Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Reminder Assistant Editor SPRINGFIELD The fifth annual Old Hill and Upper Hill Neighborhood Block Party was not just an evening of friendly chit-chat and delicious barbecued food. The party celebrated a year of improvements and special projects in the neighborhoods. The Partnership for the Renewal of Old Hill (PROHill) sponsored the block party. PROHill is made up of Springfield College, the city of Springfield, the Old Hill Neighborhood Council, Springfield Neighborhood Housing Services, the Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity, HAP Inc. and other community partners. Mass Mutual, Baystate Health and TD Banknorth also supported the party. "I hope you've seen the things being done by the different organizations, helping with the revitalization," Omega Johnson, president of the Old Hill Neighborhood Council, told the crowd. "There are new homes with new families and cleaned up lots that would not be possible without those organizations. We are grateful to them." "It is the work of Springfield College and community members that come together that help make a difference," Mayor Domenic Sarno said. "The governor has not forgotten about Springfield. He and the Lieutenant Governor bring big efforts to the city and more importantly, bring their checkbooks as well. House by house, street by street, block by block we can bring back our city." That approach is being seen in Old Hill. The Old Hill Neighborhood Master Plan project began in April 2003 and has progressed through a series of community workshops with residents and area stakeholders to gather information on existing conditions in the neighborhood and refine planning approaches to address areas of concern, according to the Master Plan overview. To facilitate the development of the plan, the Cecil Group Inc., a planning and architecture consulting firm, was hired and the firm, along with the project partners, have completed a draft of the plan based upon public comments at the community workshops and the desires of Old Hill neighborhood residents. The final plan will be a guide for the renewal of Old Hill by setting concrete redevelopment goals for the neighborhood relative to housing, infrastructure investments and building partnerships. The planning process took place between April 2003 and February 2005 and action is now being taken to reinvigorate the neighborhood. "I know what this means for a community," Lt. Gov. Tim Murray said at the block party. "This is what facilitates connectedness." Lorenzo Gaines, who is running for State Representative for the 11th Hampden District, agreed, saying, "I feel it's important to build up a sense of community." This summer will mark the completion of 22 homes that have either been built from the ground up or rehabilitated by PROHill, with 10 more being developed and 10 more properties currently being considered. The city reconstructed streets and sidewalks and improved parks in the area; St. John's Congregational Church cleared ground to build a new house of worship. Springfield College President Dr. Richard Flynn, who was noted as being instrumental in the Old Hill neighborhood revitalization, said in the past that the college would be "a part of, not apart from, the community." "We've done a lot and we'll do a lot more," Flynn stated. "The Springfield Neighborhood Housing Services have done tremendous work," State Rep. Benjamin Swan told Reminder Publications. "These are new, privately owned homes and the Housing Service makes sure the new homeowners have the funds. They provide information. They have a lot of influence in Old Hill and Upper Hill. There are a lot of good things happening in Springfield." Residents of the neighborhood must have agreed several hundred visited the Springfield College rugby field at the corner of Alden Street and Eastern Avenue to celebrate the summer and the rebirth of their neighborhood. To learn more about the Old Hill Neighborhood Master Plan, visit www.springfieldcityhall.com. | ||||||
