$108,986Average Value$72Average Price per Sq Ft3Homes For Sale
Historic homes in the center of the city
Grand Central is located in the heart of Springfield, where vintage homes sit close enough that neighbors can say hi from their front porches. Due to age, the neighborhood's houses often need a bit of care, which means the average home price here is less than half of the rest of Springfield. The quick 1-mile commute into the city makes this spot popular with those who work downtown. So, there's a sense of being connected to the heartbeat of Springfield, but that comes with some city noise. Fortunately, one of the biggest developments in the Grand Central neighborhood is the upcoming reduction of train traffic. The Third Street rail corridor borders the neighborhood to the east, but by 2027, the railroad will be completely moved elsewhere.
Exposed woodwork, detached garages and vintage flair
Homes in Grand Central were mainly built from 1900 to 1930 in various vintage styles. Bungalows have cozy front porches, and a few Dutch Colonial Revivals feature barn-like rooms. Interiors frequently have original exposed woodwork, and most backyards contain detached garages — indicating that the homes were built before owning a car was common practice. With cracked sidewalks and overgrown curbs, the neighborhood doesn't have a manicured look. But homes here have personalities, often decorated with flags, front gardens and porch hammocks. Prices start at around $50,000 for fixer-upper homes and go up to $150,000 for newly renovated properties. Some of the houses here are rented out.
Grand Central homes were built in the early 1900s and include Dutch Colonial Revival.
Grand Central homes were built in the early 1900s and include styles like
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Community support in a "front porch neighborhood"
Grand Central has an active neighborhood association that plans local events and encourages neighbors to get to know one another. Residents can post on the private Facebook page to report lost pets, ask for favors or discuss issues. "Grand Central is a front porch neighborhood where people talk to each other," says Mark Mahoney, president of the Independent Coalition for Our Neighborhoods, also known as ICON. ICON is a collaborative group of local neighborhood association leaders that includes Grand Central. "We mostly focus on advocating for problems that affect Springfield's older neighborhoods, like pushing for a more comprehensive garbage system," Mahoney explains.
Pickleball at Iles Park and concerts at Washington Park
Iles Park is the closest green space, about a half mile from most homes, a walkable distance with sidewalk-lined streets. The park has well-maintained pickleball courts, a playground and a baseball diamond. The city's biggest recreation hub, Washington Park, is just over a mile away. Washington Park spans 150 acres with sports courts, walking trails and a botanical garden open for free public entry. The gardens are home to one of the country's largest carillons, a bell tower that can be played as an instrument. There are regular concerts at the bell tower, with the spooky Halloween show being one of the most popular events.
Though the neighborhood has a distinctly urban feel, residents are a half-mile from Iles Park.
Golf Courses in the area of Grand Central are a staple for outdoor recreation.
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Public school zoning and the local Lawrence School
Homes north of Laurel Street are zoned for Butler Elementary School, which gets a B-minus grade from Niche. Then it's on to Franklin Middle, rated B. Homes south of Laurel Street are zoned for Black Hawk Elementary, rated C-plus and Jefferson Middle, rated C. Regardless of location, all high school students are zoned for Springfield Southeast High, rated B-minus. The neighborhood is also home to the Lawrence School building, which is used for Springfield Public School's adult education and high school diploma courses. According to Rachel Dyas, the Public Relations Coordinator with Springfield Public Schools, the building is under construction with no official reopening date as of 2024. One of the school's notable features is a library built by Frank Lloyd Wright. Though the library is technically open to the public, Dyas confirms that it is mostly intended to be used by students.
Benjamin Franklin Middle School has 713 students in grades 6-8 with a student-teacher ratio of 1
Butler Elementary School is home of the bobcats.
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Quick eats and a nearby grocery store
There are several quick-service restaurants within walking distance. Gabatoni's has been serving handmade pizza for over 60 years, and Mel-O-Cream Donuts is a regional chain that's been serving Springfield since 1932. Big Sharks Fish & Chicken, a much more recent addition in 2023, focuses on crispy comfort food made to order. Mekong Café, which combines Vietnamese, Thai and Lao flavors, is a popular place to grab takeout. For groceries, Shark's Food Mart has some essentials. But most locals head to Hy-Vee for a larger selection, just one mile south.
There are plenty of quick-service eateries in the neighborhood, like Mel-O-Cream Donuts.
Five Below and other stores offer deals to residents of Grand Cenral.
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Reduction of railroad noise in the coming years
The Springfield Rail Improvement Project is working to transfer all rail traffic from the Third Street corridor to the Tenth Street corridor. The project is expected to be completed in 2027 and will eliminate the persistent train noise in Grand Central. In addition, the lack of railroad crossings will reduce car traffic, making for easier commutes around the city.
Ten-minute bike ride to downtown Springfield
Downtown Springfield is 1 mile away, and the city's medical district is 2 miles away. Several bus lines pass through Grand Central, including one that runs to the nearby Hy-Vee in eight minutes. However, commuting to the downtown medical district requires longer trips and transfers. Bike lanes running along most of 2nd Street also make biking a popular option for commuters. A bike ride to downtown takes about 10 minutes. Downtown is also home to an Amtrak train station for longer trips.
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Grand Central Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Grand Central, Springfield sell after 60 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Grand Central, Springfield over the last 12 months is $90,000, down 27% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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