Thursday, October 18, 2012
Early ideas for downtown redevelopment show a transformed town center.
The images of downtown Springfield in the plans presented to the Township Committee earlier this month looked markedly different from the downtown that exists today. The architects, designers and attorneys who made the presentation emphasized that the plan was still in its early stages and was an ongoing process. But even a diluted version of what was presented would be a dramatic shift from the Morris Ave. business district as it stands. Bob Blakeman, an architect from the firm PS&S, presented images of a bright and modern urban shopping area teeming with pedestrians and lit by sunlight. Blakeman said that the plan was an example of “new urbanism” and that pains were taken to include mixed use of housing and businesses in the space. The …
Friday, September 17, 2010
Business and property owners will pool resources for revitalization effort.
At their Sept. 15 meeting, Springfield's Township Committee heard details about the plans to create a Special Improvement District for Springfield's downtown. Under the terms of the Business Improvement District plan, businesses in the district collectively put forth resources for physical improvements and promotional work and other efforts as a sweeping effort to promote and attract business in Springfield's downtown. After an initial investment from the government—which officials said will be recouped once its funding mechanism kicks in—the BID work will be funded by a tax assessment of the business and property owners in the improvement district. In August, Springfield hired Beth Lippman, a business consultant who has established …
Thursday, February 4, 2010
The answer varies, depending on who you ask.
It's difficult not to notice all the empty storefronts in downtown Springfield. During a recent visit to the Morris Avenue area, I noticed nine. One of the properties is said to have been vacant for close to three years. Changes clearly need to be made. But implementing change is at this point an open question. "Obviously, we can't do anything to fill up the storefronts if people aren't going to want to put businesses there, " said Deputy Mayor Bart Fraenkel, "The economy over the past year or so has also played a major part." Rental prices, property beautification and the types of businesses that come into the town are variables he says the township has no control over. "But what Mayor Shehady, myself and committeeman Jerry Fernandez did…
voiceofreason
8:59 am on Saturday, October 20, 2012
Its obvious why Mr. Krauss has not allowed comments on his recent Board of Health article. The Local Source has done a nice job of covering this issue. From what I can gather, this was a desperate attempt to clean up the big mess that Mr. Shehady created. The Board of Health controversy turned out to be an enormous PR nightmare for the Republicans and rightly so. This was simply another of … more ›