By Paul Tuthill
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-974540.mp3
Springfield, MA –
Dozens of small businesses on Main Street in Springfield took a direct hit from the June 1st tornadoes.. One is ready to not only reopen its doors, but move forward with a planned expansion. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Buruea Chief Paul Tuthill reports..
Late on the afternoon of June 1st, the staff and patients at the Caring Health Center huddled in an interior room of the South Main Street clinic as glass blew out of the windows and air conditioning units were torn from the rooftop, leaving gaping holes. With insurance paying the 600 thousand dollar repair bill , the clinic which provides free care to the poor, will soon reopen. Caring Health Center's president Ann Awad says , just as importantly, they've decided to move ahead with a previously planned expansion into a vacant building across the street.
Awad says the 18 point 7 million dollar project , which is scheduled to start in August will renovate a former furniture store creating clinic space, administrative offices and a pharmacy. The project will mean up to 75 construction jobs, and 125 new health care positions.
In the days immediately following the tornado, there were concerns that businesses would abandon the South End, where city officials had been implementing revitalization plans. City Councilor Melvin Edwards, who represents the neighborhood, said it's a relief that the restaurants and small shops have stayed. He believes new businesses will someday occupy the vacant lots where buildings that were damaged beyond repair by the tornado had to be torn down.
City officials report that of the 74 businesses affected by the tornadoes, 47 have reopened , another 18 have moved to temporary or new space. Nine businesses remain in limbo. Springfield City Councilor Timothy Allen, who chairs the council's planning and economic development committee says those numbers are encouraging.
Officials say it is difficult to estimate the economic impact of the tornadoes. Some retailers, restaurantuers and the like suffered losses from temporary closures, that in some cases lasted weeks. But, others, contractors, landscapers, and tree removal companies, for example, saw a sharp increase in business.