Sneakers are coming to Springfield!

UMass Amherst, The City of Springfield, The Springfield Business Improvement District and TSM Design have signed an MOU to bring 5 foot sneakers to the City of Springfield.

"...Therefore, be it resolved that The Greater Springfield - UMass Amherst Partnership, The Springfield Business Improvement District and TSM Design agree to sponsor, plan, implement and manage the public art project, Sneaker Parade, in Downtown Springfield. This cooperative activity will be designed to celebrate the City of Springfield, its communities, artists and all partners involved..."

STAY TUNED, MORE TO FOLLOW

UMass Amherst Sponsors Urban Land Institute Riverfront Development Event

Last night, Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Chief Development Officer John Judge welcomed panelists from Providence, RI, Manchester, NH, Lowell, MA and MassDevelopment to discuss riverfront development challenges and accomplishments. The event, organized by the Urban Land Institute and sponsored by UMass Amherst and the City of Springfield, was well attended by regional industry and municipal representatives along with UMass Amherst faculty and students.

WWLP coverage

Design Center Renovations Underway

Renovations under in full swing on the new design center in Court Square. First image: this corner was once the private office of the previous tenant-a jeweler, the walls came down to give us more studio space for UMass Amherst students and faculty. .

Second image: Standing inside 7 Elm street, the sheet rock from the wall adjoining 3 and 7 Elm has been removed. In both images the old flooring has been removed, the plywood sanded, the walls have been stripped, and the lovely dilapidated New England Patriots wall banner is nowhere to be seen...

Design Center Construction Kickoff

On February 5th, UMass Amherst Chancellor Robert Holub and Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno welcomed invited guests to a construction kick off event for the new design center in Springfield's historic Court Square.

Michael DiPasquale, Director of the design center speaks with a reporter about the 4 current UMass Amherst studios collaborating with the City of Springfield planning department through the new design studio. DiPasquale is also the Director of the Citizen Planning Collaborative, a UMass Amherst Extension program, and a faculty member in the Department of Regional Planning.

Step Afrika! performs for 500 Springfield elementary school students

On February 5th, 500 Springfield public school students from 5 different schools packed Old First Church in an event celebrating Stepping and the Sankofa Youth Reach Stepping program. Critically acclaimed Step Afrika! from Washington DC, performed and spoke on the power of education and self expression. The three schools involved in the Sankofa Youth Reach Stepping Program; Gerena, Rebecca Johnson, and Zanetti, performed what they learned to a cheering student crowd. Springfield Mayor, Domenic Sarno was there to welcome students along with John Mullin, Chair of the Greater Springfield/UMass Amherst Partnership and Dean of the Graduate School at UMass Amherst.