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The top stories of 2012: year in review

Date: 1/2/2013

By Carley Dangona

carley@thereminder.com

WESTFIELD — The buzzword around the city in 2012 was "revitalization." A multitude of construction projects have been completed or are underway in Westfield. The goal, to bring the Whip City into the modern era and to create a sustainable infrastructure for years to come.

At the end of June, the Great River Bridges opened, providing a gateway to all those venturing into the city. In mid-October the Friends of the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail celebrated the grand opening of the first phase of the path.

In the past couple months, city officials have released plans for an overhaul of Western Avenue, from Mill Street to Bates Road, and a conceptual design for an updated downtown area that would include a Pioneer Valley Transit Authority transportation hub, a parking garage and a six-story commercial building. In addition, the redesign and reconstruction of Airport Industrial Way is slated to begin as early as February.

City Hall is currently undergoing a facelift internally and externally as system upgrades are installed and the building is renovated. The city recently updated its website to include online payment and reporting options as well as electronic notifications of meetings and agendas of department meetings. The municipal building reopens Jan. 2 to the public after being closed for the installation of energy-efficient windows.

Throughout the year, the Ashley Street School Project has been in the spotlight due to the controversy of whether the adjacent Cross Street Playground was designated under Article 97 of the Massachusetts constitution.

At the beginning of 2012, the debate began between Mayor Daniel Knapik and Save the Neighborhood, a group of residents concerned about the impact of the project. Despite a restraining order filed Sept. 4, 2012 by the residents, in reaction to the demolition of Cross Street Playground, the groundbreaking took place Sept. 7, 2012. On Sept. 12, 2012 Superior Court Judge Tina Page reviewed the request for the continuation of the restraining order and issued a preliminary injunction against the city, preventing the demolition of any land protected under Article 97.

The city filed a request for reconsideration, but Page denied it on Oct. 22, 2012. Throughout the year, Knapik has maintained that the city acted in accordance with the laws and has followed the proper procedures for incorporating the playground into the Ashley Street School Project. To date, the school has also been demolished.