By Paul Tuthill
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Springfield,MA – Hundreds of millions of dollars in federal earmarks for the urban renewal of the busiest thoroughfare in Springfield Massachusetts has led to a major development project spearheaded by American International College. WAMC"s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports.
American International College has acquired 18 mostly derelict properties along State Street and intends to redevelop the five acre site, which abuts the college's athletic fields that are a half mile from the main campus. A-I-C President Vincent Maniaci said plans are not final, but the goal is a mixed development that would serve the college, and also include retail and other commercial uses.
The buildings on the properties are being torn down, and officials say the site will be cleared and made green. There is no timetable for the next phase of the development. A-I-C officials say the parcels were acquired over a period of time for a total cost of roughly 1 point 2 million dollars. The demolition and greening will cost the college an estimated 200 thousand dollars.
Massachusetts Congressman Richard Neal hailed the announcement by A-I-C
Neal has secured about 200 million dollars in federal funds in an effort to revitalize Springfield's State Street Corridor..the city's major east-west thoroughfare which extends for three miles from downtown to the city's outskirts. A new federal court house was built on State Street. 17 million dollars in roadway improvements were done.
The administration of Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has also invested heavily in the State Street corridor. The state is building a 110 million dollar data center a block from the new federal building. Masschusetts Lt Governor Timothy Murray also praised the A-I-C project, which is dubbed the Eastern Gateway, saying it will create jobs and expand the city's tax base
A-I-C is partnering on the project with Develop Springfield, a non-profit economic development corporation. Develop Springfield chairman Nick Fyntrilakis said it is one of seven priority projects planned in the three mile long State Street Corridor.
State Street in Springfield is prominent in American History. It was created in 1676 as a link between New York and Boston