"This is a strategic investment by the MCCA in the future of downtown Springfield,” said David Gibbons, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. “The MassMutual Center is a key economic driver for the city and region and the construction of a new garage adjacent to our venue will further enhance the recent major investments in the city.”
When completed, the new garage with a new sky bridge connection to the MMC, will deliver significant long-term benefits to the adjacent MassMutual Center (MMC, previously known as the Springfield Civic Center), which is owned by the MCCA and operated by MGM Springfield.
The current five-story garage, constructed in 1971 and featuring 1,232 parking spaces, is located at 41 Harrison Street in downtown Springfield, and originally had a sky-bridge connection to the MMC arena. During the 2004 renovation of the MMC, the Authority contemplated an acquisition of the garage property but ultimately decided against making a purchase at that time.
Now, sixteen years later, despite several rounds of capital repair work at the Facility, recent independent engineering and feasibility studies have determined that the existing structure is well beyond its useful life. Given the high cost of repairs, the limited amount of time that the useful life of the building would be extended, as well as the garage’s current condition, and its importance to the success of the MMC, its existing tenants, and the City of Springfield, the MCCA, with the support of the Baker Administration, will make an impactful investment in the future of Springfield and Western Massachusetts.
“The City of Springfield is extremely excited to announce this critically important redevelopment project in cooperation with the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority and the Springfield Parking Authority,” said Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno. “I want to thank Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito for their steadfast support of this economic development project and the continued growth of our region. I would like to also acknowledge Secretary Michael Heffernan and his staff for their continued investment and support of Springfield. In addition, I want to thank SPA Director Attorney Tom Moore, Chairperson Tom Lott and Vice Chairperson Freda Malone for their leadership and hard work throughout this process, and the MCCA for their commitment to making this project a top priority, in the best interests of the residents of Springfield and Western Massachusetts. This is a pivotal project for our downtown business and entertainment industries.”
The SCCG serves as the primary parking option for attendees of MMC arena and convention center events. In 2018, the MMC’s American Hockey League tenant, the Springfield Thunderbirds, estimated that more than 16,500 cars were parked in the SCCG by Thunderbird fans throughout the season.
The future absence of the SCCG or a similar parking facility adjacent to the MMC, would result in the convention center and arena losing a key amenity and selling point when marketing the venue to event planners and proximate building tenants. It would also be a lost opportunity to improve access to the MCC and activate and enhance the streetscape in and around the two buildings.
To facilitate the construction of a new garage, the MCCA and SPA have agreed to the following terms and conditions:
- The sale and conveyance of the existing SCCG to the Authority by the SPA
- The Authority will be responsible for costs of the demolition of the existing SCCG and the design and construction of a new garage in the same location
- Upon completion of the construction of the new garage, the MCCA will own and operate the new structure.
To complete the transaction the MCCA, at the direction of and unanimous approval from, its Board of Directors has agreed to pay the Springfield Parking Authority $3,500,000 for the Springfield Civic Center Parking garage funded by a withdrawal from the Massachusetts Convention Center Fund.