The Hungry Hill Neighborhood Improvement Project totaled $336,738 and included the construction of concrete sidewalks and wheelchair ramps, along with upgrades to pedestrian crosswalks to enhance public safety, and new street shade trees along Carew Street, Liberty Street and Armory Street.
This project is part of the $12 million citywide Neighborhood Economic Recovery Fund (NERF) utilizing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, combined with approximately $1 million in CDBG funding. The Hungry Hill neighborhood project was a result from a neighborhood walk with the Hungry Hill Neighborhood Council, Mayor Sarno, CDO Tim Sheehan and other city officials.
Mayor Sarno states, “This follows up on my administrations numerous listening sessions and neighborhood walks on how best to use our local ARPA funds to support these quality-of-life neighborhood infrastructure projects. The installation of new sidewalks is important for our residents and local businesses. I want to thank the Hungry Hill Neighborhood Council for their efforts and for working with my administration to advance this important neighborhood project. The installation of these new sidewalks and pedestrian crossings will compliment and builds off the paving of Liberty Street which was also recently completed.”
Ward 2 City Councilor Attorney Michael Fenton stated, "During the 90s and early 2000s Springfield's sidewalks were left without funding to repair. I remember the days when the waitlist to get your sidewalk repaired was 13 years long. Since then, we have fully funded a sidewalk crew and used a variety of funding sources to focus on this critical infrastructure. I am very grateful to the administration for its focus on sidewalks and specifically for working with neighborhoods to fund priority locations like this one here in Hungry Hill."
City Councilor Attorney Sean Curran said, “The city has invested millions into infrastructure in the Liberty Heights neighborhood. From the Liberty Street paving project and improvements to our parks, Mayor Sarno's announcement is welcome news and will keep the neighborhood in tip top shape for many years to come.”
