September 2014

Vol. 1

Worthington Street Area Planning Study

Mayor Sarno and the City's Chief Development Officer Kevin Kennedy released the results of the Worthington Street Planning Study at a well-attended public presentation at Kimball Towers on August 13, 2014. DevelopSpringfield worked with the planning and architectural firm Utile, Inc. together with a steering committee comprised of city officials, the Springfield Redevelopment Authority, the BID, area businesses, neighborhood representatives and other stakeholders to create a redevelopment plan for the area impacted by the November 2012 natural gas explosion as well as the former "Entertainment District" centered on Worthington Street.

Highlights of the study include re-envisioning the area as an Innovation District with a focus on entrepreneurship, repositioning the entertainment district as a dining district and a focus on developing market rate housing along with streetscape improvements to enhance walkability while leveraging key assets such as the Union Station improvements now underway.

DevelopSpringfield held an additional presentation for DevelopSpringfield Partners and supporters on August 27 at the 350 Grille.

The plan was made possible through a $200,000 grant from Columbia Gas of Massachusetts/NiSource.

Click here for a link to the Planning Study.

Click here for a link to article in BusinessWest
Click here for a link to article published in The Republican/MassLive 8/13/14
Click here for link to story on ABC40/FOX6
Click here for link to story on 22News
Click here for link to story on CBS3Springfield
Click here for link to story in The Reminder Publications

Hampden Savings Bank Presents Contribution

Representatives from Hampden Bank dropped by recently to complete their Foundation's pledge toward work surrounding the Rebuild Springfield planning and implementation project.

Pictured at right are Jay Minkarah, President and CEO of DevelopSpringfield and Glenn Welch, President of Hampden Savings Bank.

We are grateful for their outstanding support. Glenn Welch also serves as a member of DevelopSpringfield's Board of Directors.

Partnership Investment Program

Join Us!

DevelopSpringfield continues to strengthen its efforts to stimulate revitalization and economic development in Springfield.

Today, we invite you to invest in the work of DevelopSpringfield by joining us as contributor to our annual Partnership Investment Program. By joining us as a Partner, you will help to provide a foundation of financial support to strengthen our work while having the opportunity to participate in strategic planning and advisory groups that help shape our direction and focus in areas such as real estate strategy; and urban development and design.

Click here for more details!

DevelopSpringfield Launches Targeted Curb Appeal Program

DevelopSpringfield's Curb Appeal Program aims to promote neighborhood revitalization by providing small grants of up to $5,000 for blight reduction and beautification. These grants may be used to improve the exterior appearance of residential properties in a target tornado-impacted zone near Central Street, the new Elias Brookings Elementary School, and Springfield College. As homeowners invest in their properties, the fabric of the neighborhood will be strengthened and property values will increase.

This program is made possible through the generous support of the City of Springfield, the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts (Eugene A. Dexter Charitable Fund), DevelopSpringfield and Viva Development.

Click here for a link to program information.

DevelopSpringfield hosted a neighborhood meeting

in July for residents in the targeted area to share information about the program and provide assistance with the application process. To date more than a dozen applications are in process for projects ranging from windows and landscaping to assistance with fence installation and more and all available funds have been committed.

DevelopSpringfield Attends Old Hill Block Party

Jay Minkarah, our President and CEO, at our resource table.

On August 21 we were pleased to participated in the 11th Annual Block Party and BBQ on the Hill. This neighborhood party, was a collaborative event hosted by the Old Hill and Upper Hill Neighborhood Councils, HAPHousing and Springfield College.

Hundreds attended this event complete with music, food, activities for children and participation by area organizations sharing resources and information on community programs.

Please forward this newsletter to others in the Springfield community to help spread the news!

Our mission is to help create conditions that encourage private development, with a bricks-and-mortar focus and always with an eye toward understanding and meeting Springfield's unique and diverse redevelopment needs.

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