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Date: 12/22/2021
SPRINGFIELD – A developing apartment complex and a modernized sign for the Basketball Hall of Fame took center stage for discussion during the City Council’s public hearing meeting on Dec. 13.
President of First Resource Company Gordon Pulsifer spoke to the council about a special permit request that would repurpose an existing structure into an apartment complex at 195 State St. Pulsifer said the historic space was built around 100 years ago.
Pulsifer explained First Resource’s intentions to morph the space into 41 apartments, including six studio apartments, 32 one-bedroom apartments and three two-bedroom apartments. As for price, the two-bedroom is valued at $1,100 monthly, the one-bedroom would charge around $900 monthly and the studio would cost between $700 and $800 monthly, according to Pulsifer.
The complex would also feature an income limitation to provide opportunities for lower-income housing. “The program is tailored very well to the city of Springfield and Springfield residents as opposed to Boston, where the rent is much higher,” said Pulsifer.
In approaching the project, Pulsifer highlighted some of the challenges facing the space’s transformation. “Our challenge with this property is that it has very little land, so a major challenge is the parking,” said Pulsifer. The president of the development company discussed avenues to address the parking discrepancy, citing a nearby parking garage and other parking sources owned by First Resource Company to circumvent the concerns.
Another point of debate about the project came in terms of its impact on State Street. While Ward 8 Councilor Orlando Ramos said the potential complex should not be responsible for the street’s safety, Councilor At-Large Kateri Walsh expressed concerns about the potential space’s impact on the area. “I think safety concerns on State Street will be something that will impact your project, [working on the street’s safety] might be something you want to be apart of,” said Walsh.
Pulsifer assured Walsh on the due diligence behind the project, sharing that his organization has connected and received positive remarks from neighbors. “I feel everyone in the neighborhood is aware and well-vested in all the information we’ve shared with them and the city, and it’s been very well received,” said Pulsifer, who stressed he would be an advocate for solving the safety issues with a crosswalk.
In a 11-1 vote, the item was continued for an upcoming special City Council meeting.
Hall of Fame Sign
Account Executive of Agnoli Sign Company Harry Auerbach discussed a special permit request that would provide a complete redesign of the Basketball Hall of Fame’s sign. The new electronic sign, which would feature 10 tenants, is required due to the current sign being supported by antiquated technology. “They don’t make parts for it anymore … We’ve come up with a new design for a new north pylon design,” said Agnoli, who shared that the sign would be similar in its construction while also including visibility from all directions.
President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame John Doleva explained how the project came to light after applying for a Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism grant. “As we presented the project, they were looking for something that was a long-term investment for the benefit of tourism,” said Doleva.
The Hall of Fame president shared that the new sign will be utilized to promote nonprofit tourism entities in the city such as the Springfield Armory and the Springfield Museums. “We have agreed we will promote and co-promote our partners in tourism,” said Doleva, who shared that the hall will be consulting with Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau President Mary Kay Wydra.
The council spoke in support of the zone change, with Walsh considering it an “exciting” development for the city.
The item was voted unanimously to be continued in an upcoming special City Council meeting.