Page 11 - BusinessWest August 18, 2025

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT >>
Westfield Finds Ways to Raise Its Profile
BY JOSEPH BEDNAR
[email protected]
Westfield Mayor Michael McCabe is a believer in busi-
ness growth — specifically, bringing new businesses
to the city to boost the tax base and general vibran-
cy. But for every opportunity, there’s a challenge.
For example, “how do we balance the environment with
new growth? Our north side pretty much all sits above an
aquifer system, which has caused us some angst because
most of the land that we have for economic development and
growth is on the north side.
“Elm Street Plaza has really worked out
beyond our expectations.”
“So if you’re trying to be respectful of your aquifer and at
the same time trying to figure out how you get new growth,
it’s an interesting scenario,” he went on. “As you know, new
growth is one of the things that actually funds the city. It’s
where you get new tax revenue from, so you don’t have to tax
your residents more.”
That said, while this city — the region’s fourth-most popu-
lous and one of the largest geographically in the state — has
seen new businesses lay down roots, from several new res-
taurants downtown to industrial businesses on the north
side, what’s been happening at the municipal level has made
the biggest news lately, including:
• The completion of the five-year Cowles Bridge replace-
ment project on Routes 10 and 202, vwhich should be fin-
ished by Sept. 25;
• A planned reimagining and redesign of Mass Pike exit
41 — funded by the Massachusetts Department of Trans-
portation — that aims create a more motorist- and resident-
friendly traffic pattern involving three roundabouts;
• A coming new Police Department headquarters on
Union Street, expected to be open by the end of 2027; and
• Elm Street Plaza, a gathering and performance space
that has not only drawn both city residents and visitors to
Westfield’s downtown for events, but opened up much-need-
ed parking for retail shop and restaurant owners;
“Elm Street Plaza has really worked out beyond our
expectations,” McCabe said, “with the amount of events and
the amount of use it gets, and the amount of free parking it
has, so merchants can have customers in and out who don’t
have to worry about trying to find parking.”
That development has coincided with a number of new
restaurants downtown, offering culinary diversity to the cen-
tral district, he added.
“If you’re looking for something to eat and you don’t want
traditional America cuisine, you have Spanish, you have Ital-
ian, you have Turkish, you have Ukrainian, you have Slavic,
you have Polish, you have Vietnamese … I mean, you have a
pretty eclectic mix, all within a tenth of a mile.”
The downtown will also play host to a welcome-back
party for Westfield State University students, one way the
city is trying to connect the school to its downtown, McCabe
added. “I think there’s a realization that vibrancy begins with
Westfield
at a Glance
Year Incorporated: 1669
Population: 40,834
Area: 47.4 square miles
County: Hampden
Residential Tax Rate: $15.18
Commercial Tax Rate: $29.17
Median Household Income: $45,240
Median Family Income: $55,327
Type of Government: Mayor, City
Council
Largest Employers: Westfield State
University, Baystate Noble Hospital,
Mestek Inc., Savage Arms Inc., Advance
Manufacturing Co.
* Latest information available
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