SPRINGFIELD—It was a perfect day for peacemaking last month outside Union Station. Yet, the political and practical challenges of stitching east and west together pale in comparison to the broader task before Maura Healey.
Some time ago the Massachusetts Department of Transportation—or simply MassDOT—announced plans to replace an aging viaduct east of the former Allston Turnpike tolls in Boston. The agency will bring the Pike to ground and elevate the adjoining Soldier Fields Road. That decision was widely praised.
SPRINGFIELD—A bevy of ordinances and several financial items greeted the City Council Monday night. The broad range of the policies under consideration ranged from rules for signs to outdoor dining. The Council also sought to leverage Springfield tax incremental financing (TIF) programs to ensure tax
UPDATED 8/17/17 8:25PM: For a Correction. The top photo originally misidentified 1211 Avenue of the Americas. Not much links MGM Springfield’s construction site with 1211 Avenue of the Americas in New York. The former is feted as evidence of “momentum” in Springfield, like many a
UPDATED 9:04PM: The Massachusetts Senate adopted Sen. Lesser’s amendment. The rail study will go to the House-Senate conference committee. State Senator Eric Lesser’s East-West rail study appeared ready to leave the station last year. It survived House-Senate negotiations and passed both chambers. But then, in
SPRINGFIELD—Last month United States Representative Richard Neal was visiting Union Station once again, this time to unveil the waiting room’s restored clock. Neal is always beaming during visits to the station, but the renovation impending completion will close a chapter in his career. Nearly 40
For the City of Springfield, 2016 proved notable on multiple fronts. It briefly saw itself as the center of attention in the presidential contest. MGM evolving complexity dodged for at least another year a threat from Connecticut. A bevy of police controversies throttled City Hall
UPDATED 7/1/2016 8:36AM: To include comments from Amtrak about the platform delay and station renovations. SPRINGFIELD—Less than a year out from its anticipated opening, one part of Union Station will not go online alongside the rest of the terminal. A new rail platform fully compliant
In the past week, there has been good news from Springfield city government. Efforts to improve the quality of life of current city residents have moved forward. Last week Mayor Domenic Sarno opened a new front against illegal dumping and today came the announcement of
UPDATED 12/30/14 12:44 AM: For clarity as to the length of US Rep Richard Neal’s political career. A Planned City is a new series on planning and development in Springfield and its impact on the fabric of and life in the city. Last weekend, The Republican