DevelopSpringfield is finalizing plans to create a unique business park that will feature professional offices in a small campus-like environment on the corner of Maple and Union Streets.

The site includes 83 Maple Street and the recently acquired 77 Maple Street--both historic and architecturally significant. The property also includes an adjacent carriage house and six commercial garages at 69 Maple Street. Together, these properties will be redeveloped for office use and folded into the larger redevelopment initiative.

Maple Street is a major commuter route into downtown Springfield, and the rehabilitation of these prominently located but blighted properties will greatly enhance this important corridor. New office uses in this strategic location will bring more business activity and foot traffic to downtown Springfield, supporting downtown restaurants, retail establishments, and business service uses. Attracting additional professional, scientific and technical service uses is also an important part of Springfield's overall downtown development strategy, and many of the historic buildings in this area lend themselves well to office conversion.

Stay tuned for updates as the project progresses.

83 Maple Street, Exterior is looking great!

DevelopSpringfield has completed the acquisition of  two properties included in a group of historic buildings located at the gateway to Springfield's Innovation District. The buildings will be rehabilitated for use as a business accelerator based on the MassChallenge model that will be operated by Valley Venture Mentors (VVM) along with a ground floor restaurant/cafe and complimentary commercial office space designed to support new business start-ups and help foster a culture of entrepreneurship within the City. The two buildings, 270 Bridge Street and 276 Bridge Street, are ideally located in Springfield's Innovation District.

Future Home of the  Springfield Innovation Center

Planning and design is in process with architectural services provided by Studio One, Inc. Rehabilitation of the historic windows is underway with work being done by a team at Old Window Workshop in Springfield.

The project is an exciting collaboration between DevelopSpringfield, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, MassDevelopment, the City of Springfield, Valley Venture Mentors, the Innovation Hub, and Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual). 

Funding to support the development of this project, including property acquisition and rehabilitation of the two buildings is being provided by the Commonwealth through a MassWorks Infrastructure Program grant to MassDevelopment, by MassMutual, and other sources.   

Glory, Inc. was awarded a $20,000 grant to support facade improvements to their new location in the South End, located at 595 Main Street. Funds provided were used to install windows, signage and lighting for the longtime downtown business which relocated recently from their 1134 Main Street location to make way for MGM Springfield. Glory is a retail store featuring clothing and shoes for the entire family.

Grant funds are available for this program to support businesses located on Main Street in areas of the North End and also on State Street in areas of Mason Square. 

Visit our website for program details and guidelines.