Tornado report casts a wide net for re-building

Date: 5/1/2012

April 30, 2012

By G. Michael Dobbs

news@thereminder.com

SPRINGFIELD — If anyone thought the final report of the Rebuild Springfield Initiative would simply address the post-tornado needs of the affected neighborhoods in the city, guess again. The detailed 900-page report, which was released on April 26, casts the recovery of the city in a much larger light.

"This is not just to rebuild the ravaged areas bigger, better and stronger," Mayor Domenic Sarno said at the press conference. "This is a look at the entire city."

"We need the city to rally behind this plan," he added.

Gerald Hayes, one of the co-chairs of the initiative, said there was a "silver lining" in the storm on June 1, 2011.

"The silver lining is the out-pouring of the commitment of the people of Springfield to rebuild it," he said.

Hayes said for the plan to fully implemented, he estimated the city would need three to five years and "several hundred million dollars."

He added the report includes more than 50 sources for funding the city could pursue.

Sarno explained although there have been donations made for the implementation — including a more than $1 million contribution from MassMutual — the city will have to "maximize FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency] reimbursements." He added that additional federal funds, state monies and more contributions from private sources would be necessary.

Sarno said the city has hired a consultant to interact with FEMA in order to attempt to receive the maximum amount of reimbursements possible. He underscored that the city has undertaken recovery efforts with its own funding and reimbursement is essential as the city is entering into a "difficult fiscal year 2013."

What has complicated the city's finances was the debris removal from the Oct. 29, 2011 storm.

"We've yet to see a dime from the freak Nor'easter [on Oct. 29, 2011]," Sarno said. The cost of debris removal from that storm ranged between $25 and $28 million.

Hayes noted and praised the rebuilding of homes and businesses so far, but he said, "that progress represents low hanging fruit."

He added, "Now what we have before us is the hard work."

The report noted, "The Rebuild Springfield initiative was created in response to the June 1 tornado that struck the city of Springfield. However, the scope of the initiative goes far beyond simple rebuilding. Citizens, city government, private businesses and other stakeholders rallied together to use the June tornado as a catalyst for rethinking Springfield's future."

Based on the many community meetings during which about 3,000 people participated, the report identifies a number of conditions in the city brought up by the participants and then details solutions based on projects and approaches that have been used in other cities.

What makes this plan different than others developed across the country, according to Sarno, is that is was "grassroots."

"Those [plans] that were top-down failed miserably," he said.

On housing, the report noted, "Decades of urban sprawl and dis-investment have resulted in pockets of blight in areas of Springfield, and the June 2011 tornado worsened the matter. Through the rebuild Springfield planning process, residents voiced their concerns about vacant and abandoned properties in the city. Shortening the path to cleaner and more stable neighborhoods would mean that current and future residents could have attractive and healthy communities in which to live."

Mass transportation systems were another concern. "Improvements to alternative modes of transit that were suggested during the community meetings and project interviews included improving places for pedestrians to walk, adding bikeways, and investing in rail transit. Although most of these tasks require significant funding, a lot can be done at the grassroots level, and there are funding and grant opportunities that could also be leveraged."

The report recommended working with the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority to establish hubs throughout the city instead of having only one downtown hub to increase the ease of use of the system.

The infrastructure of the city is also an issue. "Despite having great urban character, current infrastructure doesn't always complement physical appeal. Some of these problems are due to the destruction caused by the tornado; however, Springfield was in need of many of these improvements well before June 1, 2011. Loss of tree canopy, decaying sidewalks and streets, inadequate signage, and disconnected neighborhoods all contribute to the need for more aesthetic and infrastructure improvements. Such improvements would polish and enhance current strengths and result in improved public spaces, streetscapes, and overall quality-of- life. Adding new signage, crosswalks, flower gardens, planting trees, and new lighting can make the physical environment more inviting and enjoyable for people to live and visit."

Building an arts economy is another part of the initiative.

"One of the most effective methods for attracting new residents, businesses, and employers to a city is by developing, supporting, and showcasing a highly capable and robust arts and cultural sector. In truth, Springfield has an enormously rich collection of cultural assets, on par with other regional centers like Hartford and Worcester. However, the impact of these institutions beyond their front doors, their ability to attract new audiences and to encourage suburban patrons to venture into city neighborhoods, and their ability to leverage each other's assets (facilities, mailing lists, volunteers etc.) is limited."

For a long-term recovery, the city must attract and retain young people.

"Encouraging young people to move to Springfield is a matter of enhancing and publicizing characteristics that the city already has: affordability, historic and attractive building stock (especially in the downtown area), walkability, abundant cultural amenities, and other magnets for younger residents."

To grow the business sector, the city must reaffirm its role as the principal city of Western Massachusetts.

"To start, the city of Springfield must work to solidify its role as the 'downtown' of Western Massachusetts. Bolstering a strong physical and economic presence in Springfield's downtown with regular safe and attractive social and cultural events can move the city toward regaining its stature as the symbolic and physical focal point of the region. Simultaneously, Develop-Springfield and regional entities such as the Western Mass. Economic Development Council and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission must work to foster a relationship that is mutually beneficial for both parties through cooperative initiatives, marketing, advocacy and communication of Springfield's success stories."

On funding the many aspects of the plan, the report said, "While significant funding sources exist to support recovery plan initiatives, it is important to note that federal grants often require state or local matching funds. Public and private organizations interested in taking advantage of the funding available through federal agencies must work together to best leverage the resources available. Springfield must galvanize its private, non-profit/institutional, and public organizations to pursue funding resources. Even for non-federal funding applications, articulating a broad level of support for specific projects will enhance the competitiveness of the funding request. A coordinated effort between public and private organizations is critical to ensure that all funding opportunities are identified, and that the limited funding available to support recovery plan initiatives is most efficiently and effectively utilized."

The entire plan can be read on-line or downloaded at www.springfield-ma.gov.