Springfield/Clark County has a rich and diverse history dating back to as early as 700. Whether you prefer bustling city life or quiet, country living, options for housing in Springfield/Clark County are plentiful and can accommodate many lifestyle desires. The area has a long history of stable housing values and high-quality homes at lower prices than surrounding communities. No matter where you choose to live within the county, travel is rarely problematic with ready access to well-maintained surface streets and highways.
Within the city, many varied neighborhoods situated on tree-lined streets impart a more peaceful experience while providing all of the requisite urban amenities. Unique residential areas bring forth endless possibilities depending on your personal living requirements—homes of all sizes with as much or little land as you’d like to care for. If you have the urge to fix up your own place, there are many older, even historic homes that yearn for your attention. Other neighborhoods offer new construction. If your needs fall somewhere in between, there are many lovely homes to satisfy.
The City of Springfield, in conjunction with many partners and service providers, has quite a few historic areas that are being developed. The South Fountain Avenue Historic District continues to work to preserve and maintain many beautiful homes with a rich local history. The Westcott House Foundation (in cooperation with the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy) has restored a true local treasure, the Burton J. Westcott House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. On East High Street adjacent to the Westcott House, The Turner Foundation is restoring a number of historic homes that, upon completion, are available for sale to private owners. The Center City Association is developing downtown loft housing in renovated buildings and provides senior living facilities.
If city life isn’t for you, purchasing a home in the county will bring much-desired quiet and wide-open spaces. Within Clark County, Springfield Township and the villages of Catawba, Donnelsville, Enon, Lawrenceville, New Carlisle, North Hampton, South Charleston, South Vienna, and Tremont, residential neighborhoods with larger yards abound. If you’d prefer more privacy, existing homes on larger, more secluded lots as well as land ready for development can be had.
Throughout the county, apartments, condominiums, and town homes can provide the feel of a neighborhood, some with tennis courts and swimming pools, most without the care and maintenance associated with owning a single-family dwelling.
Seniors looking for a lifestyle change have many viable options. There are independent and assisted-living facilities, high-rise apartments and one-story complexes, condominiums, and retirement
communities, all within easy reach of shopping and health care facilities.
YOUR HEALTHCARE
Springfield/Clark County is privileged to have high-quality comprehensive healthcare services available from Springfield Regional Medical Center and other health agencies. In addition to the existing innovative and award-winning services available, there are exciting new developments on the horizon.
Community Mercy Health Partners (CMHP) is changing the face of healthcare in Springfield/Clark County. CMHP is focused on improving overall access to higher, quality medical services and enhancing the recruitment and the development of resources for new health programs. CMHP has committed to constructing a state-of-the-art regional hospital, which is slated to open in 2012. The campus, which is to be built in Springfield’s urban core, will go beyond an acute care hospital to create a healing environment that promotes health and recovery and ministers to the well-being of patients, families, medical staff, associates and volunteers.
As the largest employer in Clark County, CMHP employs over 3,200 health care professionals, including more than 300 physicians to serve its patients. Currently, CMHP operates Springfield Regional Medical Center – High St. Campus and Springfield Regional Medical Center – Fountain Boulevard Campus in Springfield. The High Street Campus provides inpatient services for residents of Clark County and surrounding communities, while the Fountain Boulevard Campus primarily serves as an outpatient facility.
With a comprehensive range of services, Springfield Regional Medical Center provides on-site medical/surgical specialties, emergency services, rehabilitation therapies, acute rehabilitation and transitional care, complete cardiac services including a nationally recognized open heart surgery program, respiratory services, diagnostic services including MRT, CT and PET scanning, neurosciences (sleep disorders) programs, occupational health services, corporate wellness services and chemical dependency treatment services.
Springfield Regional Medical Center has been recognized by the Premier healthcare alliance as a winner of the Premier Award for Quality. Springfield Regional Medical Center is one of 27 winners out of more than 3,800 eligible hospitals nationwide. The Award for Quality recognizes leading healthcare organizations that efficiently provide outstanding patient care and consistently set the standard in clinical excellence nationwide.
