Over ten developers and investors from around the region and nation attended either in-person or virtual to learn more about the three properties located at 113-117 State Street, 1135-1155 Main Street, and 11-21 Stockbridge Street, totaling over 130,000 gross square feet, and the potential adaptive re-use opportunities.
Economic Development Council (EDC) President and CEO Rick Sullivan, MassMutual Center General Manager Sean Dolan, and South End Citizens Council President Leo Florian were some of the local officials in attendance.
Mayor Sarno opened the conference with remarks sharing his administrations enthusiasm in advancing this project and letting potential developers know that the city of Springfield is ready and open for businesses and that the Sarno Administration has streamlined the development and permitting process for economic development projects through CDO Tim Sheehan and the office of Planning and Economic Development.
Mayor Sarno hammered away that the numbers can and will work to harness a captive market of thousands matriculating, working and living in our downtown and South End neighborhoods. As evident with existing and new development projects such as Union Station, a reinvigorated Tower Square (Big Y grocery store, White Lion, etc.), Marriott Hotel, new Civic Center garage, historic market rate housing at Wily Overland Building and 31 Elm Street/Court Square, MGM Springfield, and MassMutual Center attractions and of course a promenade area into our South End for numerous Italian-American delicacies.
The pre-proposal meeting provided interested developers and investors a chance to hear more from the city and community stakeholders on the redevelopment and adaptive re-use opportunities in downtown Springfield.
Mayor Sarno states, “This is prime real estate located in the heart of our downtown with access to a plethora of amenities and attractions, including MGM Springfield, the MassMutual Center and numerous restaurants and hotels, to support and complement a wide variety of potential adaptive re-use projects that would be conducive to the neighborhood. My administration wants to make sure that any development opportunities that advance meet the goal and vision of our Urban Renewal Plan, the Main Street and Convention District Master Development Plan and Court Square Urban Renewal Plan, all of which are conducive and beneficial to the needs of our downtown, South End and Armoury Quadrangle neighborhoods.”
“My administration stands ready to work with a creative and qualified development team that can see the development opportunities that these properties have and their potential for creating a more unified and cohesive South Main Street District. My goal is to create more synergy and involvement with MGM Springfield to create street and sidewalk activation not only to the MassMutual Center but just as important, a promenade ‘avenue’ into our South End business district to experience the Italian-American delicacies day and night,” continued Mayor Sarno. “In doing so, we will be attracting more businesses, more residents, more visitors and more of that good four-letter word – JOBS!”
