About IDEA Commons
Building a dynamic community
What do innovation, design, entrepreneurship and the arts have in common? Each of these elements leads to a dynamic and creative community.
Missouri State University developed a vision of an urban research park in Springfield, and IDEA Commons is the product of that vision. It’s a collaborative community effort – bringing together corporations, the University, lofts, non-profits and retail space– a downtown community where people from all walks of life can live, shop, learn, create and work.
IDEA Commons thrives with creative talent and is structured to:
- Develop a sense of place that will be attractive to young talent
- Revitalize the downtown neighborhood with a combination of renovation of current properties as well as new construction
- Expand opportunities for business development and commercializing research
- Develop University partnerships with entrepreneurs
- Attract and retain creative, innovative and entrepreneurial human capital
- Promote economic development through new job opportunities
Sharing the vision
With the support of the City of Springfield, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Urban Districts Alliance and many other area groups, the district of IDEA Commons continues to grow sharing a vision and a set of common goals.