Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Chief Development Officer Tim Sheehan announced today that the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Boston/New England District Council will hold a Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) to examine future redevelopment potential of Court Square in Springfield.
The 10-person panel will gather on Thursday, April 16th for a day long study of the Court Square area in downtown Springfield, and will culminate with a 5:30 p.m. public presentation of their findings and recommendations. All activities will take place at “The Intersection” – a new civic/arts space inside the ground floor of Tower Square.
“We’re happy to welcome back ULI to Springfield, an organization we’ve had a long relationship with dating back to the 2006 citywide plan, much of which was completed successfully,” said Mayor Domenic J. Sarno.
Mayor Sarno will kick off the panel’s work with greetings and an introduction at 9:00 AM.
This event will focus on the future of Court Square with the impending relocation of Courthouse uses from two significant state-owned buildings, as well as the future of historic Old First Church. The panel will spend the day in Springfield researching the area, meeting with stakeholders, and working on recommendations it will offer publicly at the end of the day.
ULI completed the 2006 “Strategies for a Sustainable City” plan during the Springfield Control Board term, and the plan became a key guiding document to the city’s rebuild in the years following. The organization came back to Springfield years later to perform multiple “TAP’s” including in the South End and the Riverfront.
ULI is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit research and education organization supported by its members. ULI provides leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide.
Chief Development Officer Tim Sheehan helped coordinate the session which was supported by the Springfield Redevelopment Authority. The ULI panel consists of professionals from throughout New England from various disciplines including architects, engineers, and urban planners. The panel is not paid for the daylong session and volunteers the effort as part of ULI’s mission. The public is invited to the 5:30 p.m. public presentation.
