Monthly South Creek Cleanup on Sunday, January 25

 

City to Receive Safe Streets and Roads Grant for South Campbell Avenue Improvements

 

The City of Springfield has been awarded a $13.8 million federal Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) implementation grant to improve safety on high-injury segments of South Campbell Avenue, advancing the City’s Vision Zero goal to eliminate traffic deaths by 2040 and serious injuries by 2050. Including the 20% required local match, this grant will bring more than $17 million in improvements to the corridor.

The City’s South Campbell Avenue Priority Corridor project will help Springfield implement proven countermeasures to reduce crashes on two segments of Campbell Avenue identified as part of the High Injury Network (HIN) outlined in the Ozark Transportation Organization’s Destination Safe Streets Regional Safety Action Plan. Priority street segments include Republic Road to Walnut Lawn and Sunshine to Minota. Between Republic Road and Walnut Lawn, improvements will widen Campbell Avenue to six lanes, add safety medians, sidewalks, stormwater upgrades, traffic-calming measures, and a new pedestrian bridge north of Primrose Street. From Sunshine to Minota, improvements will include an upgraded intersection at Portland Street, protected turn lanes, safety medians, sidewalks, stormwater improvements, and traffic-calming measures.

The project seeks to build upon various safety investments already underway along South Campbell Avenue, including completed intersection improvements at the Republic Road and Grand Street intersections, upcoming improvements at Campbell and Walnut Lawn Street, and the ongoing Sunshine Street Corridor Study. 

The City of Springfield will begin working with the U.S. Department of Transportation in the coming weeks to establish a grant agreement that will allow the City to receive the award funds. This process can take 6-12 months on average before the City can begin the project design and public engagement. 

“South Campbell is a critical corridor for residents, businesses, and visitors, and this grant gives us the opportunity to improve safety in a way that will have lasting benefits for the community,” said Public Works Director Dan Smith. “These improvements build on work already underway and reflect our commitment to safer streets for everyone.”

**Looking for Local Garage Bands!**

 Do you know of any garage bands in the Springfield area, especially within Seminole Holland? We are looking to connect with local musicians who play together for fun or gigs. Whether it's rock, blues, jazz, or any other genre, we'd love to hear about them! 

Please comment or message us with band names and contact info if you know of any groups. Thanks!

Protecting Our Neighborhood: Simple Steps to Deter Break-Ins

 

Recent reports from neighbors confirm what many of us have suspected: we're experiencing a wave of residential break-ins, with thieves targeting items that can be quickly pawned for cash. While we can't eliminate all risk, we can make our homes less appealing targets and help watch out for one another.

See Something, Say Something

This isn't just a slogan—it's our first line of defense. If you notice unfamiliar vehicles cruising slowly through the neighborhood, people checking door handles, or anyone who seems to be casing homes, trust your instincts. Call the Springfield Police Department's non-emergency line at (417) 864-1810, or 911 if the situation seems urgent. Don't assume someone else will report it.

If You Experience a Break-In

First and foremost, contact the Springfield Police Department immediately to file a report. This creates an official record and helps police identify patterns across the area.

After you've dealt with the immediate situation and filed your police report, please also reach out to the Seminole Holland Neighborhood Association. We track incidents in our area to help identify patterns and keep neighbors informed. You can contact us at:

• Email: SeminoleHolland@gmail.com
• Phone: (417) 942-1446
• Contact form: www.SeminoleHolland.org

Your report helps us understand what's happening in our neighborhood and allows us to alert other residents to be extra vigilant.

Lock It Up

Every unlocked door or window is an invitation. Make it a habit to secure all entry points, even when you're home. Don't forget:

• Garage doors and windows
• Sliding glass doors (add a security bar or dowel in the track)
• Windows on all floors
• Sheds and outbuildings where tools and equipment are stored

Light It Up

Darkness is a burglar's best friend. Motion-activated lighting around entry points, walkways, and dark corners of your property can startle would-be intruders and alert you to activity. Consider keeping front porch lights on overnight as well.

