Page 7 - BusinessWest September 14 2020

Mayor Domenic Sarno says he’s confident that the city can make a strong — and quick — rebound from COVID-19.
the city’s South End.
“One of more positive things we’re seeing is
that development interest in Springfield remains strong,” he told BusinessWest. “And for some larger-scale projects, it’s new interest, from out- side the area. And that bodes well for the whole effort that’s been made in terms of the downtown renaissance and the casino development; the development community’s message on Spring-
field is a good one.”
In the meantime, some
projects are already moving forward, most notably the conversion of the long-dor- mant former Court Square Hotel into apartments
and retail space, but also
the extensive renovations (although that’s not the word being used) at the Tower Square Hotel in anticipation of regaining the Marriott flag that long flew over the facil- ity, the new Wahlburger’s restaurant going up next to MGM Springfield, the new White Lion Brewery in Tower Square, the conversion of the former Willys-Overland building on Chestnut Street into market-rate housing, movement to reinvent the Eastfield Mall, a plan to redevelop Apremont Trian- gle, and much more.
But despite these projects, and despite the mayor’s confidence that the city will rebound quickly once the pandemic eases, there are cer- tainly concerns about what toll the pandemic will take on existing businesses, especially those in retail, hospitality, and the commercial real- estate sector — specifically, the office towers downtown.
There is strong speculation that businesses that now have some or most employees working remotely will continue with these arrangements
after the pandemic eases, leaving many likely looking for smaller office footprints. Sheehan noted that such potential downsizing might be offset by businesses needing larger spaces for each employee in a world where social distanc- ing might still be the norm, but there is certainly
We owe a debt of gratitude to all of the healthcare workers who fight every day against COVID-19. Now more than ever, it’s important to recognize and salute these local heroes and the work they continue to do during these unprecedented times.
Our sincerest thanks to all healthcare heroes.
BusinessWest
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 7
Springfield at a glance
YEAR INCORPORATED: 1852
POPULATION: 154,758
AREA: 33.1 square miles
COUNTY: Hampden
RESIDENTIAL TAX RATE: $19.53
COMMERCIAL TAX RATE: $39.23
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME: $35,236
MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME: $51,110
TYPE OF GOVERNMENT: Mayor, City Council
LARGEST EMPLOYERS: Baystate Health, MassMutual Financial Group, Big Y Foods, MGM Springfield, Mercy Medical Center, CHD, Smith & Wesson Inc.
* Latest information available