But a quorum wasn't present, so the hearing was continued to 7 p.m. Monday in the City Hall Forum.
Current plans show the 44,320-square-foot arena facing Columbia Street with two parking areas, including one off the alley. City staff is recommending Memorial Place become one-way northbound as a condition of approving the variance.
The ice arena will be a brick building with some false windows, because sunlight can melt the ice or cause glare. The downtown unified plan requires windows and other architectural elements.
The building will utlize the eagle that was above the front entrance to Memorial Hall. The columns on the facade of Memorial Hall will be used in a pedestrian plaza at the front of the ice arena, near the street. Other pieces, such as the stone steps, could also be incorporated.
National Trail Parks and Recreation District CEO Tim Smith says they're making an effort to reuse as much of the Memorial Hall facade as possible, since "it respects our heritage as a community and what it represents for our veterans."
The goal is to break ground on the ice arena in the spring, with construction to wrap up near year's end or early next year.
Springfield News-Sun Reporter Samantha Sommer contributed to this article.
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