SPRINGFIELD – The Civic Center Garage is now owned by the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA) and the plans to build a new garage are now being made. The question many people have is how will the removal of those parking spaces in the interim affect both commuters and visitors, as well as downtown businesses.

The five-story garage, constructed in 1971 and featuring 1,232 parking spaces,  originally had a sky-bridge connection to the civic center. According to the mayor’s office, “During the 2004 renovation of the Mass Mutual Center (MMC), the Authority contemplated an acquisition of the garage property but ultimately decided against making a purchase at that time.”

The statement from the mayor’s office continued, “despite several rounds of capital repair work at the facility, recent independent engineering and feasibility studies have determined that the existing structure is well beyond its useful life. Given the high cost of repairs, the limited amount of time that the useful life of the building would be extended, as well as the garage’s current condition, and its importance to the success of the MMC, its existing tenants, and the city of Springfield, the MCCA, with the support of the Baker Administration, will make an impactful investment in the future of Springfield and Western Massachusetts.”

The MMC purchased the garage for $3.5 million. The MMC will operate the new garage.

Thomas Moore, the interim director of the Springfield Parking Authority (SPA), spoke to Reminder Publishing about the impact the removal of the garage.

Is the MCCA now the owner of the garage or is the sale pending? If it is, what is the timeline for the transaction?

“The MCCA is currently the owner of the garage; the closing took place on Nov. 23.”

Has the MCCA discussed its own timeline for demolition and construction with you? How long a process will this be?

“The MCCA has been working cooperatively with the city and the Parking Authority relative to the design and timing of the project throughout, and the parties will continue to meet regularly going forward to coordinate on those fronts. Unfortunately, due to the many logistical challenges created by the COVID-19 global pandemic and its associated restrictions, an estimated date of completion for the project is not currently available; however, the MCCA’s anticipated project schedule has the design, demolition, and construction process being completed within 24-36 months.”  

When will parkers know they will no longer be able to park there?

“At this point, there is no set date for the closure of the existing facility, and it remains fully operational for public parking. As owner of the property, the MCCA will be reaching out to parkers to provide advanced notice of any closure when the time comes.”

Where will they be directed to park? If they are paying a monthly fee, would that fee be different depending upon which lot they use?

“When the Civic Center Garage ultimately goes offline, day-to-day parkers (monthly and transient) will be able to use the SPA’s existing facilities under I-91, known as the South and North Garages, and the Columbus Center Garage on Bridge Street. These facilities have sufficient capacity to accommodate former Civic Center Garage parkers, and are each located about two blocks or so from that location. South Garage is the same rate as the Civic Garage; North Garage and Columbus Center Garage are ten dollars ($10) less a month. Additionally, there are also surface lot options available for parkers in close proximity to the Civic Center Garage site, located at the SPA’s Dwight Street Lot (between Worthington Street and Bridge Street) and at the privately managed lot across the street on Harrison Avenue and Dwight Street (behind the TD Bank building). It is my understanding that the MCCA will be providing this information to parkers as part of their advance notice prior to the closure of the existing garage. If parkers choose one of the SPA facilities, they can simply contact SPA’s office to register their vehicle, set up of their account, and receive a parking pass (the process is quite short). During events at the Mass Mutual Center, the SPA will be working with the city to provide convenient shuttle service from said SPA facilities to the event site. More information about how to utilize the event parking options will be forthcoming from the SPA and/or the city as the details are finalized and large events are again allowed in the commonwealth.”

Will losing the revenue from the garage be a challenge to the SPA or does the $3.5 million sale price cover any potential losses?

“Due to the hard work and sound fiscal management of the SPA Board, led by Chairperson Tom Lott and Vice Chairperson Freda Malone, the Authority has been able to satisfy all existing debts using the proceeds of the sale, and has put itself in a position to remain financially stable long into the future, despite no longer collecting revenue from the Civic Center Garage. Their leadership, along with the steadfast support of Mayor Sarno, has been critical to the realization of the new mixed use parking facility project now underway with our partners at MCCA, as well as to the continued success of the SPA.”

In a written statement, Mayor Domenic Sarno said, “The city of Springfield is extremely excited to announce this critically important redevelopment project in cooperation with the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority and the Springfield Parking Authority. I want to thank Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito for their steadfast support of this economic development project and the continued growth of our region. I would like to also acknowledge Secretary Michael Heffernan and his staff for their continued investment and support of Springfield. In addition, I want to thank SPA Director Attorney Tom Moore, Chairperson Tom Lott and Vice Chairperson Freda Malone for their leadership and hard work throughout this process, and the MCCA for their commitment to making this project a top priority, in the best interests of the residents of Springfield and Western Massachusetts.  This is a pivotal project for our downtown business and entertainment industries.”