A new Springfield Regional Justice Center will get built, and it will generate economic activity for Springfield regardless of where it goes. That much is not in dispute. What a new economic study argues is that location decides something else — where the daily activity of a working courthouse actually lands, and which businesses are […]
The state conditionally approved the Liberty Junction proposal for the new Regional Justice Center to replace the Roderick L. Ireland Courthouse – a location not in the central business/residential center, but the far side of the railroad tracks – requesting a re-design of the building to only 220,00 square feet – to reduce the cost. […]
Our inaugural issue arrives with a giveaway from Springfield Wine Exchange. Subscribe within the next month to enter. Welcome to the conversation Today marks the first issue of Metro Center Voice — a new publication built to amplify the businesses at the heart of downtown Springfield. Our mission is straightforward: celebrate the shops, restaurants, firms, […]
The Commonwealth is investing $93 million over five years to modernize the MassMutual Center, downtown Springfield’s arena and convention anchor. Governor Maura Healey announced the funding on July 30 for upgraded safety systems, ventilation, a new video board, improved concessions, and better accessibility. General Manager Sean Dolan noted the venue drove a record $65.8 million […]
The Springfield Cultural Partnership celebrates its 10th anniversary with a free community event on August 5, from 4–8 p.m., at Tower Square Park. The evening unveils “Sounds of Springfield,” a permanent interactive installation of six outdoor musical instruments, alongside live performances and hands-on arts activities — another investment in Metro Center as a downtown gathering […]
A wave of reinvestment is reshaping downtown. Fashion entrepreneur Justin Hayes has reopened his JUST10 boutique at Tower Square, White Lion Brewing is expanding its live-music programming, and a new entertainment district is taking shape along Worthington Street with restaurants including Mamou, Eat, and District Fusion Table. A $2 million stabilization of the 1819 Old […]
Historic Court Square came alive on July 10–11 for the free Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival, organized by Blues to Green. The lineup spanned New Orleans funk, Afro-Cuban jazz, and global roots music, drawing crowds into the heart of Metro Center. Organizers launched a new Jazz Club membership program to keep admission free and support […]
White Lion Brewing’s outdoor beer garden, the Pridelands at Tower Square, is running a free Wednesday lunchtime series of live music and food from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in partnership with the Springfield Business Improvement District. The lineup features local performers including Bruce Gregori and Floyd Patterson II, alongside an expanded menu of lobster […]
In 2007, the Urban Land Institute’s Boston District Council convened a Technical Assistance Panel at the request of the City of Springfield to help chart a course for revitalizing its downtown. A volunteer team of planners, architects, developers, and real estate experts studied the area — “bounded by the railroad tracks north, State Street south, […]