SPRINGFIELD — A $2.9 million Municipal Community Mitigation Grant from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission for six projects throughout Springfield was approved by the City Council during its July 14 meeting.
The grant, which aims to offset money related to impacts associated with MGM Springfield, will help cover costs for major projects in the city such as a new parking garage and public realm improvements on the South End.
According to Springfield Chief Development Officer Tim Sheehan, the new parking garage — located on Willow Street on the South End — was previously awarded $3 million for the construction of the garage. The $600,000 that the council approved on July 14 as part of the grants is additional funding for the project, Sheehan said.
Documents inside the City Council agenda state that a proposal for the new garage was submitted by the city in 2023. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission made grant awards of $1.5 million in fiscal year 2023 and $1.5 million in FY25, with hopes that construction contracts would be awarded for the project by June 30, 2025.
The documents state, however, that the project is not ready to go, and the city hopes that contracts can be awarded by Sept. 30, 2026, instead. Under Community Mitigation Fund guidelines, the city had to submit a request for this extension to happen.
When built, the garage will be just shy of 400 spaces, Sheehan said.
“It would be a public parking garage managed and operated by the Springfield Parking Authority,” he added.
As for the public realm improvements, Sheehan said $1.5 million of the $2.9 million in grants the council approved will be used for lighting, sidewalk work, road repaving and better pedestrian coordination in the South End.
According to the project summary, the grant aims to help “revitalize the area surrounding MGM Springfield” by enhancing public spaces, improving the pedestrian experience and attracting private investment.
The project is still in the planning stages, which means there is no firm estimate for how much it will cost altogether.
“The improvements, including streetscape enhancements, wayfinding signage and public realm upgrades, will support ongoing redevelopment efforts, encourage new businesses and residents, and strengthen connections between key attractions such as the MassMutual Center and Court Square,” the project description said.
Councilors were supportive of how the grant money will be used and voted the money in unanimously. At Large City Councilor Tracye Whitfield said she loved the idea of building a parking garage and using money to improve parts of the city.
Ward 6 City Councilor Victor Davila concurred.
“Tim, I love it when you come in here and you give us great news,” Davila said.
Aside from those two major projects, around $250,000 will be used for a reuse study at First Church; $120,000 for a traffic impact study; $180,000 for a gaming awareness program and $253,700 for capital improvements at Symphony Hall.
According to project documents, the reuse study at First Church will determine the feasibility of transforming the historic venue into a regional visitors/events center that includes an event space, art and educational exhibit space, a music and performance venue and a home for tourism related agencies.
No match is required for this grant money, according to Sheehan.
