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Date: 3/8/2023
SPRINGFIELD — City Councilor At-Large and former state Rep. Sean Curran is proposing the construction of a Western Massachusetts Food Hall in downtown Springfield. Curran formally requested for Chief Development Officer Timothy Sheehan to consider the concept in a Feb. 20 letter.
In his letter, Curran detailed the ample success Worcester and Hartford, CT, continue to enjoy with a similar concept. The Worcester Public Market opened in February 2020, before reopening in September 2021, in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic. Located in the heart of the downtown in Kelley Square, the market hosts 36 vendors, including restaurants concepts, such as Pasta Mani and Burger Bah, and specialty food markets.
Known as Connecticut’s first food hall, the Parkville Market opened in a limited capacity in May 2020, with six vendors. It has since expanded to include 19 restaurant spaces, including Mercado 27, Meltdown and Fowl Play. Curran shared how a food hall operates differently than a traditional food court, as it provides local entrepreneurs a chance to test and develop a food business concept.
“These food halls allow entrepreneurs and chefs, who lack the capital to open a brick-and-mortar restaurant on their own, the opportunity to pool together in one space, in rented kiosks, providing consumers a unique dinning and destination experience,” said Curran in his letter.
Curran noted that both projects received significant support from local and state officials. The Worcester Public Market benefited from a $500,000 state grant that aided its construction.
Curran also acknowledged food halls as a growing trend across the nation.
“They are booming. There is foot traffic there seven days a week … People come from all over to these food halls. It’s really a concept that is sweeping the nation, and could work here in the city of Springfield,” said Curran in an interview with Reminder Publishing.
The city councilor believes the concept can benefit Springfield in a multitude of ways.
Curran referenced MGM Resorts International CEO William Hornbuckle’s recent Jan. 20 visit to the city in which Hornbuckle cited a need for more economic activity in downtown Springfield. The city councilor views the food hall as a potentially significant economic driver in the city.
“The quote that stuck out for me is that the city of Springfield really has to step up and make the city more of a destination in order to draw people here. When I saw that, I said “a food hall could be one such thing to utilize to do that’ … I think we have a great market for it,” said Curran.
Curran also sees potential in how a food hall could intersect with mixed-use residential developments. He said residential developments remain a focus of many developers working in the downtown area.
“We do have developers looking to build housing here … If [a developer] was to put 12 condominiums on top of a food hall, I can definitely see a developer thinking that’s a concept worth exploring,” said Curran.
The ongoing development of the east-west rail in Springfield would also interconnect with the food hall, providing an additional destination in the city.
“We’re diligently working to bring high-speed rail to the city of Springfield … When people come from Boston to Springfield, where are they going to go? Let’s give them an option to explore. A food hall could fit that vision,” said Curran.
Additionally, Curran shared how food halls could prove to be beneficial for the city’s aspiring entrepreneurs. He referenced how the Parkville Market’s continues to feature a diverse bounty of cuisines from business operators that derive from various ethnic backgrounds.
“The food hall would be terrific for a variety of entrepreneurs,” said Curran.
Curran has envisioned several potential sites for a food hall. He said the vacant 453 Worthington St. property – the site of the 2012 gas explosion – could be a potential destination after the parcel has been unused for over a decade. The location is also located next to downtown Springfield’s dining district, which includes restaurants like Theodore’s Blues, Booze and BBQ, Jackalope Restaurant and 1636 North. Curran also referenced the first floor of The Republican headquarters at 1860 Main St. as a potential destination.
Economic development is a critical focus for Curran, who will also be chairing the Economic Development and Tourism Working Group. He shared his hopes to help develop fresh ideas along with the group’s community volunteers.
“We need to come up with some ideas to make Springfield more of a destination than it is already. We have a lot to offer. We have a tremendous history, from basketball, to Dr. Seuss, to the Springfield Armory. We have a great story to tell. We just need to tell that story,” said Curran.