Rountree Council for Preservation

You know what kills anxiety?

Doing something.

Not thinking about doing something. Not planning to do something. Not meeting about doing something.

Actually doing it.

The same is true for your community. The towns that are stuck are stuck because everyone is waiting for someone else to go first. Waiting for permission. Waiting for the perfect plan. Waiting for the right moment.

The right moment is now. The perfect plan is starting. The permission you need is your own.

Go first. Someone has to.

A rundown house affects everyone's property values on the block, but a blighted building downtown affects everyone's property values in the entire community.

And yet cities will enforce residential property codes without hesitation while refusing to hold downtown property owners to the same standard.

Why? Because being punitive isn't fun. It's combative. It upsets people.

But you know what else upsets people? Watching their downtown rot while a handful of property owners do nothing.

Everyone shoulders the cost of vacant property except the people who own it.

That has to change.

Have you ever wondered why Commercial street in Springfield, Mo has become such a popular and pedestrian friendly destination while also successfully preserving its historic charm? It’s because it’s one of the most heavily zoned streets in the city. Like minded individuals made a conscious effort to make a difference. One of these regulations is design guidelines.

1926, just put on the market. It has so many original features! Hopefully the new owner loves old houses and will preserve its original character. 🫶🤞🏡

1106 S Florence Avenue, Springfield, MO 65807 | MLS #60331191 | Zillow This 2109 square feet Single Family home has 5 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. It is located at 1106 S Florence Avenue, Springfield, MO.

Removing paint from a wooden window sash with an infrared heat gun; safer and easier than using hot air. (See links in comments)

We’re excited to share another way your support of the Rountree House Tour is being reinvested into the neighborhood.

Rountree Council for Preservation has adopted the corner at Cherry & Pickwick and will fund its upkeep using House Tour proceeds. This includes regular maintenance through the growing season, with new landscaping planned for this fall in partnership with the City.

The project has full City approval, and all required agreements are in place. Our goal is simple: to keep this key entrance to the neighborhood looking cared for and welcoming.

Public landscapes can be maintained in many ways. After reviewing the options, we chose an approach that is effective, affordable, and realistic for a small nonprofit to sustain long‑term. It may not be perfect, but steady care is far better than letting the space decline.

Thank you to everyone who attends the House Tour, volunteers, donates, and supports RCP. Your involvement is creating visible improvements throughout Rountree, and we look forward to sharing more with you.

VanBokhoven H Amy

A busy Saturday for Greer Company! Can’t wait to play in Rolla at the Ozark Farms Strawberry Festival! 🍓🎶
Tomorrow afternoon, we will head to Springfield, MO for the Rountree Historic Home Tour on beautiful Walnut St. 🏡