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Date: 8/31/2022
SPRINGFIELD – An economic renewal plan for downtown Springfield that supports existing and prospective businesses received significant review from the City Council during their Aug. 22 meeting.
Background
Mayor Domenic Sarno announced the advancement of the plan to the council on Aug. 12. The proposed amendment would make the Court Square Urban Renewal Plan the largest in the city. The renewal effort covers 192 acres – a majority of downtown Springfield and a radius that includes land area east of Chestnut Street bordered by Lyman Street, Spring Street and Pearl Street.
The mayor’s press release highlighted the plan’s three years of intensive development. The city and its economic development team underwent several public meetings while seeking input from a Community Advisory Committee and encompassing the city’s past economic plans. Major infrastructures included in the plan are the MassMutual Center, MGM Springfield, Tower Square, the TD North Building and Union Station.
The city cited the downtown area as an area that suffered from deindustrialization over past decades. The area was also the location of a significant gas explosion on Worthington Street in 2012. The plan aspires for the Springfield Redevelopment Authority (SRA) to help redevelop several of the vacant infrastructures existing alongside the downtown’s entrenched landmarks.
Established in 1960, the SRA is a quasi-public entity that is funded by the city. The SRA buys and sells property, acquires property through eminent domain and constructs, finances and maintains properties throughout the city, according to the SRA’s mission statement.
Sarno discussed the Court Street Urban Renewal Plan as a vision for downtown’s economic future up to 2050.
“Throughout the [coronavirus] pandemic Springfield has kept its eye on the future and has been steadfast in positioning itself to be ready to respond to future economic development opportunities. This major plan amendment positions the city well in responding to developer interest an investment throughout the downtown,” said Sarno in the city’s press release.
Sarno and Chief Development Officer Tim Sheehan continue to envision the city’s economic future in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic’s arduous impacts. On June 30, Sarno and local business leader Peter Picknelly announced a proposed plan to construct a new courthouse and an 11-story housing complex on the city’s riverfront.
At times, the city’s economic vision has been at odds with the council’s perspective. In March, the council approved $6.5 million of additional funding for the developers of 31 Elm St. housing project after WinnCompanies threatened to pull out of the development. The council endured contentious debate about the request, which included complaints from City Councilors At-Large Justin Hurst and Tracye Whitfield about a lack of notification to the council about the project’s status and concerns that the city was allocating too many assets to private developers.
City Council meeting
Sheehan and his team presented an overview of the plan in the council’s chambers. The economic development officer stressed that the renewal is not removing existing businesses in the sector that are “complimentary” with the plan.
“It is equally important to note what the amendment is not advancing, and that is the unfriendly acquisition of property on which there is an active business that is complimentary … Most service businesses that exist in this area would meet the plan’s goals and objectives and be complementary,” said Sheehan.
Sheehan also noted that “adaptive reuses” of existing structures is “first of mind” for the city.
Springfield economic development consultant Tim Brangle, who helped execute the vision for MGM Springfield, articulated his insights on the project. Brangle discussed the importance of the city laying out a succinct mending of past master plans as they eye a cohesive economic development strategy.
“This is intended to help push development and help lead development. This now gives the SRA those tools and also a benchmark,” said Brangle.
SRA Deputy Director and Chief Procurement Officer Jef Fasser detailed the plan’s goals. Fasser highlighted how the consolidation of past plans in the Court Square renewal effort allows for a swifter process for assessing what entities can coincide with the renewal.
Other positives Fasser referenced include a clear purview of the city’s economic plans, allowing the SRA to work with prospective businesses and acquire certain properties for “friendly acquisitions” if needed.
“If that need arises, it would be because property is for sale or a particular property owner wants to partner with the redevelopment authority,” said Fasser. He also shared that the renewal project showcases the city’s plans for street, sidewalk and other public repairs for prospective developers.
Fasser said the renewal plan envisions mixed-use developments that take advantage of local activity areas. A first floor that includes lively, city-facing retail spaces would be complimented by offices or residential uses located on higher floors. Additionally, Fasser noted that the renewal will work diligently to repurpose and fortify historic buildings present in the plan area.
“We’re really setting the stage for some immediate actions … but looking out towards the future and making sure the city and the redevelopment authority can react to future opportunities,” said Fasser.
Going forward, Fasser said the plan will undergo additional meetings with the council’s economic development subcommittee before seeking final approval from the council. The SRA then provides final approval before the plan is sent to the state, which will take a number of months.
“We expect final approval somewhere in the fourth quarter of 2022,” said Fasser.
The council inquired about several aspects of the plan, including the inclusion of properties purchased by the city with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and the checks-and-balances process with the council. Whitfield advocated for the council to be informed at every step of the process.
“I just want to make sure that when these things are happening, that we’re told when they are happening, not months later, not when it’s time to take the vote, note when it’s an urgent situation … we have an opportunity to prevent those type of transactions from happening,” said Whitfield.
Sheehan shared that the ARPA-purchased buildings will be included, and additionally noted that the city’s economic team will stress transparency throughout the process.
“I am very respectful of the council subcommittee work, and I am more than happy to be before the subcommittee to discuss any item that involves economic development,” said Sheehan.
Business owners, like Kristin Fiore, expressed some concerns about the renewal plan. Fiore purchased the former Lido’s property last July and plans to renovate the space into a local late-night venue. Fiore and others asked for the city to consider additional support for existing business, such as ARPA funds, before focusing on the area’s redevelopment.
“I would like to see [funding] go to the businesses that are already there first,” said Fiore. The business owner shared that she is still committing an extensive clean-up effort for the dormant property after trying to garner aid from the city.
After hearing comments from local business owners, the council accepted the testimony on the Court Street Urban Renewal Project. The economic development project will be discussed in future council meetings.
The City Council will meet again on Sept. 19.