Why doesn’t Springfield downtown have more a happening downtown (Boston: section 8, crime rate)

[Siberiaboy]

Potbelly sandwich works
Fuddruckers
Whole Foods
Bareburger

Pho Vietnamese
Peach wave
A dessert man and pap

A place with Italian ice , gelato,
a Viennese bakery
And Italian local cappuccino place

With water taxis on the CT River and the existing high rises overlooking this

A revitalized trolly system connecting MGM and then a rail to Boston

And a Massmutual Center all glowing over this skyline

Why is this not Springfield, Massachusetts?

[Boston Shudra]

A lack of industry and a legacy of white flight?

[id77]

Originally Posted by Siberiaboy

Potbelly sandwich works
Fuddruckers
Whole Foods
Bareburger

Pho Vietnamese
Peach wave
A dessert man and pap

A place with Italian ice , gelato,
a Viennese bakery
And Italian local cappuccino place

With water taxis on the CT River and the existing high rises overlooking this

A revitalized trolly system connecting MGM and then a rail to Boston

And a Massmutual Center all glowing over this skyline

Why is this not Springfield, Massachusetts?

If Fuddrucker’s, Potbelly, and a couple of ice cream joints are the headliners in the restaurant scene, you’ve found your reason why downtown Springfield isn’t more exciting.

[in_newengland]

Springfield used to have everything. Then they built malls in the outskirts and after that they tore the downtown buildings down. I belong to a page on FB where they show old pictures of Springfield and we talk about how it used to be, the stores, the big beautiful homes, the schools, etc.

People wanted new houses and big yards out in the suburbs so that's where they moved. Springfield used to have a great school system, a vibrant downtown, a wonderful park (at least that's still there), but every time they try to revitalize it, it fails. I don't know what it would take but it can never be as wonderful as it used to be. For one thing, the powers that be will never build rail to Boston. You have to go by bus.

I think there's been a history of corruption in the city government, maybe that's why nothing really gets accomplished. Twenty years ago my ex worked in Springfield, where he had lived his entire life, and he said there was Mafia all over the place. But that was supposed to be cleaned up. Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't. I don't know. I don't go there now because I think it's probably too dangerous and there's not much left to go there for. A few of the restaurants are still there--the Red Rose Italian restaurant and The Student Prince for German food.

I don't know why Springfield hasn't made a comeback. The location is good and it used to be a nice place. If anyone has the answer/s let's hear it.

[CaseyB]

I think Springfield's current population doesn't have the money to support nice restaurants/stores. If and when that changes, and the city starts to gentrify, you'll see them located there. The crime rate needs to fall.

[yesmaybe]

Originally Posted by in_newengland

I don't know why Springfield hasn't made a comeback. The location is good and it used to be a nice place. If anyone has the answer/s let's hear it.

The location sucks. It's too far from Boston.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by yesmaybe

The location sucks. It's too far from Boston.

It has no appeal to promote a resurgence. Gentrification isn't going to happen. No appeal to young artists, or young techies. Crime rates change from demographic changes, and there is nothing to change that. Might be some minor fluctuations here and there, but thats it.

[in_newengland]

Originally Posted by timberline742

It has no appeal to promote a resurgence. Gentrification isn't going to happen. No appeal to young artists, or young techies. Crime rates change from demographic changes, and there is nothing to change that. Might be some minor fluctuations here and there, but thats it.

Probably so. Gentrification isn't going to happen because people don't even want to go to Springfield, let alone live there with the way it is now. Manufacturing is gone--no one makes Indian Motorcycles anymore, no need for the armory. No need for the beautiful department stores anymore. There are plenty of nice homes in the neighboring suburbs so there's no need to move there. Forest Park is about all there is left that's wonderful in Springfield.

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by timberline742

It has no appeal to promote a resurgence. Gentrification isn't going to happen. No appeal to young artists, or young techies. Crime rates change from demographic changes, and there is nothing to change that. Might be some minor fluctuations here and there, but thats it.

18.6% with college degrees. 28.6% poverty rate and that was before COVID-19. Staggeringly high single parent household rate and child poverty rate that perpetuates generational poverty. A dumping ground for Section 8 people displaced from a rapidly gentrifying Boston.

Without turning around the generational poverty problem, I don’t see how Springfield ever gentrifies. The labor force has no 21st century job skills so no employer needing skilled workers is going to locate there. 80% of 8th graders aren’t at grade level in math and English. Address that as the highest priority.

[wror]

I would not step foot in any city in the country. Cities are done. Over. "It's over Johnny!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLo-ylNPXyE

Suburbs are on deck.