Workforce Housing Proposed Near Springfield’s Medical Mile Faces Neighborhood Concerns
A nearly 200-unit apartment complex, dubbed The Reserve at Medical Mile, is proposed for construction near Springfield’s Medical Mile, aiming to provide workforce housing for employees of the area’s major healthcare facilities. The project, though, has sparked concerns among nearby residents regarding increased traffic and building height.
Project Details and Location
The proposed development, located at 3302 S. Maryland Ave., west of National Avenue and near Walnut Lawn Street, would consist of a four-story apartment building on approximately 7.4 acres. Currently, the property is a parking lot situated west of Mercy medical clinics and north of the CoxHealth medical campus and Meyer Orthopedic & Surgical Hospital as reported by the Springfield News-Leader. Developers anticipate the majority of tenants will be medical employees.
The Reserve at Medical Mile is planned to include 198 units, potentially increasing to 202. The building’s design incorporates a “U” shape, featuring primarily one-bedroom units, alongside some two-bedroom, two-bath and three-bedroom, two-bath options. The development will include 313 parking spaces, with 36 enclosed in garages. Amenities are planned to include a dog park, a pool, and a community/fitness space, with over half of the site preserved as green space according to the News-Leader.
Zoning and Planning Commission Approval
The project requires rezoning from the Springfield Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council to a Planned Development, a zoning district with specific requirements and a detailed site plan. A portion of the property was previously zoned for Planned Development dating back to 1990, encompassing the 22 acres now occupied by Mercy medical buildings. The proposed rezoning seeks to increase density and building height, allowing for a four-story apartment building where previously only two stories were permitted.
Despite opposition from some residents, the Springfield Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval of the rezoning on March 12, 2026, with a 5-2 vote. Commissioners Eric Pauly and David Jacquez opposed the rezoning, while Commissioners Randall Doennig and Layne Hunton were absent as detailed in the Springfield News-Leader.
Neighborhood Concerns
Nearby residents have voiced concerns about increased traffic on Walnut Lawn and Maryland streets, particularly at the roundabout intersection. Residents also expressed worries about potential impacts on emergency vehicle response times. Some residents requested a reduction in building height to three stories, citing concerns about privacy and compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood.
Developers have proposed a six-foot-tall wooden privacy fence and additional landscaping to buffer the development from neighboring homes, with gates for homeowner access. They also argue that the apartment complex would generate less traffic than a medical building, which is already permitted under current zoning, as residents would live close to their workplaces as reported by the News-Leader.
Next Steps
The rezoning case will now proceed to the Springfield City Council for a public hearing on April 6, 2026, with a final vote expected at a subsequent meeting. The developers estimate the project will cost between $30 million and $40 million according to city documents.