* The W.A. Knight Building may fill its second commercial space soon. Marketers for the space say they are currently in negotiation with a “local area restaurant, not a chain, looking to open a second location.” No word on when a contract could be signed.
• City Hall will open its Hogan and Laura Street entrances Monday for the first time since the Sept. 11, terrorist attacks. Mayor’s office spokesperson Heather Murphy said the City is following the recommendation of a private security consultant hired to streamline security in City Hall, the City Hall Annex, the Florida Theater and the Yates Building. The City Hall guard station will be moved in front of the elevators where visitors will still have to check in. “Our goal is to increase the accessibility of City Hall; it’s the people’s building,” said Murphy.
• You’ll remember Monty Crook as the politician who lost a State House raced a few years back. Don’t think he’s a loser; he was the leading salesmen in the year-long Gator Bowl ticket drive.
• Southern Living magazine’s profile of downtown will be carried in the April issue. A reporter from the magazine was in town this summer working on eight great Southern cities that are redeveloping their downtowns. The magazine seems also to be interested in a story on the redevelopment of Springfield and other small, single-family communities that are distinguished by their bungalow-type homes.
• The Army Corps of Engineers told the Springfield Revitalization Roundtable that initial soil tests in Hogan’s Creek showed lead and arsenic contamination. “It’s not at levels where you have to call in the EPA to bring in the guys with the white suits, but we will have to dispose of the soil,” said Steven Robinson of the Corps.
• The Vintage Lawyers group, which meets four times a year for fellowship and the occasional tall tale, held a luncheon Thursday at the Piccadilly Cafeteria in Regency Square. Reminded that 55 years old is the threshold for joining, one member scoffed, “They’re just kids.” For more, see page 3.
• At the request of the General Council’s Office, accountant Robert D. Klausner will likely be retained. Currently, Klausner, an outside consultant, represents the City and the Board of Pension Trustees in pension, tax and employee benefits related matters. Klausner is able to command up to $250 an hour and will probably receive a two-year contract.