Page 11 - BusinessWest September 2, 2024

West Springfield
Continued from page 8
downtown transformation is just one development the community is celebrat- ing as it also marks its 250th birthday — an ongoing party that has included fireworks, a revitalized Taste of West Springfield, and a 5K, and culminated with a parade on Aug. 24.
Indeed, the town that calls itself a city is also celebrating (if that’s the right word) some important infrastructure projects — on Elm Street, Memorial Avenue, and (soon) on Riverdale Street — that are bringing some inconve- nience now but substantial benefits ... well, down the road.
Also in the infrastructure category is a long-sought and highly antici- pated solution to the rail crossing at Front Street near the border with Agawam — a flyover that will alleviate traffic backups in that area and make it more attractive for economic devel-
“There is a strong need, but there is just not much land that can be developed, and when we do propose something, it’s not welcomed.”
opment (more on that later).
And while there is progress on
many fronts, there is less of it in one identified area of need — housing, said Reichelt, noting that, while this community has many assets, an abun- dance of developable land is not one of them.
“There is a strong need, but there is just not much land that can be developed, and when we do propose something, it’s not welcomed,” he said, adding that options are being considered, including very prelimi- nary talks with the owners of the Cin- emark theaters on Riverdale about the massive back parking lot, which might be ideal for a public-safety com- plex and some mixed-use housing.
Still, there are a few housing proj- ects in various stages of development, including a condominium develop- ment at the site of a nursery on Piper Cross Road, as well as another proj- ect being undertaken by Saremi LLP — redevelopment of a former nursing home on Westfield Street into multi- family housing, most likely of the over-55 variety.
When a Plan Comes Together
As plans for redevelopment of 95 Elm St. were being drawn up, Saremi said, it was viewed as a three-year
>>
project.
Instead, it took maybe 18 months
to secure tenants to fill the property’s three floors, he explained, adding that the property is now home to a variety of tenants, including the Saremi com- pany, which has several components, including a real-estate arm and a stu- dent health-insurance venture; Tandem Bagel and West Side Bar & Grill; Kin- dred at Home; the Worcester-based Seven Hills Foundation and Affiliates, which has made Westside its Western
Allyson Manuel, seen here at one of the new sidewalks at the common on Elm Street, says there is renewed vibrancy in the downtown area.
Local. Luxury. Laplante.
Building your vision in East Longmeadow | Chatham laplanteconstruction.com
PHOTOGRAPHY: MARINA PORL
BusinessWest
<< COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT >>
SEPTEMBER 2, 2024 11