The Springfield Regional Cancer Center, a member of CMHP, is located in downtown Springfield. The 22,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility provides cancer patients and their families with the latest advancements in cancer care and technology. In a convenient, healing environment the center provides outpatient medical oncology, chemotherapy, infusion services, and radiation oncology. Designed to care for the physical, as well as emotional and spiritual needs of patients, the center offers support services and resources for patients and their families and includes a community resource library and ample space for support groups. These and other services are coordinated with assistance from the American Cancer Society.
The Springfield Regional School of Nursing has more than a century of service to Clark County and the surrounding communities. With its focus on clinical care and excellence, the school continues to provide the community with much-needed health care professionals. Through a partnership with Urbana University, the school offers an associate’s degree in health sciences, a BSN completion degree, and a two-year registered nursing degree. With its focus on clinical care and experience, the school continues to provide the community with much needed healthcare professionals. To learn more about the school, visit www.srschoolofnursing.org.
CMHP also offers a comprehensive network of long-term care facilities, retirement communities, home health care services and a variety of outreach programs. In Urbana, facilities include Mercy Memorial Hospital and Mercy McAuley Center. Dayton is home to Mercy Siena Retirement Community.
CMHP is a member of Catholic Healthcare Partners of Cincinnati, the largest not-for-profit health system in Ohio and one of the largest in the nation.
For more information, please visit www.Community-Mercy.org.
TRANSPORTATION
Springfield/Clark County’s central location and accessibility to both land and air routes make it the perfect choice for businesses and individuals to call home. Whether you choose to drive or fly, Springfield isn’t far from anywhere. By air, in 90 minutes or less, area residents can be visiting 70% of the country’s employers, 69% of the country’s population and 67% of the country’s businesses.
Major highways provide access to and from the city with ease. Interstate 70 runs east and west through Clark County; just 18 miles to the west is Interstate 75, the major north/south route in the Western portion of the state. I-675, only 10 miles to the west, provides a convenient alternate route around the city of Dayton.
I-675 provides an expedient link to Interstate 71. The major north/south route for the Central and Eastern portions of the state can be accessed 30 miles to the southeast. U.S. Route 40, the historic National Road, runs through Springfield from east to west and U.S. Route 68 and S.R. 72 allow north/south access to the city.
Dayton International Airport, home of the annual Dayton International Air Show, is located 23 miles west of Springfield on Interstate 70. The airport provides commercial service as well as freight services with local pick-up and delivery available. Port Columbus International Airport provides commercial service and is 45 minutes to the east via Interstates 70 and 71.
The Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport, located south of the city, is a full-service fixed base operator that offers commercial and charter air service, fueling, maintenance, and instructional/recreational services; Sunbird Air Services, located at the airport, provides air freight and passenger charters. The facility also houses the local divisions of the Ohio Air National Guard, a military reserve unit. Airpark Ohio is a fully developed industrial park bordering the airport with acreage for lease.
Other travel and shipping options are readily available. Greyhound Bus Lines serves the area and offers the national traveler many choices. Motor freight companies with local terminals include MMS Trucking, Active Transportation, U.S. Express, Werner Enterprises, and Boyd Brothers Transportation. For personal moving and transportation needs, there are many local moving, storage and delivery services in the area.
Two rail lines, Norfolk Southern and Indiana & Ohio (I & O), allow connections between Springfield and anyplace else in North America. The I & O, a short rail system, operates its own lines as well as those belonging to the West Central Port Authority. Springfield was named one of the Top 10 rail access cities by Rail America, the largest short-line operator in the country.
The Springfield City Area Transit (SCAT) has provided local transportation for area residents since 1969. All fixed-route buses are equipped with lift access for the handicapped and buses feature a kneeling mode for easy boarding. The city also has a paratransit service for those whose handicaps prevent them from utilizing the fixed-route system. The main bus terminal, recently renovated, is located in downtown Springfield.
RELIGION
The Springfield/Clark County community is home to many faiths, including both Eastern and Western religions. Most denominations hold regular services and have complementary activities including youth programs, music programs, and community service. Many churches and religious organizations participate in local programs that reach beyond their congregations. Offerings include various services to area families, children, individuals, and those in need of shelter, food, and clothing. Springfield/Clark County’s religious organizations have a history of working together to foster cooperation and fellowship among congregations.
