FOCUS Springfield to move into City Stage complex

July 22, 2020 | G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com

SPRINGFIELD – The city’s non-profit television studio will have a new home in the former City Stage complex.

Stephen Cary, the station manager and executive producer of FOCUS Springfield, explained to Reminder Publishing that a grant from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission of $300,000 would be used to improve the infrastructure of the section of the complex FOCUS  will occupy.

“This is a building that can really blossom,” he said. “It has the ability of putting a lot of people together to do a lot of things, and at a time when the city needs it more than ever.”

FOCUS Springfield Executive Director John Abbott said, “We’re really excited about the new location. Our current location had been vacant for 12 or 13 years before we moved in. Mayor Sarno asked us to ‘light up’ that corner and we are now hoping to do the same thing for City Stage.”

Mayor Domenic Sarno said in a statement, “My administration has been committed to revitalizing our arts and culture venues throughout our city.  This Mass Gaming Commission Mitigation grant will play a pivotal role in reinvigorating our arts and cultural component at City Stage.  With FOCUS Springfield as new tenants for City Stage and other possible capital and facility improvements to be made, City Stage will once again serve as an important multi-use cultural and entertainment venue that will complement our overall downtown image.”

Cary noted FOCUS is working on a lease agreement with the Springfield Parking Authority, the owners of the building, “so we can begin construction in weeks not months from now.”

Cary explained FOCUS would not be using the main theater area of the complex, but instead the small theater as well as offices and other rooms. He anticipates the offices will be converted into editing suites and a multi-purpose room will be modified into a small studio with a green screen.

The area FOCUS would primarily use is on the ground floor of the building and Cary said the second floor area that is included in the lease could be used for studio and office space for artists and cultural organizations.

FOCUS has been located at the corner of State and Main streets, in a building that is part of MGM Springfield. MGM has sent a notice of eviction to FOCUS with a date of September to vacate. Cary said the current pandemic might affect the speed of the renovations.

Cary said the new location offers FOCUS some important amenities:  “safe parking for loading and unloading; more welcoming to musicians, better access to seniors.”

Interim Executive Director for the Springfield Parking Authority Attorney Thomas D. Moore said, “The Springfield Parking Authority is excited to be moving forward with this important project, and we are extremely grateful to the city, Mayor Sarno, and the Massachusetts Gaming Commission for their support, leadership, and vision for continued economic development in Springfield.”

The theater was built in 1984 and first used by the theater company Stage West until that organization closed in 1998. Springfield Performing Arts Development Corp. was awarded the bid to operate the theater and did so until late 2018 when the company decided not to bid for another term of management.

The mission of FOCUS Springfield is “to improve the quality of life for Springfield residents through stimulating economic development, community building, education, training, and promoting the benefits of living, learning, and working in the city. Located in the heart of the city at the corner of State and Main Streets, FOCUS Springfield showcases the cultural and educational achievements of our citizens, over the airwaves, via the Internet, or in the gallery space facing Main St. FOCUS provides training designed to encourage individual and community based programming, as well as real time activities that will enhance the downtown streetscape.”

FOCUS Springfield regularly broadcasts news events, government meetings, programming created by citizens and special events such as the Springfield Jazz Festival.

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