Construction permits up 43 percent in 2006

by | Feb 15, 2007 | Urban Compass

The Office of Planning and Economic Development released a statement today saying that Springfield saw a 43 percent increase in total construction permits in fiscal year 2006. This trend surpasses the 31 percent increase in the previous fiscal year, the office said,...

City under a microscope: the Pioneer panel

by | Feb 16, 2007 | Urban Compass

Last week, a three-person panel representing Springfield sat before an audience on the 14th floor of Boston’s Omni Parker House Hotel at an event hosted by the Pioneer Institute. Their task was to reflect on what lessons we might draw from Springfield’s...

Racial underrepresentation in government

by | Feb 16, 2007 | Urban Compass

A study (PDF) recently released by UMass-Boston’s Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy shows that people of color are severely underrepresented in elected and appointed offices at the municipal level. The study looked at ten cities and towns in greater...

Fixing the levees

by | Feb 19, 2007 | Urban Compass

At a Springfield City Council committee meeting yesterday at City Hall, the city’s flood protection system problem was discussed. Springfield Water and Sewer Commission executive director Joseph Superneau was there to say that the April 30 federal deadline for a...