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Today’s edition · Wed., Nov. 11

Courthouse study projects 3,000 jobs; state forgives $19M of water plant loan

Plus, the state forgives $19 million of a loan for the West Parish water plant.

The Springfield Morning News team2 stories18 sources5 min read

CourthouseTop story

A study for the Springfield courthouse developers projects about 3,000 jobs

The study projects the most courthouse jobs in year two

Sources: WWLP, MassLive.com

View as table
Value
First year300
Second year1,100
Third year900
Final six months600

The team presented a new economic impact report Tuesday for the proposed Springfield Regional Justice Center at 125 Liberty St. MassLive says the study predicts about 3,000 jobs over 42 months of construction.

The report also projects about $322 million in labor income. Western Mass News reports about $9 million in local tax revenue and $17 million for the state, with 60% of the jobs in construction and professional services.

The study projects $419 million added to the state's economy

$462 million
for the courthouse's cost
$419 million
added to the state's gross state product
$322 million
in new labor income for workers
$94 million+
in new tax revenue for governments

Source: MassLive.com

Not everyone's sold. Jeb Balise and Dinesh Patel, who lost the bid, are continuing legal action. Balise argued construction jobs would come with whoever won. Project leaders said they want to hire locally but gave no percentage for Springfield residents.

  • Next: contractor hiring and bids begin in the coming months
  • Minority participation goal: at least 15%
  • Lease to the state: $1.94 billion over 40 years

Water

The state forgave $19 million of the West Parish water plant loan

If you're a Springfield Water and Sewer Commission ratepayer, here's a break. The said Monday it forgave $19 million of a $50 million loan for the new in Westfield.

The state forgave $19 million of a $50 million loan

$19Mforgiven on the West Parish plant loan

Sources: NewsRadio 560 WHYN, MassLive.com

View as table
Value
forgiven on the West Parish plant loan$19M

“This loan forgiveness will not only save our ratepayers $19 million in direct costs, but also on interest payments for that amount.”

Jaimye Bartak, Springfield Water and Sewer Commission spokesperson

$363.8 millionestimated cost of the new West Parish plant

Construction in Westfield is scheduled to be complete in 2028.

Source: MassLive.com

WHYN reports that State Treasurer Deb Goldberg's office announced the forgiveness. The plant will use dissolved air flotation to remove more organic material from the water, which the commission says will help it meet federal standards.

  • Forgiven statewide: $108.1 million across 46 projects
  • Communities helped: 35
  • Plant will serve: a quarter-million people
  • Funding: a $250 million low-interest EPA loan

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News Notes · More

Veterans Day

Communities across western Massachusetts are holding parades and ceremonies today. In Agawam, observances start early: gather at 6:45 a.m. for a 7 a.m. wreath-laying at the Vietnam Memorial Bridge, also known as the Strathmore Bridge. WWLP

Armory Street

MassDOT held a public meeting Tuesday night on plans to demolish and rebuild two Armory Street bridges over active and abandoned CSX railroad tracks. Construction is expected to continue through 2032, and drivers could face restrictions and detours. WWLP

Baystate Mercy

After the early November renaming of Mercy Medical Center to Baystate Mercy Hospital, some patients say they're seeing canceled appointments and trouble getting prescription refills. Physician departures have left some facing waits of several months to establish care with a new provider. WWLP

Alden Church

Amarico McKenzie, Shawn Kennedy and Tishawn Gayle created the nonprofit Sons of Springfield, bought Alden Baptist Church in May and plan to turn it into a community hub. If you want a say, an open house runs 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday. Western Mass News

Thunderbirds

The Thunderbirds fell 5-2 to the Hartford Wolf Pack in Tuesday's School Day Game at the MassMutual Center, giving up the first goal for a fifth straight game. WWLP expected more than 6,000 students, and Western Mass News reported over 4,000 came. Springfield is now 4-6-2-1. Springfield ThunderbirdsWWLPWestern Mass News

The Wolf Pack beat the Thunderbirds 5-⁠2 on School Day

  • Hartford Wolf Pack5 (won)
    Springfield Thunderbirds2
    FinalAnnual School Day Game at the MassMutual Center

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Asked

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Around Massachusetts · More

Holyoke Walmart

Holyoke's Planning Board took up a plan Tuesday night for a Walmart Supercenter where the Kmart closed in 2020. WWLP reports the plan calls for a 184,900-square-foot store at 2201 Northampton St. with a garden center, a drive-through pharmacy and 699 parking spaces. The old building is set to be demolished in the coming months. Western Mass NewsWWLP

The proposed Holyoke Walmart would cover 184,900 square feet

Floor area of the proposed Holyoke Walmart Supercenter, beside places you know

The proposed Holyoke Walmart Supercenter184,900 sq. ft.Replaces the old Kmart
A football field57,600 sq. ft.end zones included
A Walmart Supercenterabout 180,000 sq. ft.

3 football fields would fit inside the proposed Holyoke Walmart Supercenter

Source: WWLP

View as table
Floor area
The proposed Holyoke Walmart Supercenter184,900 sq. ft. (Replaces the old Kmart)
A football field57,600 sq. ft. (end zones included)
A Walmart Supercenterabout 180,000 sq. ft.

