Alissa Zhu

DZHU@NEWS-LEADER.COM

Kearney Street was once a cruising hotspot for young people from all over southwest Missouri. Now Springfield leaders want to tap into that nostalgia to boost economic activity along the Northside corridor.

Springfield City Council voted 6-0 Monday night to promote classic car cruising on Kearney on certain nights each month this summer. Council members Craig Hosmer and Kristi Fulnecky were absent and one council seat is currently vacant.

Councilwoman Phyllis Ferguson, who represents Zone 1 in northwest Springfield, sponsored the resolution.

“I think the possibility of classic car cruising brings enormous opportunities to the businesses on Kearney and really all of north Springfield,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson noted that Springfield already hosts some successful car-themed events.

"When the street rides come to Springfield over Memorial Day weekend, the economic impact of those vehicles — over 2,000 of them — is $2.4 million to this city," Ferguson said. "So cruisers make a difference."

In what Ferguson called a "pilot project," the city will encourage people to cruise on Kearney from 6 to 10 p.m. on the second Friday of each month from April through September or October.

Decades ago, Kearney Street drew hundreds of people to show off their cars, hang out with friends and meet new people. For hours, motorists would drive up and down the stretch of road as spectators gathered just off the curb.

The raucous crowds brought some business, but also problems, like litter, vandalism and miles of bumper-to-bumper traffic.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Springfield cracked down on cruising in different parts of town, leading to a citywide cruising ordinance. "No Cruising" signs are still posted on Kearney.

According to a press release from the city, former Councilman Doug Burlison sponsored a successful bill in 2015 that basically allowed cruising again, except for in designated areas and times.

Jesse Jantz, a co-founder of Midwest Auto Alliance, spoke in favor of the resolution at Monday night's meeting.

Jantz said his organization will work with businesses and car clubs to help make cruising nights more organized and less chaotic.

Jantz described how cruising could bring more business to Northside: "This would drive traffic to areas on weekends for car enthusiasts to stop and watch cars going by and cruising into the lot. And along with that, those cruisers will grab a hamburger from McDonalds, an ice cream cone at Dairy Queen. They'll stop for a drink at Taco Bell, go in for a bite at Kearney Street Cafe."

Christina Dicken, the president of the Doling Neighborhood Association, said cruising is not a "fix-all" but it could help "breathe a little bit of new life" into north Springfield.

Joann Wolf, also with the Doling Neighborhood Association, has owned a screen-printing and embroidery shop on Kearney Street since 2007.

Wolf said she's "not a huge car enthusiast" and has never cruised but is excited for business opportunities.

Wolf said she hopes cruising nights will help do the same thing for Kearney Street that Artwalk does for downtown — give people a reason to visit and developers a reason to invest in Kearney Street.

Tonya Pike, secretary of the Route 66 Association of Missouri, told the News-Leader she was skeptical of how much economic activity cruising would bring to Kearney.

Pike said she and her friends used to cruise on Kearney in their high school and college years, but doubts many of them would pick it up again: "We've moved on."

"They can do away with the cruising law if they want, but it's not going to bring young people back to cruise the streets," Pike said. "They're not into cars like people of my generation."

Pike said a well-organized cruising event could draw interest from car enthusiasts.

"I'm a true Missourian — show me. I'm not saying it's impossible and it couldn't happen but it's going to depend on the approach they take with it," Pike said.

Pike said she hopes that Kearney won't experience any of the issues that used to come with cruising, such as vandalism, traffic and obstruction of emergency vehicles.

Pike believes the city should continue to focus on making Springfield a destination for people interested in Historic Route 66.

City Manager Greg Burris said the Kearney Street cruises' focus would be on classic cars, but any vehicle could participate. The city would promote events through branding and advertising.

Burris said part of the cruising push will be to celebrate Kearney's Street's connection to Historic Route 66.

Ferguson said the city-sanctioned cruising nights will be kicked off with a special event on May 26.

Other council news

Councilwoman Jan Fisk was voted by her colleagues to become mayor pro tem.

The position on City Council became open after the previous mayor pro tem, Ken McClure, was sworn in as mayor.

Councilman Craig Fishel nominated Fisk noting that, "In addition to being a calm voice on City Council, she has shown over and again that she is willing to patiently listen to input and provide thoughtful deliberation before making smart decisions."

No other council members were nominated for the title.

If McClure is not present at a meeting, mayor pro tem Fisk will step in to fulfill his duties.