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»I am not sure this feasible nor do I understand the legal ramifications but I would love to see redevelopers use more of Dr Seuss' characters throughout the city. We only see them at Bright Nights. Maybe a children's museum with large characters and giant books( in color, please). Right along I 91 with a Green Eggs and Ham restaurant. (I mean Walt Disney started small) Who knows, with a little investment Springfield could become a great attraction as the City of The CAT and The Hat.
»I think that in order to attract parents and the general public to be involved in education they need to see schools, libraries and other public organizations as friendly places. Schools continue to be quite intimidating for many if not most of our parents.
»I second the ideas presented here but would like to suggest that, as we redevelop(build) these neighborhoods, we consider factors that contribute to increased crime and do what is possible to avoid making duplicates. Designated areas for low income housing should be available in small areas and not large housing complexes. These homes should "blend" in the neighborhoods.
»Nadim's is soooooooo good.
»Regarding item #4 ("Plan for and take advantage of lessons learned from recent disasters etc.")
There was no well publicized source for information from Springfield following the June 1st tornado- only two sources for information since the power was out- a battery operated radio and the Republican. Nothing changed by October 29.
Since the 1950's there has been a system of air raid sirens in the City also a radio alert was periodically tested. Some of the horns are still in place.
Robocalls are useless when the power is out.
I believe that the City has an emergancy preparedness director and there is a control center in the Carew Street Fire Station. The City should build on this base and connect with one or more radio stations and the Republican to alert the public.
If the horns could be activated and information made quickly available on the radio and both of those sources made known by the Republican and the radio stations, we would be better prepared.
»Hi,

We are planning a meeting on Saturday, February 18 at 10:00 a.m. at the Nathan Bill Park Field House, 135 Plumtree Road to discuss the South Branch Parkway/ Waterfront Committee. This is a great opportunity for us to get together and give back to the community. Please email me if you will be coming. I look forward to hearing your ideas and suggestions. See you Saturday!

Please feel free to call or email me with any questions.
Beth Hogan
• Phone me: 413-782-7619 (office), 413-330-9224 (cell)
»Springfield does have important historic structures that should be rehabilitated and put back into use or demolished. At the same time, Springfield should embark on new, cutting edge design at infill sites downtown if it wants to become a national player. I think the combination of these two approaches to the downtown urban 'character' will send a signal that the city is not JUST about historic preservation, but is also open to new ideas, new residents and future generations. Historic preservation by itself is not a great catalyst for change.
»Both sides of Main Street should be used for 'Pedestrian-oriented" businesses on the first floor, with housing above. The businesses requiring high-volume vehicular access should be located on the Columbus Ave. side of those blocks. Land uses like the former Wendy's would seem to be a mistake.
At the same time we need to think about linkages to thge other side of I-91, and pedestrian-friendly passages under the highway at Union Street and Broad Street, with continuous commercial activitty, would seem appropriate is we are trying to promote tourism.
»You are correct. We have allowed suburban office building promoters to leech the daytime population Downtown. This is especially true even in so-called "Industrial park" developments, which are now turning to multi-tenant office buildings to fill space. We need a leadership commitment to regulate land use and financing access to restrict these developments and return these populations downtown. This is needed not only to support the development of Downtown and the South End, but also to reduce long-term environmental impacts and increase metro economic competitiveness.
»Immediately building street-level market sheds and renting them at low costs as a flea market space for weekend sales events. Recruit high-quality mix of vendors for Fall and holiday events and use activity to building up to sale and construction of market-rate housing, both rental and owner-occupied.
»Streetscape improvements are vital! Maple High Six Corners area connects directly with downtown and affects the impressions made as commuters/visitors travel through. Improvements may increase likeihood of business investment and new residents moving into area. Mill Street needs to be added to the list, though--it's a real mess between Cherry/Maple Streets.
»Maple High Six Corners Neighborhood Council is working with the city on tornado issues. We meet the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6 PM at Mason Wright Retirement Community at 74 Walnut Street, Lower Level. Come and share your concerns and ideas and work with us to make Maple High Six Corners better than ever. Linda Bartlett, Secretary
»The State/Walnut Street location would present a traffic nightmare! Already jammed with traffic from STCC and Commerce HS and that would only increase. Try driving though there when school lets out. There is lots of empty space on Central Street created by the tornado, or futher down State Street would be better. Would be nice to have a store like AC Produce on Central Street.
»A new up-to-date building should be constructed for Brookings School and a creative re-use found for the old historic building--community center, healthcare, daycare, elderly housing. The estimated $20 million needed to repair the old building would be better spent for a new building.
»I agree. A Highland Rail Trail would provide excercise/recreation opportunities right through the heart of the city. It could cross Lake Massasoit and continue into East Forest Park/East Springfield and connect eventually with East Longmeadow trail. At Springfield College area, the trail could take a right turn and follow the Mill River from Lake Massasoit all the way to the Connecticut River Walkway. It would be fantastic and might even draw bikiing/walking enthusiasts from outside into the city.

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  • Community Strengths

    Community Strengths

    Sep 28 - Dec 08, 2011  Closed
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    • Architecture and City Planning is a strength

    Updated: Dec 06, 2011 Joe L1
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    Downtown is cohesive and attractive
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    Aesthetically and architecturally, Springfield is one of the two most attractive, mid-sized cities in the Northeastern United States. Also, I would argue that it is Western New England's best planned city.

    Springfield's downtown, although it contains a patchwork of attractive, diverse buildings and open-air parking lots that would, ideally become covered garages-or, at least become fenced-in by wrought-iron and decorated with trees-this city's urban architecture is-in the eyes of this architect and city planner-extraordinary and worthy of praise.

    Thinking about Springfield architecture in the context of the Western New England cities', it is more elegant than Worcester's, and its urban fabric is more cohesive. Likewise, for all of Hartford's recent skyscraper building, and widening of boulevards, Springfield's human-scale and walkability make it stand out all the more. Waterbury and Bridgeport, although they both possess architectural gems, are not in the same league as Springfield and these other cities architecturally. New Haven is the only Western New England city comparable to Springfield in terms of the aesthetics of its downtown urban core.

    There is no city in western New England that can compare with the architecture of Springfield's neighborhoods. The McKnight Historic district features houses that would not be out of place on Nob Hill in San Francisco. Maple Hill features grand old mansions in which people still live. The area of Forest Park near to the park itself, and Forest Park Heights, feature exceptional examples of Victorian, Arts & Crafts, and Edwardian architecture. There is no other city in western New England that can lay claim to such a magnificent architectural legacy in both commercial and residential architecture.

    Many northeastern cities were decimated during the 1960s by “urban renewal projects.” Hopefully we in Springfield have learned our lesson.

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