Downtown redevelopment project

The City of Springfield recently completed a major redevelopment project at 1600 Main Street in downtown. The property, formerly known as the "Asylum" nightclub, had been a blighting influence on downtown for many years. Utilizing several grant resources including the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission/Environmental Protection Agency Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts MASSWorks program.

In the summer of 2012, the city sought out bids for purchase of the building.  Any questions regarding the status of that process can be directed to the City of Springfield Office of Procurement at 413-787-6284.

Property Attributes:

• Fully remediated of asbestos and hazardous material
• Demolition of rear 2/3 of building, establishing new 20-space surface parking lot
• New roof on remaining building
• New mezzanine windows
• New boiler and temporary heating units
• New sprinklers and fire service throughout building
• New landscape including 10 new trees
• New 1600 Main signage
• New approximate square footage of building: Ground floor: 5,944 square feet; Basement: 5,916 square feet; Mezzanine: 1,713 square feet. Total approximate square footage: 13,573.
• Property located across Fort Street from The Fort Restaurant, which recently celebrated it's 75th anniversary and has been named in Gourmet Magazine as one of the United States 20 most legendary restaurants.
• Property located across Worthington Street from City Stage performing arts center which includes a 479-seat and a 70-seat theatre that hosts an annual series of performing arts.
• Property located across Worthington Street from MassDevelopment's 1550 Main Street - an $18 million redevelopment that houses the Springfield School Department administrative headquarters as well as Baystate Health's IT division.
• Property located near 1537 Main Street, home to Dennis Engineering headquarters as well as the new home to WFCR, New England Public Radio - planning a 2014 move from Amherst to this Main Street location.
• Property located along Worthington Street restaurant and entertainment corridor, which includes legendary blues and barbeque restaurant Theodore's, as well as a Thursday night "Stearns Square" outdoor concert series.
• Property located two blocks south of the former "Hippodrome" theatre, with a seating capacity of approximately 2,800 this theatre is in planning phases to be redeveloped as a Paramount Theatre to attract major Broadway and entertainment performances.

You can also visit the Office of Procurement website here:

http://www.springfieldcityhall.com/finance/bid-detail&bid=201010-327