Secure Your Backyard

Adding locks to gates makes sense—yes, it's slightly less convenient for you, but that same inconvenience makes your property a less attractive target. Criminals prefer quick, easy access and fast escape routes. A locked gate forces them to reconsider.

Additional Protective Measures

Create the Appearance of Activity - Use timers on interior lights and radios when you're away. An occupied-looking home is far less appealing than one that's obviously empty.

Trim Your Landscaping - Overgrown shrubs and trees near windows and doors provide perfect hiding spots. Keep vegetation trimmed so there's clear visibility from the street.

Secure Valuables Out of Sight - Don't leave laptops, purses, jewelry, tools, or electronics visible through windows. Close your curtains or blinds, especially at night.

Get to Know Your Neighbors - The best security system is a connected community. Exchange phone numbers with neighbors on either side and across the street. We can watch each other's homes and report suspicious activity.

Install a Doorbell Camera - Even an inexpensive video doorbell can be a powerful deterrent and provide valuable evidence if something does happen.

Engrave or Mark Your Property - Use an engraving tool to mark serial numbers on electronics and valuable items. It makes them harder to pawn and easier to recover.

Don't Advertise Your Absence - Avoid posting vacation plans on social media, let the post office hold your mail, and ask a neighbor to move trash cans in and out on collection days.

Join the Seminole Holland Neighborhood Association

Membership is open to all residents in our area. An annual donation of any amount grants you membership and helps support neighborhood initiatives that make our community stronger and safer.

Stay connected through our private Facebook group: Seminole Holland Neighborhood Association Group. It's a great way to share information quickly, get to know your neighbors, and stay informed about what's happening in our area.

We're Stronger Together

Break-ins can leave us feeling violated and vulnerable, but we have power in community vigilance. The more we look out for one another and make our properties less appealing targets, the more likely criminals will move on to easier opportunities elsewhere.

Together, we can keep our neighborhood safe.

Seeking Neighborhood Works+ Project Ideas

 

Got an idea but no time to submit it? Call the Seminole Holland Neighborhood Association at 417-942-1446. We will get your idea submitted.

The City of Springfield is seeking neighborhood improvement project ideas from individual residents for potential funding through the Neighborhood Works+ program via an online idea submission form and in print through January 31.

Neighborhood Works+ is an expanded version of the City of Springfield’s longstanding Neighborhood Works program, thanks to a $5 million Spring Forward SGF sales tax allocation to deliver visible, high-impact neighborhood improvements.

The program focuses on collaboration between residents, Registered Neighborhood Associations, and the City’s multi-departmental team of Public Works, Planning and Development and Public Information Department staff to identify priority projects to improve livability, safety, and neighborhood pride. Projects may include, but are not limited to neighborhood corridor improvements, traffic calming, landscaping and beautification, pedestrian safety, stormwater drainage, sidewalk and trail connections, alleyway improvements and placemaking and community connectedness.

The City officially kicked off Neighborhood Works+ on Dec. 11 and launched the idea gathering phase of the program. More than 40 residents representing nearly all registered neighborhood associations were in attendance to learn more about the expanded program, timeline and idea submission process. 

“We want to use this money to start providing neighborhood benefits as quickly as we can,” said Public Works Assistant Director Brett Foster. “So we’re excited to launch this idea gathering phase and hope to receive as many neighborhood improvement ideas as possible.”

Following the idea gathering phase, the City’s staff team will assess project ideas and begin to group them into project concepts to be taken back to registered neighborhood associations in workshops anticipated in February/March. 

City staff is working alongside a subcommittee of the Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC) to determine scoring criteria based on readiness, feasibility and community value. Final project ideas are expected to be presented to the 1/2-cent Citizens Advisory Board for recommendation for City Council approval in the spring or summer. The first round of neighborhood projects is targeted to be under construction in fall of 2026.

Print idea forms and a submission box for completed forms are available at the Busch Municipal Building (840 N. Boonville Ave.). 

For full program details, materials from the kickoff meeting and to submit a project idea, visit springfieldmo.gov/nwplus

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Media Contact: Senior Communications Coordinator Kristen Milam at 573-819-3713 or kmilam@springfieldmo.gov. 

