Page 46 - BusinessWest March 20, 2023
P. 46

regular basis and needs such a facility. A desire to solicit such responses was one of the motivating factors for
renovating the space, said Plotkin, add- ing that, overall, he believes there is room for additional meeting and event space in the region, especially some- thing that falls into the category of ‘different.’
The art makes it so, he said, adding that the works currently on display are mostly from Simpson, a self-described painter, sculptor, muralist, and teach- er, whose works can also be found throughout downtown Springfield, on museum and office-building walls and adorning the sides of buildings as well.
But new works from various artists
will be rotated in and, hopefully, sold, said Plotkin, adding that the art gives the space a unique, always-changing look.
There are three rooms in the 1350 Conference Center, he said, listing a larger room ideal for presentations and meetings of up to 200 people, and two smaller rooms, including the Spring- field Room, that are designed for small- er gatherings, training sessions, team meetings, and more.
The space can be used for a variety of different uses, including fundraising events, annual meetings, and even holi- day parties, he went on, adding that he only recently opened the space to the public — the sign outside the entrance
went up late last month — and has already had a number of inquiries.
“I’m ready now to get the word out to the public and offer it to organiza- tions across the region as another option; I think it’s going to really take off,” he said, adding that the space will be free to tenants of the building, while there will a fee charged to for- profit businesses and a lower fee to nonprofits.
He expects interest to spread through word of mouth, and noted that the space is just one of several intrigu- ing developments at 1350 Main St.
As noted earlier, three long-vacant floors — six, seven, and eight — will have new tenants. The Committee
for Public Counsel Services, which includes the Public Defender divi-
sion, Children and Family Law, and
the Youth Advocacy division, will bring close to 100 people to the building. Meanwhile, the Department of Children and Families will bring an additional 200 people to that address.
As they do so, they will do more than activate some long-vacant space, said Plotkin, adding that these addi- tions should help many downtown businesses that have been impacted by the pandemic and the accompanying trend toward remote and hybrid work schedules.
“We’re bringing 320 people down- town — that should make the restau-
rants happy,” he said, adding that his- tory has shown the importance of the downtown office towers — especially when vacancy rates are low — to the surrounding business community.
With these new additions, 1350 will approach 70% occupancy, said Plotkin, adding that he is exploring all options for the remaining spaces, which include the 16th and 17th floors (the ‘penthouse’), which were
“We’re still just moving the pieces around. We need to get some net gains in the downtown, and the region as a whole.”
occupied by Disability Management Services until last June, and several retail spaces on the ground floor, including the large space last occu- pied by Santander Bank.
As he goes about trying to fill those spaces, he reiterated his contention that what the city — and the region — need are positive momentum when it comes to absorption, and less move- ment by existing businesses from building to building.
“We’re still just moving the pieces around,” he said. “We need to get some net gains in the downtown, and the region as a whole.”
Imaginative Stroke
Talking in general terms about Springfield, the region, and its busi- ness community, Plotkin said there is an ongoing need to be creative and do more to bring people to Springfield and its downtown.
With the new 1350 Conference Center, he believes he’s doing both.
He considers this an exciting new addition to the landscape, event space that is a work of art. Time will tell if
it generates the interest he expects it will, but this is certainly shaping up to be an intriguing brush stroke as he fills in the canvas that is 1350 Main. BW
  46 MARCH 20, 2020
<< COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE >>
BusinessWest





































































   44   45   46   47   48