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Managing Editor SPRINGFIELD There's one factor right now that could slow down the proposed shopping center project at the former Westinghouse manufacturing facility on Page Boulevard -- the economy. Paul Cincotta of Packard Development told the over 200 people turned out for another community informational meeting that construction would not begin on the facility until leases for 80 percent of the designed space were signed. His company would build spaces to accommodate the tenants who signed leases as opposed to being on speculation. "The economic reality is that retailers may slow down their commitments," he said. Cincotta described the project as a "Class A shopping center that would bring good quality tenants." There would be a mix between big box national chains and locally owned businesses as well as spaces reserved for sit-down casual family dining restaurants, he added. He anticipated the complex would bring between 500 and 800 full- and part-time jobs to the city. The architecture of the complex would incorporate brick and would be suggestive of the Westinghouse building now on Page Boulevard. If the permitting process and the leasing effort go as planned, Cincotta said construction could begin next spring with completion scheduled for the fall of 2010. The new development is expected to generate $750,000 to $1 million more annually in property taxes, he said. This was the third community meeting and Kathleen Brown of the East Springfield Neighborhood Council reminded the audience that with a zoning of Industrial A, the developers "can do what they want to do there" and their appearance at these meetings is indicative of the company's "good neighbor policy." Cincotta said there have been alterations to the plan since the last community meeting in April. There will be two entrances to the complex with a new one planned for Stevens Street, which will be expanded to have one entrance lane and two exit lanes. There will be a traffic light installed at each entrance. At the city's insistence, greater attention has been paid to pedestrian issues, Cincotta said. There are sidewalks throughout the complex and the developers are currently working with the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority on bus routes and stops throughout the center. There would be 23 parking spaces created elsewhere on Page Boulevard to compensate those on-street spaces lost to the widening of the road. Brown reported that city will be taking possession of the former Cornerstone Bar and that Packard has agreed to pay for the demolition of the building. A municipal parking lot could go in its place. Other additions to the plan include the erection of signs prohibiting truck traffic on Eureka Street and the closing of the Page Boulevard end of Prentice Street. When asked if the shopping center would increase or decrease the property value of the area's homes, Cincotta said studies have shown "it doesn't take away from property values." "We view it as a redevelopment at a terribly under developed site. Retail is much more friendly to neighborhoods than industrial uses," he added. | ||||||
