ULI panel points to riverfront residential and transit oriented development as possible goals

The Urban Land Institute Boston District Council held a Technical Assistance Panel, examining the Riverfront area of downtown Springfield. The 10-person panel gathered on May 4, 2010 for a day long study of the Riverfront area in downtown Springfield, and culminated with a public presentation of their findings and recommendations at the former Visitors Information Center at 1200 Hall of Fame Avenue. A PDF file of the powerpoint presentation that was given at the public meeting, along with the design sketches, can be downloaded here.

A news article from The Republican summarizing the event and recommendations can be found here.

The presentation from the public session will be posted on this website shortly.

The ULI Panel will now spend additional time on the recommendations and formalize a document summarizing the findings. That document will be available in approximately four weeks, and will be published on this website. Members of the public who wish to submit additional feedback to the ULI Panel as they prepare the final document should do so below.

Mayor Domenic Sarno thanked the panel for their continued efforts, as this was the third ULI Technical Assistance Panel held in the city in recent years. The panel members, all of whom volunteered their time for this effort, were as follows:

Co-chairs:

Lynn Carlton LEED AP  (Planner), Sasaki Associates

Steve Heikin AIA  (Architect/Planner), ICON architecture, Inc.

Panel Members:

John Rufo AIA  (Architect), Arrowstreet

Nancy Denig ASLA  (Landscape Architect), Denig Design Associates

Jason Barosso  (Civil/Environmental), Tighe and Bond, Inc.

Doug Landry PE  (Civil/Transportation), VHB

Arthur Jemison  (Economic Development/Market Analysis), GLC Development

Joel Breuer (Engineering/Construction), Breuer Property Group

Other contributing staff:

Stephanie Wasser, Urban Land Institute

Michelle Landers, Urban Land Institute

Caitlin Bowler, ICON Architecture, Inc.

Brian Connors, City of Springfield

The event was a follow up to a speaking event held at the Basketball Hall of Fame titled “ULI Boston – The River Runs Through It, Lessons Learned from Riverfront Cities”. That event drew over 100 spectators and featured speakers discussing best practices from other cities throughout New England.

ULI–the Urban Land Institute 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.

Members of the public are encouraged to provide additional comments and suggestions to the panel and may do so by emailing: ULI Riverfront Input

Riverfront Properties available

The Springfield Redevelopment Authority in coordination with the City of Springfield has made available a 4 acre development site - formerly the home of the York Street Jail - and a 4,100 square foot building on the Springfield Riverfront. The building is being used through July, 2009 for the Visitors Information Center. The VIC has been relocated within the Hall of Fame, leaving the 4,100 square foot building available.The 4 acre site is cleared and both sites sit just steps from the Basketball Hall of Fame, adjacent to I-91 - with visibility to over 100,000 cars per day.

More information on both sites:

• York Street Site Development Opportunity (Land for Sale/Long term lease) - The former site of the York Street Jail known as SS West York Street and WS West Columbus Avenue, for a total of 4 acres. The land is currently vacant as all buildings have been cleared. The property is located just south from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Hilton Garden Inn, Pizzeria Uno, Sam's Tavern, Subway, and FL Roberts gas station. An aerial is pictured to the right. Proposed redevelopments must be in line with the West Columbus Avenue Urban Renewal Plan.

• 1200 West Columbus Avenue (Building available) - The current site of the Visitors Information Center, that facility has been relocated to inside the Basketball Hall of Fame, making the 4,100 square foot building available for lease for use as retail, office, restaurant, or any other use approved by the West Columbus Avenue Urban Renewal Plan. The property has 38 parking spaces and space for bus parking. The property is located just north of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Max's Tavern, Pazzo's Restaurant, Coldstone Creamery, and immediately adjacent to the Rivers Landing complex including LA Fitness and Onyx Restaurant.

Both properties are immediately adjacent to Route 91 North and South, just south of the junction of Route 291 East and West, and a short distance to the MassPike/Route 90. Traffic counts on Route 91 at the stretch in front of both properties eclipse 100,000 vehicles per day. Both properties are also adjacent to the Connecticut River and Riverfront Park.

Please view the photo gallery for images of the sites and the Riverfront district.

Interested parties should contact John Judge or Brian Connors at the Office of Planning & Economic Development at 413.787.6020 or email bconnors@springfieldcityhall.com