Springfield outlines nearly $9 million in CMF investments and advances plans for a 400-space downtown garage
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Summary
City development officials told the Gaming Commission the Commission's mitigation funds and related grants have supported roughly $9 million in downtown investments, including Court Square improvements, and that a design-development phase for a roughly 400-space garage and active McCaffrey redevelopment of adjacent blocks are underway.
Tim Sheehan, Springfield chief development officer, presented an update on downtown redevelopment tied to Community Mitigation Fund awards and other grants. Sheehan summarized grant awards across multiple years that together approach $9,000,000 and described visible public-realm transformations in Court Square and new pedestrian connections between MGM, the MassMutual Center and Symphony Hall.
Sheehan said McCaffrey (identified in the record as the developer) is advancing a 112-unit residential mixed-use project on one corner adjacent to the casino and has begun demolition and tenant solicitations for activated ground-floor retail. He also described restoration work on the historic Clock Tower and a park-oriented design for a public parking garage estimated at roughly 400 spaces, which is in design development with Desmond (the design firm) and expected to proceed to general-contractor solicitation early next year.
Preservation: Sheehan said First Church near Court Square faces approximately $5,000,000 in deferred maintenance; the city is committing an initial $2,500,000 to roof and drainage work now and will pursue additional funding after a denied CPA application. Sheehan told commissioners the city has already used mitigation and other funds for infrastructure, public-safety and human-services projects and welcomed further Commission engagement on ribbon-cutting events as projects near completion.
Next steps: Design development for the garage and continued solicitation of construction firms are expected within the next year; no formal Commission vote was required at this meeting.