Toys for Tots

22News launches its Toys for Tots drive Monday, Nov. 16, and it runs through Dec. 7. Drop new, unwrapped toys at the 22News lobby, 1 Broadcast Center in Chicopee, or give money online. WWLP

Student letters

State Sen. John Velis delivered more than 2,000 student letters to residents of the Veterans Home at Holyoke on Tuesday. The effort is in its seventh year. WWLP

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Asked

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Asked

Will you give to a toy drive this holiday season?

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Today’s puzzles

A new puzzle in each one every morning, played right here.

All 13 games

Quoted

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— Thomas Paine

Things to Do

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Springfield, MA

Wednesday, Nov. 11

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Around the Block

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Neighbors

Just saw on channel 40 news about the 300 complaints they got on facebook over the weekend about the wait times at Baystate ER it nothing new that’s been like that for 10 plus years I’ve spent many many trips and waits at the ER with my mother in

“the past they need to stop blaming it on the merger people are in desperate need of urgent care weather it physical care, medication, respiratory, and most important heart/ stroke urgency it’s awful how we have to turn to them in matter of life or death situation so sad and NOBODY cares no matter who call what a…”

— A neighbor, East Forest Park

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The Wrap

Downtown Springfield's oldest building is getting some care. Old First Church has stood on Court Square since 1819, and stabilization and restoration work there began this summer. The city is paying with American Rescue Plan Act money and a Community Preservation Act grant. Good bones deserve good care.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Towns want a seat on Springfield's water and sewer board

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Every source in this edition18 links · 7 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. WWLPwwlp.com
  3. MassLive.commasslive.com
  4. Western Mass Newswesternmassnews.com
  5. MassLive.commasslive.com
  6. NewsRadio 560 WHYNwhyn.iheart.com
  7. WWLPwwlp.com
  8. WWLPwwlp.com
  9. WWLPwwlp.com
  10. Western Mass Newswesternmassnews.com
  11. Springfield Thunderbirdsspringfieldthunderbirds.com
  12. WWLPwwlp.com
  13. Western Mass Newswesternmassnews.com
  14. Western Mass Newswesternmassnews.com
  15. WWLPwwlp.com
  16. WWLPwwlp.com
  17. WWLPwwlp.com
  18. Springfield events calendarspringfieldmorningnews.com

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Springfield Morning Newsto me · Wed., Nov. 116:00 a.m.

Courthouse study projects 3,000 jobs; state forgives $19M of water plant loan

Plus, the state forgives $19 million of a loan for the West Parish water plant.

The TLDR

  1. Courthouse study projects about 3,000 construction jobs
  2. State forgives $19 million of West Parish plant loan
  3. Armory Street bridge work could run through 2032
Read this edition

More stories this week

From Springfield Morning News’ other editions

All the news
City HallRegional leaders push to give surrounding towns a seat on Springfield's water and sewer boardIf you pay a water or sewer bill outside Springfield, your town has no seat on the board that oversees the service. State Sen. Jake Oliveira and officials from Agawam, Westfield, Ludlow and Longmeadow pushed Monday to expand the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission's board from three members to seven. All three current members are appointed by Springfield's mayor.JobsSpringfield's Tech Foundry lands a $100,000 grant to train more tech workersIf you've got your eye on a tech career, Springfield's Tech Foundry just got a boost. Citizens awarded the nonprofit a two-year, $100,000 grant to expand Tech Launch, its job training program. The money is expected to help Tech Foundry serve up to 120 students and 160 alumni.HolyokeHolyoke's new veterans home has cut its ribbon and has 234 beds to fillThe new Massachusetts Veterans Home at Holyoke held its ribbon-cutting Thursday, Oct. 29, with a moment of silence for the 76 veterans who died in the COVID-19 outbreak at the old Soldiers' Home. A MassLive column says the new building doubles capacity from 117 to 234 long-term care beds and adds an adult day health program.

Around Springfield

From Western Mass News, MassLive.com and WWLP, gathered by 6AM News, 6AM City’s local news service.

More local news
  1. Western Mass News34 minutes ago

    Dry & Seasonable for Veterans Day, on Western Mass News

    Tracking rain and the first snow of the season for many Thursday into Friday

  2. MassLive.com55 minutes ago

    Mass. weather: First snowfall of season could be on the way, on MassLive.com

    A stretch of rainy weather is headed for Massachusetts and is expected to linger into the weekend.

  3. MassLive.com2 hours ago

    Westfield effort continues providing Bags for Bravery, on MassLive.com

    College student Jillian Battles packed 800 care packages for troops and veterans, continuing her community-backed initiative that began in middle school.

    Also reported byWWLP

  4. MassLive.com2 hours ago

    Springfield’s Old First Church exterior improvements close to completion, on MassLive.com

    The clock has been repaired and is keeping time for the first time in a dozen years.

  5. MassLive.com2 hours ago

    Approval of new Verizon pole generates discussion at City Council, on MassLive.com

    Westfield City Council approved a new Verizon pole on Fowler Road, but the hearing sparked debate over utility accountability, with one councilor citing neglected poles as safety hazards in her ward.