December 2014

DevelopSpringfield Purchases 77 Maple Street from Springfield Preservation Trust

DevelopSpringfield recently completed the purchase of 77 Maple Street from Springfield Preservation Trust (SPT). This historic building is adjacent to 83 Maple Street and additional abutting property already owned by DevelopSpringfield.

Springfield Preservation Trust intervened in 2009 to save the property from demolition. Built in 1832 as the Springfield Female Seminary, the property had fallen into disrepair. Through fundraising and hard work SPT has made significant structural repairs as well as restoration of the home's large historic windows.

The addition of this property to DevelopSpringfield's portfolio will allow for comprehensive redevelopment of the parcel as a whole. In addition to the Ansel Phelps at 83 Maple Street, DevelopSpringfield also owns a former carriage house and row of garages on an abutting parcel and an adjacent vacant lot that will provide parking, access and green space to support both buildings.

"Springfield Preservation Trust has made terrific progress in stabilizing the structure and preparing it for the next stage of rehabilitation," said Jay Minkarah, president and CEO of DevelopSpringfield. "We are ready to begin redeveloping the property as part of a truly unique professional office park. The rehabilitation of these historic homes as professional offices will provide exceptional quality space for those who appreciate history and architecture in a highly visible location within walking distance of the downtown core."

Click here for a link to the press release for more details.

We're Participating in Valley Gives Day!

DevelopSpringfield will be participating in Valley Gives Day again this year, a community wide e-philanthropy event to raise funds on-line for charitable organizations throughout the Pioneer Valley.

Please mark your calendars for 12/10/14 (Wednesday, December 10) as a reminder to plan to visit the Valley Gives website to make your contribution. Gifts made on this special day will help to leverage additional bonus gifts to participating charitable organizations like ours!

Getting involved is so easy....just a few simple reminders below:

Mark your calendar for 12/10/14.
Click here to go our page on the Valley Gives website.
Simply follow the instructions on the page to make your secure, online, tax-deductible donation. Please note that every gift matters, regardless of the amount. NOTE: you can actually go online and make your gift today and it will be scheduled to take place on 12/10/14.
Share, share, share! Let your friends and family know that you support our work. Please ask them to participate also.
Like us on Facebook AND follow us on Twitter (we'll share info on the campaign and our progress!) Please share and retweet our posts.

As a social media e-philanthropy event, all of the participating organizations will be spreading the word through e-newsletters, Facebook and Twitter.The success of this event will rely on expanding our reach, and inspiring you and others to help support the revitalization of Springfield by making a gift to DevelopSpringfield.

Strong Towns "Curbside Chat"

DevelopSpringfield was glad to partner with NAI Plotkin, Rational Urbanism and ULI Boston/New England to bring Strong Towns to Springfield on December 2.

This candid talk about the future of America's cities, towns and neighborhoods is presented by Charles L. Marohn, Jr. PE AICP ~ Planner, Engineer and President of Strong Towns (shown above left).

The "chat" is a dynamic presentation that overviews the challenges that communities face with regard to resources and infrastructure and focuses on ways to grow more resilient and become more prosperous in changing times.

The presentation was be followed by a panel discussion led by members of ULI Boston/New England.

Partnership Investment Program ~ Get Involved

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

Our annual campaign for our Partnership Investment Program is underway, and you are invited to invest in the work of DevelopSpringfield. 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.

Our current Business and Non Profit Partners who have joined us already in our 2014-2015 campaign include: 122 Chestnut, LLC; Associated Building Wreckers Inc.;Big Y Foods, Columbia Gas of Massachusetts; Common Capital, GZA GeoEnvironmental Inc.; Hampden Bank; HAPHousing; Jennings Real Estate Services; Liberty Mutual Group; New North Citizens' Council; North End Housing Initiative; NUVO Bank & Trust Co., Rebuilding Together, Springfield College, and Titan Roofing. We are grateful to all of them for their support as well as our Individual Partners. Special thanks to Baystate Health and MassMutual Financial Group for their extraordinary support as Leadership Partners. Please join them in supporting DevelopSpringfield in our collective efforts to revitalize Springfield.

Becoming a Partner is easy! Join online and learn more about the program benefits--click here for more details. Or, feel free to call our office at 413-209-8808 to speak with us about your interest.

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.

STAY CONNECTED