Walking Tour

Looking to enhance on the development of the MGM/Springfield complex, the City is playing a pivotal role in the redevelopment of three (3), key historic properties directly abutting the MGM/ Springfield development. The tour will also include a walk-up State Street looking at important new housing developments currently being proposed. The tour also includes a guided tour of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site.

Speakers
Philip Dromey, Office of Planning & Economic Development, City of Springfield
Brian Connors, Office of Planning & Economic Development, City of Springfield
Alvin Allen, City of Springfield
Kelly Fellner, Superintendent, Springfield Armory National Historic Site

The mobile workshop in downtown Holyoke, MA, offers an insightful tour highlighting the city’s economic development and housing infill initiatives. Participants will explore key areas where strategic investments have revitalized the urban landscape, fostering business growth and community engagement. The tour showcases successful infill development projects that have transformed vacant lots and underutilized spaces into vibrant residential and commercial hubs. Attendees will learn about the collaborative efforts between local government, developers, and community organizations that drive these projects, emphasizing sustainable practices and inclusive growth. This workshop provides a comprehensive understanding of Holyoke’s innovative approaches to urban revitalization.

Speakers
Aaron Vega, City of Holyoke OPED
Allen Penniman, Agency Landscape + Planning
Brian Creamer, Nitsch Engineering
Gibb Fischer, Open Square
John Goodhue, Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center

Participants will be provided with an understanding of the public transportation needs of Western Massachusetts and how the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) is meeting those needs by incorporating sustainable, low emission infrastructure within it’s operations. PVTA staff will lead a tour Springfield's newest state-of-the art, LEED-certified SATCo Fleet Maintenance Center at 665 Cottage Street in Springfield. The new facility is essential for the charging of PVTA’s new fleet of electric rolling stock. Participants will be transported from the Mass Mutual Center to the SATCo Fleet Maintenance Center via electric bus where they will be given a tour and discussion with PVTA Director of Transit Operations Paul Burns-Johnson.

Speakers
Eric Szymczak, Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, Director of Maintenance and Facilities
Paul Burns-Johnson, Pioneer Valley Transit Authority

This mobile workshop will examine the past, present, and future of Springfield’s relationship with the Connecticut River. From its role in transportation during the pre-railroad era, to its recreational use in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the river had long played a central role in the life of the city. But, heavy pollution in the 20th century, followed by highway construction, worked to isolate the city from its riverfront. More recently, the city has made considerable progress in reconnecting Springfield to the river, including developing Riverfront Park and the Connecticut Riverwalk and Bikeway, which runs along the banks of the river for most of its length in Springfield. However, there are still many opportunities for continued progress. The city’s ongoing neighborhood investment planning process has revealed that residents value the riverfront, and would like to strengthen its connection to the city center.
The workshop will explore the historical uses of the waterfront, the barriers that subsequently separated the city from the river, along with the investments that the city has made in an effort to reconnect residents to the river. This has included developing the Connecticut Riverwalk and Bikeway along the banks of the river, and the creation of Riverfront Park. It will also examine future opportunities that have emerged from the neighborhood investment planning process, including more access points, greater connectivity to other existing or proposed multi-use trails, improved lighting, and expanded water-based recreational opportunities.

Speakers
Derek Strahan, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission

The mobile workshop of Szot Park in Chicopee, MA, offers an engaging tour highlighting two of the city’s major open space and natural resources projects. Participants will explore the Abbey Brook Restoration Project with a focus on dam removal challenges and lessons learned. Additionally, attendees will learn about open space planning for a large, public park with multiple active and passive recreation uses strategic investments have revitalized the park’s landscape, and master planning process. Focus will be on tree species and successional planting, increasing tree canopy and shade to mitigate for urban heat island impacts, park programming and community engagement, green infrastructure and sustainable stormwater management practices, and multi-modal transportation planning for all park users.

Speakers
Lee Pouliot, City of Chicopee
Ray Dunetz, Ray Dunetz Landscape Architecture
Tim Nickerson, Ray Dunetz Landscape Architecture
Brian Creamer, Nitsch Engineering
Representative, Tighe & Bond