UMass plans to open urban design center in downtown Springfield
Published: Oct. 30, 2009, 12:30 a.m.
Peter Goonan | pgoonan@repub.com
SPRINGFIELD – The University of Massachusetts at Amherst will open an urban design center downtown early next year, marking the school's first step to locate programs in Springfield.
Chancellor Robert C. Holub announced on Thursday the university will locate the program at 3-7 Elm St. in Court Square, a vacant, three-story building known as the Byers Block.
Plans call for the design center to open on Feb. 1 and to provide a variety of programs in architecture, landscape architecture, conservation and regional planning, officials said. The center will involve faculty and graduate students of the University of Massachusetts.
"Over time, we expect to use the space for instruction, studios and meeting purposes," Holub said in a letter of intent submitted to Mayor Domenic J. Sarno.
The building is attached to the long-vacant six-story office building at 13-31 Elm St., which is being marketed for a mix of residential, office and commercial uses. The university has an interest in being involved in a future project at the larger building and in other local endeavors, city and university officials said.
Holub said there is an ongoing multi-prong effort to work with Springfield officials to contribute to the revitalization of the city.
Sarno and the city's chief development officer John D. Judge praised the news. Specific details, including rent, are still being worked out, officials said.
"We are thrilled with the UMass decision to move into downtown," Sarno said. "The new urban design center will provide a great resource to the city of Springfield and help us to continue to advance our economic development efforts."
John Mullin, the university's dean of the graduate schools, said the urban design center is part of a long-term relationship planned with Springfield.
"This is one of our commitments to the city on economic development and will build a platform for an ongoing, expanded relationship with the city of Springfield," Mullin said.
Holub said his staff will continue to work with Springfield on a broader commitment including: fostering university-related business spin-offs in Springfield; expanding the number of Springfield students attending the college; and "examining opportunities to place university back-up functions in the downtown."