SPRINGFIELD – Sangamon County is seeking proposals from vendors to open and operate a cafe in the new Springfield-Sangamon County Transportation Hub that is set to open in 2027.
The county is offering incentives to attract entrepreneurs with the likes of a basic commercial kitchen and potential subsidies on rent and utilities, a spokesperson for the county wrote in a news release.
“This is an opportunity for convenience and overall experience for travelers and county employees,” Karen Conn said in the release, who is a Springfield business owner and who is on the advisory committee for the new cafe. “It gives travelers a quick, reliable option without leaving the building, and provides employees with something consistent during the day,” she said, adding that the HUB will also host events, giving people a reason to stay, gather, and engage with the space.
The county recently issued a formal Request for Proposals, with a deadline at noon on July 31.
The vendor must have some experience in the food and beverage industry and create a business plan to operate the cafe at a minimum of Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Questions and informational sessions
Two informational sessions are scheduled to explain the HUB space, program needs, and RFP requirements. They will be available in-person as well as virtually.
The sessions will take place in the Horace Mann building, at 1 Horace Mann Plaza, 3rd Floor Classroom, in Springfield. The first session will be at 5:30 p.m. on May 20. The second session will be at noon on June 25.
ZOOM links for the sessions can be found on the Sangamon County website.
Potential applicants can also submit questions about the RFP to SangamonCountyProcurement@kindconsulting.org by June 30, 2026. All questions and responses will be compiled and posted on the county’s website by July 6, 2026.
A community advisory committee will review and score all RFP submissions, invite finalists for interviews and make a recommendation this fall. Final approval will come from the Sangamon County board. The planned opening date for the cafe is the fall of 2027.
The Hub is located just north of the county building at 200 S. Ninth St.
The hub itself will boast a relocated Amtrak station, and service for Greyhound and Springfield Mass Transit District buses. A large parking garage will be attached.
There will be a “County Square” that will attract visitors for features on its digital screens, according to the release. Further, the Hub will host public space for performances and exhibits, like one about the 1908 Race Riot, and the Springfield Sports Hall of Fame.
Tom Ackerman covers breaking news and trending news along with general news for the Springfield State Journal-Register. He can be reached at tackerman@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Sangamon County seeks vendor to open cafe at new transportation hub
Reporting by Tom Ackerman, Springfield State Journal-Register / State Journal-Register
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