FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The City of Springfield is collecting public input regarding an ordinance to adopt a new flag design created by the Springfield Identity Project in 2017.
Council will hear a first reading of the ordinance at the 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13 meeting and continue the public hearing at the Monday, Jan. 10, 2022 meeting, with a vote anticipated Jan. 10. Citizens may sign up anytime before title of the bill is read in the meeting to speak to the issue once at either the Dec. 13 meeting or the Jan. 10 meeting online or by calling 417-864-1651.
Those interested in sharing their feedback may also do so online or via a paper comment form available at Springfield-Greene County Library District branches, Coffee Ethic, Mudhouse and Hotel Vandivort or call 417-864-1888 to provide feedback. Feedback will be taken until 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7. Feedback will be provided to council before the vote.
Previous citizen input on the flag issue
The City’s Department of Public Information & Civic Engagement conducted an informal survey on the current Springfield flag and the proposed new flag in August.
A description of the history of both the current flag and the proposed new flag was provided, along with an explanation of the symbolism behind each design.
When asked which flag option they are most supportive of, 72% of the survey’s nearly 3,500 respondents indicated the proposed City flag. About 19% indicated a preference for the current flag and about 8% indicated they were interested in other flag design options. Full results.
About the proposed flag’s design
In the center is a dark blue and white eight-pointed emblem, called the "Compass Crown." The compass point design represents Springfield's role as a crossroads to the nation. The crown is a reference to Springfield's nickname, Queen City of the Ozarks. Three four-pointed stars represent three elements of the city: innovative spirit, connection with nature and Ozarks culture. A broad white horizontal stripe is meant to symbolize the Ozark Plateau, on which Springfield was built, and Route 66. A light blue background represents Ozarks water and skies.
“A city’s flag should elicit feelings of civic pride,” says Cora Scott, director of Public Information and Civic Engagement for the City of Springfield. “City Council wants to know if Springfield citizens connect with the new flag designed by the Springfield Identity Project and whether citizens support council adopting it as the official City flag.”
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For more information, please contact Cora Scott at 417-380-3352 or [email protected].