Amazon distribution center coming to Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Amazon is bringing a distribution center to Springfield near I-55, according to Ryan McCrady, President and CEO of Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance.

The distribution center is being built on the southeast corner of Bissell Road and North Dirksen Parkway.

Sangamon County property records show Amazon bought the 31-acre site for just under $3 million earlier this year.

Springfield City Council approved plans in October for "Project Capitol," which was described as a large scale development. It's not known why Amazon's name isn't on the documents.

Plans approved by the city call for a 71,000 square-foot warehouse distribution center. It will have three access points along Bissell Road and the developer, Ryan Companies U.S., will make improvements to Bissell Road.

Sangamon County Board Member Greg Stumpf asked at the planning commission meeting in September about the name of the business but was told, "the developer is unable to divulge the business at this time."

It's not clear when the warehouse would open or how people Amazon would be employed at the facility.

Dr. Robert Kerr, the Executive Director of Innovation and Opportunity at the UIS Innovation Center, said he had been in contact with Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance about the possibility of an Amazon Distribution Hub coming to Springfield. "What's most exciting is that there's going to be kind of a reverberating effect to the economy, especially when you're talking about employment." Kerr explained. "You introduce both the construction jobs that are -- of course -- going to be needed to build this facility. And then I think they were talking about, you know, up to 100 permanent jobs."

Kerr explained that there would be a ripple effect on the entire community. "Gas stations at Sangamon and Dirksen, of course, are going to have higher demand. Restaurants in the area are going to have higher demand...And then as that demand kind of reverberates out throughout the city, we're going to see additional growth. So this impact, it's going to be felt immediately and then ongoing in Springfield and the entire region."

Kerr also expressed the want for possible collaboration and partnership with Amazon. "University, community college students that are interested in, you know, transportation distribution or logistics careers are going to have, you know, a place right in our own town where they're going to be able to learn from professionals."

Amazon has not responded to WAND News about the distribution center.

This is a developing story.