The Springfield State of the City address Thursday night, delivered for a fourth consecutive time by Mayor Christine Lundberg, carried an upbeat tone highlighting accomplishments in the city that occurred in 2013, and ambitious goals and plans for the year ahead.
![Mind the Gap performs at the Springfield, Ore. State of the City address Jan. 9, 2014 Photo: Slava Foursa]()
Mind the Gap performs at the Springfield, Ore. State of the City address Jan. 9, 2014
Photo: Slava Foursa
Not to be outdone by the classic rock theme of Monday’s State of the County address, the evening started with a performance by the University of Oregon’s co-ed a capella group, Mind the Gap, which closed its energetic show with a rendition of “Be Good to Yourself” by Journey.
After being introduced by City Councilor Marilee Woodrow, Mayor Lundberg proclaimed the state of Springfield in 2014 as being strong, proud, diverse and united.
“Springfield taxpayers have made public safety a top priority”
After this statement, Lundberg was quick to reference the fact individuals from outside the city have typecast Springfield in a negative and unfair light, citing an example of a University of Oregon student who had told her he did not want to live in Springfield due to a perception the city is unsafe. Lundberg stated the stereotypes about the city are based on ignorance, pointing to the fact Springfield has a lower crime rate than the city where the student lives.
![Springfield, Ore. Mayor Christine presents the State of the City address Jan. 9, 2014 Photo: Slava Foursa]()
Springfield, Ore. Mayor Christine presents the State of the City address Jan. 9, 2014
Photo: Slava Foursa
“I’m in that observation phase, getting to know people in the organization [police department], getting to know some incredible folks. I am coming to understand the culture of the city, and quite honestly, I’m not sure any changes will need to be made,” said Tim Doney, who started his duties as Chief of Police Dec. 18, when asked if he planned to implement any changes in the department.
“Now, the future of downtown is even brighter”
Lundberg cited the opening of numerous businesses downtown as a catalyst for a continued resurgence of the city’s downtown core.
Additionally, the Second Friday Art Walk and the opening of the SPROUT Farmer’s market in its new permanent location have brought numbers of new people downtown shopping every Friday.
Of course, downtown literally is going to become brighter, as the city is investing $220,000 to install new lighting this summer, in response to both visitors and business owners putting that at the top of their wish lists for revitalization of the area.
The 2014 Mayor’s Business Award was bestowed upon Plank Town Brewing, a brewpub/restaurant which opened on Main St. last spring. “The place is packed, and it has changed the attitude of downtown Springfield,” said Lundberg.
The Culture of Springfield
![Springfield, Ore. Mayor Christine Lundberg presenting the 2014 State of the City address Jan. 9, 2014 Photo: Slava Foursa]()
Springfield, Ore. Mayor Christine Lundberg presenting the 2014 State of the City address Jan. 9, 2014
Photo: Slava Foursa
Building upon the success of the annual Veteran’s Day and Christmas parades, Springfield is solidifying new traditions, with its participation in the area’s annual Martin Luther King March, last summer’s Biggest Loser walk/run and the 2nd Annual Nick Symmonds Springfield 800, which is the only sanctioned 800-meter road race in the world.
An event the city started in 2013 is El Grito, which is the celebration of the Independence of Mexico and all countries, which takes place in September. The 2014 installment of this event will include the Mayor’s Soccer Tournament.
The city is going to sponsor a graffiti clean-up event this summer, and is also expanding the SNIPS program. The SNIPS program started in partnership with WAGS to offer low-cost spay and neuter services for cats with owners, and will expand to include the spay and neutering of feral cats.
The city also announced the upcoming addition to significant art pieces, one of which is described as a one-of-a-kind piece for downtown being designed by a world renowned artist. The other will be placed in the Gateway area, described as a beacon to encourage drivers to exit I-5 and drive into Springfield. More information will be coming soon, but in regards to the Gateway installation, Lundberg said to “keep your eyes open….and up!”
“The Spirit of Springfield”
![Mayor Christine Lundberg presents the "Spirit of Springfield" award to John Brown at the State of the City address Jan. 9, 2014 Photo: Slava Foursa]()
Mayor Christine Lundberg presents the “Spirit of Springfield” award to John Brown at the State of the City address Jan. 9, 2014
Photo: Slava Foursa
In front of the audience of about 200 people, Lundberg awarded the “Spirit of Springfield” award to John Brown, who has spent the last 40 years cleaning riverbanks around the county. Brown was lauded for his commitment to the environment, saying in a video played to the audience, “Once this stuff [car batteries, syringes, etc] hits the water, they end up in the system for a long time, and hundreds of thousands of Oregonians drink this water.
“I think it was a moment to look at the differences in the community, and see how vivid and rich we view our city. It’s a good reminder to Springfield residents to always be talking about the positive things that happen here,” said City Councilor Sean VanGordon, when asked his thoughts on the reference to stereotypes about the city earlier in the address.
Lundberg closed the address with the following:
We are Springfield - strong, and proud, and diverse and united. Thank you.