Urban Land Institute Springfield: Strategies for a Sustainable City Overview & Recommendations

1. Urban Land InstituteSpringfield: Strategies for a Sustainable CityOverview & Recommendations

2. Objective resource in urban planning, growth and development World-wide experience, stellar reputation Practical, reality-based recommendations Inclusive, community-wide dynamic process Immediate consensus driven program Why Springfield chose ULI

3. Inclusive Community Based Plan Puts effort behind the right projects Makes best use of assets Retains the equity we have Develops a plan for now Forges partnership with Business Community Goal of ULI process: Setting our collective priorities

4. Cross-sector leadership Capitalize on strengths Downtown's market potential Neighborhood preservation ULI’s assessment & recommendations

5. Effective local government support Foster civic pride and corporate philanthropy Visionary developers Regional pride and cooperative Cross-sector leadership

6. Extend the term of the Finance Control Board Work to increase state appropriations Create and promote guiding principles for good government Celebrate diversity and seek inclusiveness Cross-sector leadership: Recommendations

7. Exceptional regional access Vibrant mix of uses in the urban core Architecturally significant buildings ripe for redevelopment Abundant, convenient parking 350-year history Capitalize on Springfield’s strengths

8. Think like a master developer Establish criteria for evaluating city projects Enhance and develop critical planning, development and enforcement tools Inventory and repackage vacant land Springfield’s strengths: Planning & development strategies

9. Maximize assets: Historic downtown and cultural attractions Minimize liabilities: Office and commercial vacancies, perception of crime, civil disorder Enhance downtown’s market potential

10. Market, Market, Market Convert vacant/underused Class B & C spaces into market-rate housing Expand retail development attracting street-oriented retailers (e.g. American Apparel) Identify and attract target markets for downtown living (e.g. young professionals) Raise occupancy in existing downtown commercial space Downtown: Planning & Development strategies

11. Short-term priority projects Redevelopment of 31 Elm Street project Re-use of old Federal building on Main Street York Street Jail demolition Mid-term priority projects Main Street and State Street Corridor Improvements Downtown parking lots Apremont Triangle area Future development Union Station Downtown strategies

12. Rich, varied, historic housing stock Affordable prices Preserving Springfield’s neighborhoods

13. Short-term Priority Project The South End Mid-term Priority Projects Targeted neighborhood improvements Smith Carriage Company District Community resources in and around East Columbus Avenue Vacant houses of worship throughout Springfield Future development Mason Square fire station Former Chapman Valve site Memorial Industrial Park II Neighborhood

14. Attract leadership from throughout the community Make downtown a destination to live, work, and play Preserve the character and integrity of neighborhoods ULI: Report summary

15. New York Times Article on 5/9/07 Focused on ULI and joint effort of City Staff, Local Businesses, Chamber of Commerce, EDC, Community Leaders and residents The Boston Chapter of the ULI has volunteered to perform 2 Technical Assistance Panels (TAP) The First TAP is focused on Hollywood/ Gemini Panel performed fact-finding mission on 4/17/07 Panel presented findings on 4/28/07 Panel final report expected late May The Second TAP is focused on the Downtown Panel performed fact finding mission on 5/8/07 Panel to present findings in late May or early June Moving Forward