Mayor Sarno and City Officials Announce $2.87 Million in Neighborhood Investments with the Neighborhood Enhancement Fund

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno joined with city officials on Tuesday at Greenleaf Park to announce a total of $2,870,000 in funding to be allocated to various City Departments from the Neighborhood Enhancement Fund.

Director of Disaster Recovery Tina Quagliato Sullivan, Director of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management (PBRM) Tom Ashe, City Councilor Lavar Click-Bruce, Mary Dion from the Outer Belt Civic Association, Desi Jackson on behalf of School Committeewoman Barbara Gresham and the Old Hill Neighborhood Council, Jose Claudio from the New North Citizens Council, and Mary Dion from the Outer Belt Civic Association provided remarks.

Neighborhood Services Director Ed Whitley, Director of Open Space Pete Krupczak, Senior Parks Project Manager Laura Walsh , Theresa Concepcion from Sixteen Acres, Mary Colburn from the Pine Point Community Council, and Steve Hooper also attended. Special thanks to Cathy Paquin from the Bay Area Neighborhood Council.

The Neighborhood Enhancement Fund commitments are part of the Sarno administration’s commitment to public investments that create safe, healthy and vibrant neighborhoods throughout the City of Springfield.  Projects being allocated funding through the Neighborhood Enhancement Fund are neighborhood supported and will be carried out by City Departments for the public benefit. Each project funded will make physical improvements to a neighborhood or will allow for planning and design for investments within the benefitting neighborhood.

The awards include the following:

Projects were evaluated based on their neighborhood and community benefit, alignment with neighborhood revitalization goals and current investments and the feasibility of the project.

The Neighborhood Enhancement Fund compliments $12,000,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding invested by the City of Springfield in the Neighborhood Economic Recovery Fund to support neighborhood COVID-19 Pandemic recovery needs within Qualified Census Tracts (QCTs) and $1,800,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding invested by the City of Springfield into the Neighborhood Council & Community Stabilization Grant program which allows neighborhood councils to directly allocate funding to neighborhood COVID-19 Pandemic recovery needs. 

One of the projects being highlighted with today’s Neighborhood Enhancement Fund announcement is the installation of pickleball court and lighting improvements at Greenleaf Park. Pickleball is one of the fastest growing and most popular sports across the country and feedback from the Springfield community supported the installation of a Pickleball court in the city.

Mayor Sarno states, “Investing in our neighborhoods and our residents’ quality of life has been a top priority for me and my administration as we continue to recover from the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Much like with the post-tornado economic development projects, one of the ‘silver linings’ of the pandemic was the unique opportunity for transformative investment to shape the future of our City. This Neighborhood Enhancement Fund follows up on my administration’s numerous listening sessions and neighborhood walks on how best to use our local ARPA funds to support these quality-of-life neighborhood projects.”

“Many know that parks are near and dear to my heart and we are all pleased to announce that Pickleball is now available at Greenleaf Park in our Sixteen Acres neighborhood. From what I understand, this game has been around for a while but has become very popular in the last few years. We are fortunate to have many wonderful family-friendly and affordable recreational opportunities here in Springfield and now we can add pickleball to the list.”

“Another project I know many have been awaiting is the installation of the Panhandling reduction signs. Many have seen them in other cities and asked about getting them here in Springfield. As I have said before, if you need help, I want to help. If you’re on the hustle, I want you off my street corners. We have certainly seen an increase and many new faces. For people who are struggling or down on their luck, we want to help, we have services in place to help with many compassionate and caring people who will work with you. That’s where we want to encourage generous motorists to look to help. Offering cash on the street may just be further enabling someone down a bad path – and I know intentions are good – but we have to consider that more comprehensive help is readily available and steer people toward a sustainable path.”

“In addition to the anti-panhandling signs and pickleball courts, neighborhoods throughout the city will see investments. The Kenefick Park Field House on Plainfield Street will be getting $250,000 in HVAC, lighting, security, accessibility enhancements and Marshal Roy and Angelina Park will be enhanced with picnic tables, bike racks, and trash receptacles $218,000 will repair and replace broken sidewalks through the Forest Park neighborhood and another $120,000 for brick sidewalk repair on Mattoon Street. The South End, Memorial Square and Metro Center will each be enhanced with an American flag installation as well as holiday lighting. A new pocket park – which have been very successful – will be built in Hungry Hill at the vacant lot on Penacook Street. Also, a study will be done on the old MCDI site to continue our efforts to take a dilapidated and aboded building and clean up the site to create a beneficial opportunity for the neighborhood and city.”

“I am extremely grateful to each of our neighborhood councils, as well as my internal city team, for their efforts in joining discussions, reaching out to neighbors, and providing feedback on what the needs are in their neighborhoods.”

CDO Tim Sheehan states, “Each of these projects offer a neighborhood benefit that will contribute to a safer, healthier, more vibrant, and in many cases a more walkable neighborhood. Not only is this good for the quality of life of our residents, it has a positive impact on the development of the entire city. Supporting our neighborhoods has always been a key priority of the city’s pandemic recovery efforts. I am grateful to our residents and neighborhood councils for partnering with the city on these projects as we continue to invest in our neighborhoods.”

Tom Ashe states, “We are proud to be able to offer many types of safe and family friendly recreation across the city. From award winning public golf courses, to our rare clay tennis courts, and now the very popular pickleball. Thank you to Mayor Sarno and our neighborhood councils for your continued partnership to make our parks they can be.”

Lavar Click-Bruce states, “Sports and recreation are crucial in an urban environment like our Springfield. We all need a positive and healthy outlet. I think it’s awesome that so many people - young and old- are so into pickleball. I’m excited for this enhancement to our Greenleaf park here in Sixteen Acres and commend the city on the great neighborhood investments taking place throughout the city.”