Springfield Mayor Charles Ryan holds the ULI report at a press conference yesterday
There is talk that the Urban Land Institute written report released to the public yesterday will be made available online from the city, or that the Republican newspaper may even print the thing in its entirety. Those would be nice options.
Either way, the ULI itself has already made the publication available online (PDF) for download.
I like to leaf through items such as magazines and academic papers starting with the conclusion. It’s interesting to see how the ULI summed up Springfield’s challenges and opportunities in two neat paragraphs.
Russell Denver tells the press he’s devoting himself full time to ULI recommendations
Denver flanked by city councilors Jose Tosado, Domenic Sarno, and Tim Rooke
"The panel offers this report not as a panacea but as a series of suggestions that may assist the city in meeting its current challenges," the report’s final words begin. "Although the Springfield Finance Control Board should remain in place for another term, the emergence and development of leadership from all sectors of the community will be a critical step for Springfield’s future. In the spirit of this new phase, Springfield should embrace and celebrate its diversity and identify ways to include a representative cross section of the community in its decision making." (My emphases.)
Vacant street-level storefront property ready and waiting for use yesterday on Court Square
CDO David Panagore says finding a qualified developer for vacant 31 Elm is key
"As the urban cultural center of the Pioneer Valley, with an architecturally diverse and historic core, Springfield’s downtown should be a destination to live, work, and play," the conclusion continues. "The rapid implementation of the panel’s recommended priority projects—such as redevelopment of vacant property on Court Square and adaptive reuse of the old Federal Building [pictured]—will be a strong step forward in this direction. An additional focus on the South End neighborhood, with an emphasis on the Gemini-Hollywood area, can be a catalyst for this neighborhood’s revitalization. Finally, efforts to conserve the character and integrity of Springfield’s neighborhoods, and harnessing the power of the city’s many neighborhood associations, will be a great boost to Springfield’s other communities."
