Are MA's top 3 cities set in stone? (Boston, Worcester: lofts, credit)

[western mass and love it]

I don't see Springfield declining much further, I feel as though it is on the verge of an upswing.

[Gracehappens]

Why an upswing? Do you think the casino is going to prompt relocation to the area? I find Springfield incredibly depressing!

[btownboss4]

Originally Posted by western mass and love it

I don't see Springfield declining much further, I feel as though it is on the verge of an upswing.

The Census Bureau overestimated Boston, Worcester, and Springfield last census, Springfield is likely stable, if not slightly at loss because of the 2011 tornado.

Also, Massnative, what do you mean "most of the city is suburban" in relation to Lowell? Parts of the Southeast are, but its only a small area, Downtown, the Acre, Back Central, Pawtucketville, etc. are all exclusively urban.

[thenewtexan]

Originally Posted by btownboss4

I really can not see any city passing Boston, Worcester, or Springfield, barring Massive annexation by a city like Lowell or Something.

Lowell and Cambridge are sort of catching Springfield but both at least 45,000 back and aré much smsllr physically.
Annexation will never ever in a million years happen. So is 150,000 unreachable for any other Mass. city?

Yeah, pretty much. There won't be annexation any time soon. There's not enough room in Cambridge or Lowell for 50 percent growth, even if they build up, and not out. Even if there was room, it wouldn't happen due to strict zoning and environmental laws. Too many trees would need to be sacrificed. We're talking about Massachusetts, not Texas, Arizona or Nevada. I say this under the preface that Springfield will not decline much further.

[Parsec]

Originally Posted by massnative71

I don't think anybody is?

Yeah, I don't think anyone is talking about a city's worth here. They're just discussing population numbers and whether it's likely to change in the future. "Top 3" as in top 3 most populous cities.

[Parsec]

Originally Posted by Gracehappens

Why an upswing? Do you think the casino is going to prompt relocation to the area? I find Springfield incredibly depressing!

I am hoping the casino will bring other businesses and family entertainment to the area. I want it to become a local destination where New Englanders can take their family for a weekend getaway. There's already the Six Flags, but another water park would be nice. All the new hotels and restaurants that will open will likely create a few thousand jobs so I wouldn't be surprised if people relocate there from other depressed areas like Hartford.

[btownboss4]

Originally Posted by Parsec

I am hoping the casino will bring other businesses and family entertainment to the area. I want it to become a local destination where New Englanders can take their family for a weekend getaway. There's already the Six Flags, but another water park would be nice. All the new hotels and restaurants that will open will likely create a few thousand jobs so I wouldn't be surprised if people relocate there from other depressed areas like Hartford.

Greater Springfield would be one heck of a destination, Casino, Basketball Hall of Fame, Six Flags, Volleyball Hall of Fame, the Big E, Forest Park Zoo etc.

[western mass and love it]

Not only the casino but also the Knowledge corridor rail line between Springfield and New Haven. The revitalization of
Union Station as a transportation hub and retail center.

Springfield really needs to do something to attract people to downtown besides Worthington street bars. The city really needs something more family oriented besides the Falcons games(AHL Hockey) and Armor games(NBADL). Outside of events at the MassMutual Center there is nothing there. Whether it be movie theaters or some chain restaurants or big box retail, they need something sooner rather tan later.

As it stands now the only things in Spfld worth going to are the BB Hall of Fame complex and that's about it. Forest Park is nice but a bit far from downtown. If the city didn't insist on 91 being built in Spfld back in the 60's they could have done something with the Connecticut riverfront. But it's there and it effectively cuts of any hope of developing the waterfront.

For the people of the area there is actually no reason to go into Spfld for anything. You can do almost everything you would want to do or need to do in West Springfield ,Holyoke, Chicopee, Wilbraham, Enfield CT and Westfield. Whether it be shopping, dining, movies, outdoor entertainment, anything really. Springfield never really sold itself or fought hard enough for the types of things that would attract people to it's downtown. The people who live downtown don't even have a grocery store.

I would love Springfield to get it's act together, but it needs some new leadership and really needs to get the crime under control before people will really get behind it.

[btownboss4]

With the gun industry booming as it is the pioneer valley in general is probably growing faster than the estimates think, but not sure how it is distributed between the cities.

[CaseyB]

Originally Posted by western mass and love it

I would love Springfield to get it's act together, but it needs some new leadership and really needs to get the crime under control before people will really get behind it.

That's the key because really it has a terrible reputation.