What may be a logistical nightmare could prove to be a dream come true for some downtown Springfield businesses.

  A local church has decided to move its popular Christmas lights display from its property onto Park Central Square.

  Church leaders say they're making the change in the spirit of giving; the square's neighbors hope there's a natural progression to the spirit of buying.

  Two customers constitute the early bird dinner rush at Russo's St. Michael's in downtown Springfield.

  "We pretty much have our regulars."

  Who alone can't keep business booming.

  What server Travis Wepfer says St. Michael's needs is some outside help.

  A local church agreed, and that's when the lightbulb- literally- came on.

  "I think it will help bring people downtown that normally don't- they are kind of afraid to come," Wepfer explains.

  But now they have a reason to, and while they're there, grab a bite.

  "We had a strong desire this year to be very involved community-wise," says Cornerstone Church Associate Pastor Rick Cochran.

  For two decades his church put up a drive through lights display on its 13-acre property.

  "There are some nights where we'll have 1,000 to 1,200 cars come through," he recalls.

  This year the church opted to downsize and move, letting the Urban District Alliance foot the electricity bill to present a miniature version of the Cornerstone lights on Park Central Square.

  Surrounding businesses are thrilled.

  "I think it will be great. I mean, the lights look really good- of course Christmas time it's colder, so people walking around downtown- it's going to be great. They can stop in and get something warm to drink," says Bethany Parry, who works at The Coffee Ethic, a cafe on the square.

  The issue few people are talking about and even fewer are concerned about is an increase in traffic.

   "I'm a little curious this year to see what adding that many cars down here over a holiday season will do for them," Cochran ponders.

  Just one Springfield police officer regularly patrols the area that's prone to slow-moving traffic and delays.

  But it's the foot traffic that's "sparked" the most excitement.

  "I think it's awesome because as a server, I'm not paid an hourly wage, so the more the merrier," says Wepfer with a laugh.

  Cornerstone says it usually costs about $6,500 a year to run the lights display through New Year's.

  The lights will be illuminated for the first time Saturday night as part of the city's Festival of Lights.