December 10, 2008 – (RealEstateRama) — Mayor Domenic J. Sarno announced today that the City of Springfield has begun executing plans for improvements to Main Street in the City’s South End Neighborhood. These efforts are part of the overall South End Revitalization Plan that calls for streetscape improvements along Main Street from downtown to the intersection of Locust Street and other infrastructure improvements to the street grid in the Hollywood and Marble Street areas. Construction of this approximately $3.2M Main Street project is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2009.
“We are excited to be moving beyond plans and into the field work,” stated Mayor Domenic Sarno. “The South End is important to the fabric of Springfield and we are committed to creating a better neighborhood for residents, businesses, and visitors,” Sarno said.
Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., (VHB) has been hired by the City to analyze traffic conditions and generate the construction documents for Main Street. “We have initiated a field survey to collect data and existing conditions features within the project limits. Traffic counters have been installed at six locations along Main Street and we are monitoring turning movement traffic counts at eight locations”, said John Berchard, Regional Manager for VHB.
The South End Revitalization Plan was developed through a collaborative process initiated by the City and the Urban Land Institute in 2006 with substantial input from city-wide stakeholders and neighborhood residents. “This is just the beginning of a multi-faceted infrastructure project that will transform the South End, states Scott R. Hanson, Principal Planner for the City that is overseeing this segment of the project. “Main Street in the South End serves as a primary gateway into our City; improving the visual quality of this corridor and the front door for the many established businesses on Main Street is essential to improving the overall business climate in the City.”
The City anticipates having a public meeting in January to discuss proposed improvements to Main Street. “We have held several community meetings about the South End project and we are committed to continue to do so to ensure residents are kept informed about the work that is being done in their neighborhood”, said Samalid M. Hogan, South End Project Manager.
Additional information on the South End Revitalization Plan is available at the South End Citizens Council Office located at 549 Main Street and online at www.springfield-ma.gov/southendproject.
Contact:
Samalid Hogan
Springfield Office of Planning and Economic Development
70 Tapley Street
Springfield, MA 01104
413-787-6020
