Springfield College’s plan to partially discontinue Wilbraham Avenue sent to committee after residents raise concerns

Springfield College representatives asked the council to partially discontinue two short segments of Wilbraham Avenue (segments between King and Alden, and Alden and Hickory) to limit through traffic near campus and improve pedestrian safety. Kevin Roy described traffic studies and prior neighborhood meetings, and College President Marybeth Cooper warned of repeated campus incidents — she said a student had recently been struck in a crosswalk and urged timely action.

Several councilors pushed back, citing prior community opposition over multiple years, concerns about loss of municipal control of a public way (ownership would transfer to the college if discontinued) and the need to preserve resident input. Councilor Hurst and others said they attended earlier neighborhood meetings where residents strongly opposed closure; Councilor Brown noted repeated cycles of the petition being brought up and urged more neighborhood outreach. Councilors and DPW staff discussed utility easements and fire‑department turning needs; DPW staff said easements could be retained for utilities and that Springfield College would assume sidewalk and snow‑maintenance responsibilities on the affected sections if discontinued.

Because of the history of neighborhood opposition and outstanding technical and community questions, the council voted to send the petition to the general government committee for further review rather than approve it at the meeting.