'We got one of the strip clubs gone, and one bar's gone'

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. - From billiards and strippers to pencils and calculators: downtown Springfield is going through quite the transformation.

"We got one of the strip clubs gone, and one bar's gone, and things are stepping up," said Glenn Myers, a downtown merchant.

The last of the strip clubs on Main Street shut down, falling to momentum that started when the City Council denied a liquor license to a strip club a few years ago.  

More bars closed over time, and that took a bite out of crime.

"We've managed to make some changes that eliminated those activities and now we are seeing the results," said Gino Grimaldi, the city manager.

Grimaldi said the results include more investment in downtown.

A former pool hall has given way for new A3 Academy classrooms. The contractors from McKenzie Commercial said the job is ahead of schedule. The classrooms will be ready by Sept. 1.

"It's a really interesting space because it's open and going to create a lot of flexibility on how we run the classrooms," said teacher Jason Valley.

Grant money will pay to take down the signs at the old Silver Lace Club, fix the interior and lease the space.

"You're going to have all this activity, people coming down to the brewpub to activate the streets at night, so it's safe," said building owner Bill Ruff. "I think you're going to see huge changes by this fall."

That outlook makes merchants like Myers very happy.

"It's improved a lot, improved a lot already," he said. "More families are coming down here and walking around."