jordan Creek project, one local partnership is giving people a chance to tour the creek in its current state — underground.
The James River Basin Partnership is educating people on the history of the tunnels and the importance of protecting Springfield’s waterways.
“It endures. And that’s the key thing you can say about Jordan Creek,” Todd Wilkinson said. “It’s endured since the beginning of the town. It continues to flow on.”
Project starts soon to create waterfront property in downtown Springfield
Wilkinson is a part of the James River Basin Partnership.
“By the 1920s, there was a fairly strong movement to basically put the stream in a box, create the storm system, sewer system, put the box in that, or put the stream in that and have the flood water flow downstream, out of sight, out of mind,” Wilkinson said.
The upcoming Renew Jordan Creek project will bring the creek out of its underground tunnels and make it a central feature of downtown Springfield with walking paths and waterfront businesses.