Public Beam Signing Highlights Progress on County HUB

Sangamon County held a third public beam signing event on January 26 at the Sangamon County Building. The signed structural steel beam, which will become part of the Hub’s permanent framework, is currently displayed on the building’s first floor and remains open for public signatures ahead of its installation.

County Board Chairman Andy Van Meter was joined by Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, State Senator Doris Turner, County Board members, and local officials for the event, which recognized the long-term collaboration behind the project. Brief remarks were delivered before attendees signed the beam, continuing a tradition that allows community members and public officials to take part in the Hub’s development.

Van Meter opened the event by thanking members of the state and federal delegation for their sustained commitment, noting that the project advanced because of leaders who stood behind it during difficult moments. “This is our opportunity as a community to say thank you to our state and congressional leadership who have worked so hard on this program,” Van Meter said, adding that the project is now visibly coming together as it moves toward a projected completion in the fall of 2027.

Turner reflected on her long-standing involvement with the Hub, recalling her early support for the project and the effort required to move it forward. Looking at the growing number of signatures on the beam, she emphasized the collective nature of the work. “As I’m looking at all of the signatures on this beam, this just shows you what a collective community project this really is,” Turner said, describing the Hub as a transformational investment for Sangamon County.

Budzinski thanked county leadership for the invitation and highlighted the collaborative approach that brought the project to its current stage. “It’s a great example of local, state, and federal resources coming together to support our community and move it forward,” Budzinski said, noting that she has been proud to serve as a partner on the final stages of the project since her election in 2022.

The Springfield–Sangamon County Hub will consolidate Amtrak, Greyhound, and Sangamon Mass Transit District services at a single site on 9th Street. A pedestrian bridge spanning the 10th Street railroad tracks will directly connect the Sangamon County Building to the Amtrak station, improving access to county services and regional transportation.

Beyond transportation services, the Hub will include a parking garage, improved streetscapes, and consolidated county office space. Public amenities are planned throughout the building, including digital information displays and a grab-and-go coffee area.

The Hub will also feature permanent exhibits highlighting local history, including an exhibit dedicated to the 1908 Springfield Race Riot. Artifacts uncovered during archaeological work tied to the rail relocation project will be incorporated through a partnership with the Illinois State Museum, which is developing the exhibit with a community-centered approach. Space is also planned for the Springfield–Sangamon County Sports Hall of Fame.

As the event concluded, attendees and members of the public were invited to continue signing the beam while it remains on display in the County Building. Once installed, the beam will serve as a lasting symbol of the collaboration and community support behind the Springfield–Sangamon County Hub.