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Date: 1/11/2023
SPRINGFIELD – Mayor Domenic Sarno announced the ninth round of ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funding for Springfield on Dec. 28, 2022. The latest ARPA round awarded $2.27 million for community-based endeavors as part of the ARPA-created Neighborhood Economic Recovery Fund.
In a press release, Sarno shared that the latest funding projects derive from various walks and meetings with the city’s neighborhood councils. Sarno and his financial team have met with nearly every neighborhood council and various organizations before determining ARPA funding priorities.
Each awarded neighborhood councils are located within Qualified Census Tracks – areas where 50 percent or more of the population are below 60 percent of the Area Median Gross Income.
The Upper Hill Residents Council received two ARPA awards. One award of $872,100 will be utilized to enhance pedestrian safety and tree planting along Wilbraham Road from Waltham Avenue to Roosevelt Avenue, while an award of $550,000 will fund improvements to Adams Park. Some of the incoming improvements include a playscape, a gazebo, a walkway and parking upgrades, according to the press release.
The Old Hill Neighborhood Council was awarded $441,743.90 to fund pedestrian safety and tree planting along Liberty, Carew and Armory Streets. Funding will also support public internet accessibility and public safety for seniors at the Hungry Hill Senior Center on Liberty Street.
The Commonwealth Mural Collaborative received $50,000 from the ninth ARPA round. The funding will support a new Light Festival in downtown Springfield that will enhance the tourism industry by supporting and activating public spaces, according to the press release.
In addition, Armoury Quadrangle Civic Association received $19,500. The funds are set to support pedestrian enhancements and a traffic study for intersection improvements at Dwight and Frank B. Murray streets in the Union Station area.
Sarno reflected on the ninth ARPA round and its focus on aiding various neighborhood endeavors.
“I am proud to say that this ninth round of our local ARPA grant funding for our neighborhoods, as part of my administrations Neighborhood Economic Recovery Fund, will help to enhance the quality of life and public safety aspects for our residents and business community,” said Sarno via press release.
Sarno continued, “Our neighborhoods play such a vital and important role, serving as an extra pair of eyes and ears for our citizens and helping to connect them with key services and resources. All of our neighborhood councils do such a tremendous job supporting our community and my dedicated city team is looking forward to working with them to see these projects and initiatives through.”
Springfield has awarded around $91 million so far as a part of nine ARPA rounds. The city is on track to meet the ARPA federal guidelines of having all funds committed by 2024 and allocated by 2026.
Sarno shared that the city is coming to the “tail end” of its ARPA funding. The city received a total of $123.8 million as a part of the $350 billion federal ARPA fund created in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.