By Paul Tuthill
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-845362.mp3
Springfield MA – Officials say they have taken a major step toward the long sought redevelopment of Union Station in Springfield Massachusetts. It is considered one of the most significant transportation projects in the region and could also be a catalyst for economic growth in the city's downtown.. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports....
The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority and the Springfield Redevelopment Authority have agreed to create a new public entity to develop and manage the effort to transform the derelict Union Station into a regional hub for Amtrak, commuter rail, intercity and mass transit buses.
The as yet un-named new entity, that will have to be created by an act of the Massachusetts Legislature, would be run by a three member board of directors consisting of the mayor of Springfield, the city's chief development officer and the administrator of the PVTA. Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno called this a huge a step.
Union Station has been vacant for 30 years and officials have long hoped to do something with the property. The latest plan was unveiled last September. It calls for the main terminal building to be completely renovated to house ticket windows, a food court and other passenger amenities. There would be a day care center and the PVTA administrative offices would move in. The old baggage building would be torn down and replaced by a bus terminal and a 400 car parking garage.
Earlier plans that included a large retail complex, a hotel and a movie theater were scraped. Still Mayor Sarno believes more development can follow a successful transformation of Union Station. PVTA administrator Mary McInnes says she is 100 percent confident this project will happen.
The estimated cost of the project is 65 million dollars. McInnes says it would be paid for by the state and federal governments. One of the biggest supporters of the effort to redevelop Union Station is Congressman Richard Neal of Springfield.
A few years ago, Neal secured 38 million dollars for the Union Station redevelopment. But, the Federal Transportation Authority froze the funds amid questions about how the PVTA was spending it. The PVTA subsequently replaced its top management. In an interview last month, Neal said he was confident the money for Union Station will be available once questions raised by the federal audit are resolved.
The next step in the project, according to officials, is for the PVTA and the SRA to hire a project manager. Design work is projected to begin this fall with construction completed in 2012.