CALLING ALL PICKLE PEOPLE

 Your Neighborhood Needs You to Get LOUD!

Listen up, Seminole Holland fam – we've got the ultimate gig that pays in good vibes, Halloween candy, and actual MONEY for our neighborhood. 💰

The Deal: Cheer like your life depends on it at the Bass Pro Marathon on Sunday, November 2nd, and Bass Pro literally pays us for being awesome. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and all you have to do is show up and make some NOISE.

Where the Magic Happens: Jefferson Avenue, one block south of Cherokee. Look for the speaker blasting tunes that'll make you want to dance (because you absolutely should).

The Theme: 🥒 DANCING PICKLES 🥒 We're talking over-the-top, ridiculously enthusiastic, make-these-runners-feel-like-Olympic-champions level encouragement. Channel your inner pickle. Embrace the brine. Become one with the dill.

What to Wear:

• Option A: One-piece pickle costume (we've got 'em!)
• Option B: Literally anything green
• Option C: Both. Go crazy.

What to Bring:

• Noisemakers? YES.
• Video cameras? OBVIOUSLY.
• Leftover Halloween candy? We're sharing ours, but more is always better!

The Timeline:

• 6-7 AM: Help Will set up while sipping coffee like the champion you are
• 7 AM-ish: Fastest runners zoom by
• Throughout the day: Runners pass our spot TWICE (double the fun!)
• ~2 PM: Last runners cruise through

Pop in for an hour or stay all day – every bit of enthusiasm helps fill our neighborhood treasury AND gets you your steps in. Win-win-win.

Ready to Pickle? 📞 Text Will: 816-289-6485 ✍️ Sign up: https://bit.ly/2025BassPro

Let's get loud, get weird, and get PAID for our neighborhood. See you there, pickles! 🥒🎉

Citywide remapping meetings start Tuesday

 The first of five drop-in meetings to discuss the citywide remapping will take place 4:30-6 p.m. Tuesday at The Library Station, 2535 N. Kansas Expressway. 

The remapping meetings will be held in each City Council zone, plus a final citywide meeting Nov. 13 at the Greene County Elections Center. The content of each meeting will be the same, so residents should feel free to attend the meeting most convenient for their schedule. 

All of the meetings will take place 4:30-6 p.m. and are open-house style, so residents can drop in anytime between 4:30 and 6 to meet with Planning & Development Department staff. No formal presentation is planned.

Schedule 

• Zone 1 meeting: Oct. 28 at The Library Station, 2535 N. Kansas Expressway.
• Zone 2 meeting: Oct. 30 at Pittman Elementary School, 2934 E. Bennett.
• Zone 3 meeting: Nov. 10 at Chesterfield Family Center, 2511 W. Republic Road. This meeting was originally scheduled for a different location. Please note the location change to Chesterfield Family Center.
• Zone 4 meeting: Nov. 5 at Kickapoo High School, 3710 S. Jefferson.
• Citywide meeting: Nov. 13 at the Elections Center, 1126 N. Boonville Ave.

“We know that neighbors will have questions and we are here to answer them,” said Senior Planner Hanna Knopf. “If you are unable to attend one of the meetings, would prefer a one-on-one meeting during business hours with staff or have additional questions, please contact us at forwardSGF@springfieldmo.gov or 417-864-1300.

For more information, click here.

Last Call: Fall 2025 Neighborhood Watch Training in Southeast Springfield

 Mark Your Calendars for October 28th

If you live in southeast Springfield and have been thinking about getting more involved in your community's safety, now's your chance. Officer Brandan Locke from the Springfield Police Department is issuing a final reminder about the fall 2025 Neighborhood Watch training happening this Tuesday.

Event Details

When: Tuesday, October 28th, 2025
Time: 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Where: South District Police Station
Who Should Attend: Anyone interested in becoming part of their neighborhood watch program

Why Join Neighborhood Watch?

