Mayor Sarno states, “The continued positive transformation and resurgence of our downtown Springfield is a hallmark of my administration. From celebrating the 5th year anniversary of the grand opening of MGM Springfield, the opening of the very successful Big Y Express downtown grocery store, to the construction of a new state-of-the-art multi-use parking garage facility next to the MassMutual Center, the new Marriott Hotel, Restaurant Row, market-rate housing at the former Willys-Overland building, SilverBricks Lofts, and the soon to be completed 31 Elm Street and Court Square projects, are just some of the many positive endeavors and economic development projects my administration has supported and advanced, with more good news to come.”
“As a matter of fact, according to the recent economic data, all of this positive economic development and attractions, shows and amenities brought an economic impact of an estimated $56.6 million to local restaurants, bars, hotels, parking lots, and other city venues, from July 2022 through June 2023 – setting a record-breaking gross economic impact in the MassMutual Center’s history. In addition, there were approximately 441,000 people that visited Springfield, attending the numerous world renowned shows and events downtown including Bruno Mars, Kevin Hart, Bill Barr, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, Santana, Chicago, Gladys Knight, Boys to Men, Disney on Ice, Red Sox Winter Weekend, Western Mass Ironman 70.3, USA Gymnastics Regional Championships, New England Regional Pop Warner Cheerleading Championships, New England Regional Volleyball Association, the Harlem Globetrotters and our beloved Springfield Thunderbirds and AIC YellowJackets, just to name a few.”