We're focusing on the "innovation" this week, and as it happens June 2017 marks the tenth anniversary of the IDEA Commons in center-city Springfield. I-D-E-A stands for "Innovation," "Design," "Entrepreneurship," and "Arts." The 88-acre area was developed by Missouri State University with the support of the City of Springfield and the Springfield Building Development Corporation. It's a collaborative community effort to rejuvenate downtown and stimulate economic development by renovating existing buildings, creating new jobs and retaining local talent. At the center of the IDEA Commons stands the former Willow Brook facility of six buildings on Mill Street between Campbell and Boonville Avenues, now known as "Brick City." Four of the six buildings are occupied by Missouri State University Art and Design Department, but with space to accommodate commercial business ventures such as the locally-owned Marlin Company ad agency, marketing and communications company. It was formed in
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