Neighborhood Watch programs are the backbone of community policing in Springfield. These volunteer-based initiatives bring neighbors together to:

• Create safer, more connected communities
• Learn how to recognize and report suspicious activity
• Build relationships with local law enforcement
• Develop emergency preparedness skills
• Foster a sense of collective responsibility for neighborhood safety

The training session will equip participants with the knowledge and tools they need to be effective watch members while working collaboratively with the Springfield Police Department.

How to Register

This is a last call for registration, so don't delay. If you're interested in attending:

Email Officer Brandan Locke directly at: blocke@springfieldmo.gov

Space may be limited, so reach out as soon as possible to secure your spot.

Get Involved

Whether you're a longtime resident or new to the area, Neighborhood Watch training offers an excellent opportunity to meet your neighbors and take an active role in keeping southeast Springfield safe. The commitment you make on Tuesday evening could have lasting positive impacts on your community.

For questions about the training or the Neighborhood Watch program in general, contact Officer Locke at 417-864-1140 or via email.

Don't miss this opportunity to make a difference in your neighborhood. See you Tuesday!

Join the Dancing Pickles at Bass Pro Cheering Challenge!

 

Get Your Green On: 

Mark your calendars and set those clocks back – the Seminole Holland Neighborhood Association needs YOU on Sunday, November 2nd!

We're taking on the Bass Pro Cheering Challenge again, and this year we're bringing the fun as The Dancing Pickles! This isn't just about cheering on marathon runners (though that's pretty awesome) – it's about winning cash for our neighborhood and funding the beloved Summer Bash in June.

Why Your Energy Matters

To qualify for a Bass Pro grant, we need at least 10 volunteers with a minimum of 4 people present at all times throughout the race. Translation: we need your smiling face, your loudest cheer, and maybe your best pickle dance moves!

The Details You Need

When: Sunday, November 2, 2025
⏰ Don't forget: Clocks fall back one hour that morning!

Where: South Jefferson Avenue & East McGee Street (one block south of E Cherokee Street)
🅿️ Parking available on Cherokee Street

Setup Time: 6:00 AM (first runners pass shortly after 7:00 AM)

Shifts: Two hours each – volunteer for one or more, or even just part of a shift. Every minute helps!

What We're Bringing to the Party

We've got everything you need to be an award-winning cheering section:

• Slip-over pickle costumes (yes, really!)
• Eye-catching signage
• Noisemakers galore
• Beverages for runners
• A winning attitude

What to Bring

• Yourself (preferably in green!)
• A lawn chair for comfort
• Snacks and water
• Your favorite noisemaker (or use ours)
• Enthusiasm and your best dance moves

Not a Morning Person?

No problem! Any donation of time will be gratefully accepted. We'll work with your schedule.

Ready to Join the Fun?

Sign up now: https://bit.ly/2025BassPro

Questions? Contact the SHNA Board Secretary at 417-942-1446 (phone or text welcome).

Let's make some noise, have a blast, and bring home the prize for Seminole Holland! Who knew being a dancing pickle could be this rewarding?

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This major fundraiser supports our neighborhood association and makes the Summer Bash possible. Let's show Bass Pro what our community is made of!

Join Us for an Important Community Discussion

 

Your Voice Matters: 

Mark your calendars for Thursday, October 23rd!

The Seminole Holland Neighborhood Association and Meador Park Neighborhood Association are joining forces to bring you critical information about changes that could affect our community's future.

What's Happening?

City Planning staff will be presenting details about the citywide remapping process—a significant initiative that will shape how our neighborhoods develop and grow in the years to come. This is your opportunity to learn firsthand how these changes may impact your property, your street, and your quality of life.

Event Details

When: Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 6:30 PM
Where: Cowden Elementary School, 2927 S Kimbrough Avenue
Who: All neighborhood residents are welcome and encouraged to attend

Why You Should Attend

Understanding the remapping process is crucial for every homeowner and resident. This meeting offers you the chance to:

• Get accurate information directly from city planning experts
• Ask questions about how remapping affects your neighborhood
• Connect with your neighbors who share your concerns
• Make your voice heard in shaping our community's future

Questions?

Contact your neighborhood association representatives for more information. We look forward to seeing you there—because informed residents make stronger neighborhoods!

Together, we're building a better community.