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Byline: The Register-Guard

City plays name game with justice center complex

For now, the under-construction building off Pioneer Parkway near City Hall is known simply as the "Springfield justice center."

City Police Chief Jerry Smith believes that temporary title should become official. Others disagree, and it appears that somebody's name - perhaps Smith's - will be attached to the new complex.

The city's Police Planning Task Force has asked the City Council to name the building for Smith, a 37-year veteran of Springfield's police force.

Meanwhile, a letter-writing campaign is under way in support of naming it after Ed Harms, a two-term mayor and longtime city attorney who died in 2005.

City Manager Gino Grimaldi said he expects to form an honorary naming committee in the next few weeks.

The group's meetings will be advertised to give members of the public a chance to provide their own opinions.

The $30 million, voter-approved justice center will include a new police station, municipal court and 100-bed city jail. The police and courts portion will be completed this fall, with the jail expected to be finished in 2010.

Affordable housing finds home in downtown core

Ultimately, city officials hope developers will build a mix of new downtown apartments and condominiums to accommodate people of varying incomes, high and low.

But for now, all they're seeing in the downtown corridor is a smattering of affordable-housing proposals geared toward lower-income individuals and families.

One such project was completed last year. Two more are in the works.

Downtown's largest and most visible affordable-A-housing development is the 33-unit Royal Building, a brand-new five-story structure at Fifth and Main streets.

Meanwhile, two more affordable-housing proposals for downtown Springfield are being contemplated.

Local nonprofit agencies Brethren Community Services and ShelterCare plan to construct a 20-unit, three-story apartment building for low-income people near 10th and Main streets.

A second downtown proposal calls for construction of eight condominiums atop The Office restaurant at the corner of Sixth and Main streets.

Meth seized, three arrested on felony drug charges

A six-month multiagency investigation culminated last week with the arrest of three Springfield residents on federal drug charges and the seizure of three pounds of methamphetamine, several guns and cash.

Two other men were arrested on immigration violations.

Maribel Chavez Florez, 32, Israel Zarco Solorion, 26, and Joel Silva Ortiz, 21, were charged with possession and delivery of methamphetamine. Ramon Alvarez Garcia, 21, and Joel Zarco Solorion, 26, were arrested on immigration violations.

The Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team executed federal search warrants in Springfield, at residences on the 100 block of U Street and the 4000 block of South 40th Street, and at two storage units on 35th Street, according to Capt. Richard Harrison of the Springfield Police Department.

INET members found the methamphetamine, $30,000 in cash, at least five guns, a small amount of cocaine, packaging material and digital scales.

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