Springfield city, Massachusetts: Information from Answers.com

In the 2000 census, the city population was 154,082. It is the third largest city in Massachusetts and fourth largest in New England (behind Boston, Providence, and Worcester). According to a July 1, 2003 Census estimate, there were 154,157 people in the city. Springfield holds two nicknames — The City of Homes and The City of Firsts.

Historically the first Springfield in the United States, it is also the largest city with the name of Springfield. It is also the largest city on the Connecticut River (though the Hartford, Connecticut metro area population is larger) and the largest city in Western Massachusetts and the Pioneer Valley.

Springfield has a notable history as the home to Theodore Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, and as the birthplace of basketball, invented by James Naismith at Springfield College. It is home to the Basketball Hall of Fame and the Springfield Falcons hockey team. It is also holds the western world's largest collection of Chinese cloisonné at the G.W. Vincent Smith Art Museum.

In an economic and cultural partnership with Hartford, Connecticut, the Springfield-Hartford region constitutes New England's Knowledge Corridor - the second-largest concentration of institutions of higher learning in New England, after Greater Boston.

History

Main Street, looking north, 1905

The area was originally settled by the Pocomtuc Indians. Springfield was founded in 1636 by William Pynchon, the then assistant treasurer of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The town was named after the village near Chelmsford, Essex in England where he was born. The location on the floodplains of the Connecticut River included soil suitable for farming. Long, narrow plots of farmland were created, extending out from the river. Over time, parts of the settlement were sectioned off to form neighboring towns, including West Springfield.

Springfield remained a small, working town when in 1676, during King Philip's War, its security was threatened. The leader of the Wampanoag Indian tribe, Wamsutta, died shortly after being questioned at gunpoint by Plymouth colonists. Soon thereafter, the war began. Wamsutta's brother and successor, Metacomet, known as Philip to the colonists, started war with the colony to avenge his brother's death; the tribe attacked Springfield and destroyed more than half the town.

In 1845, the Wason Manufacturing Company, one of the earliest makers of railway passenger coach equipment in the United States, was established in Springfield.

Springfield is known as the City of Homes, a nickname given to it in the late 19th century due to its many Victorian mansions, as well as multitudes of single-family houses inhabited by workers.

In 1865, the Gilbert and Barker Manufacturing Company was formed by Charles Gilbert and John Barker. The company produced gasoline pumps in Springfield until moving to West Springfield, Massachusetts in 1912. The company became Gilbarco and moved to Greensboro, North Carolina in 1965. [1]

In 1893, two Springfielders named Charles and J. Frank Duryea built the first ever gasoline powered commercial car in Springfield. The Duryea Motor Wagon was put on the streets of Springfield on September 20 1893. This part of the city was later annexed by Chicopee, Massachusetts.

Indian Motorcycles were manufactured in Springfield from 1901 to 1953. Chief and Scout models were the best sellers from the 1920's to the 1950's. The Hendee Manufacturing Company, Indian's parent company, also manufactured other products such as aircraft engines, bicycles, boat motors and air conditioners.

From 1921 to 1931 a Rolls-Royce factory in Springfield built nearly 3000 Silver Ghosts and Phantoms before production was halted by the Great Depression. [2]

Granville Brothers Aircraft was an aircraft manufacturer at the Springfield Airport in operation from 1929 until their bankruptcy in 1934. They are best known for the trophy and speed record holding Senior Sportster series of racing aircraft.

In 1936, Springfield suffered its most devastating natural disaster. The Connecticut River flooded, reaching record heights, inundating the South End and the North End (before the flood, houses — some of Springfield's finest — stood where Interstate 91 now runs). Damages were estimated at $200,000,000 in 1936 dollars. This flood occurred at the height of the Great Depression; Western Massachusetts and Springfield had already suffered greatly. The water damage was repaired after WPA money was made available to Springfield. However, large riverfront portions of the North and South Ends no longer exist.

Two years later, water hit Springfield again. The New England Hurricane of 1938 came up the east coast of the United States on September 21, 1938, flooding the Connecticut Valley once again.

Springfield Armory

During the 1770s, George Washington selected Springfield as the site of the National Armory. By the 1780s the Arsenal was a major ammunition and weapons depot. In 1787 poor farmers from western Massachusetts, led by Daniel Shays, tried to seize the arms at Springfield. This came to be known as Shays' Rebellion, and was a key event leading to the Federal Constitutional Convention. Those involved in the rebellion planned to use the weapons to force the closure of the Commonwealth and county courts, which were seizing their lands for debt.

The term Springfield Rifle may refer to any sort of arms produced by the Springfield Armory for the United States armed forces.

Birthplace of basketball

The city of Springfield is most commonly known as the birthplace of basketball. In 1891, James Naismith, a physical education teacher in Springfield, invented the sport at the Springfield YMCA, now Springfield College, to fill the gap between the football and baseball seasons. The sport quickly became popular worldwide. On February 17, 1968, The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame was opened on the Springfield College campus which was replaced by a larger facility on the east bank of the Connecticut river in 1985. In 2002 a newer facility for the Hall of Fame opened next to the existing site. Shaped like a basketball and illuminated at night, it has become an interesting landmark to the cityscape.

Geography

Springfield is located at 42°6′45″N, 72°32′51″W (42.112411, -72.547455).¹ According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 86.0 km² (33.2 mi²). 83.1 km² (32.1 mi²) of it is land and 2.8 km² (1.1 mi²) of it (3.31%) is water.

Springfield sits on the bank of the Connecticut River, just a few miles north of the border between Massachusetts and Connecticut. Along the river, the city is fairly low and flat. Moving outward from the river, the terrain becomes more hilly, most prominently along State Street and Belmont Avenue.

Springfield is typically divided up into seventeen distinct neighborhoods. They are, as defined by the city Election commission: Bay, Boston Road, Brightwood, East Forest Park, East Springfield, Forest Park, Indian Orchard, Liberty Heights, McKnight, Memorial Square, Metro Center, Old Hill, Pine Point, Six Corners, Sixteen Acres, South End, and Upper Hill. Their exact boundaries are disputed by Census data, civic wards, precinct borders, zip codes, and the opinions of the city's citizens. Many of the neighborhoods are subdivided again according to landmarks or voting precincts. Some names are unofficial, but are used by area residents nonetheless. For example, the Hollywood section in the South End actually refers to a housing complex, and Mason Square is the central intersection in the McKnight neighborhood.

Forest Park lies in the southwestern part of the city, along the border with affluent Longmeadow. The park is one of the largest municipal parks in the United States. The city shares borders with the towns of Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, Wilbraham, and Ludlow and the city of Chicopee. The cities of Agawam and West Springfield are across the Connecticut River. The city also owns Cobble Mountain Reservoir, its water supply, located in the towns of Blandford, Granville, and Russell, at the western edge of Hampden County. It also owns Franconia Golf Course, located mostly in East Longmeadow.

Climate

Springfield's climate is warm and humid during the summer when temperatures tend to be in the 80s and very cold during the winter when temperatures tend to be in the 30s.

The warmest month of the year is July with an average maximum temperature of 85.50 °F (29.72 °C), while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of 6.90 °F (-13.9 °C).

Temperature variations between night and day tend to be moderate during summer with a difference that can reach 28 °F and moderate during winter with an average difference of 25 °F.

The annual average precipitation at Springfield is 61.65 in (156 cm). Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is May with an average rainfall of 6.11 in (15 cm).^[1]

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.	%±
1830		—
1840		61.9%
1850		7.1%
1860		29.2%
1870		75.7%
1880		24.9%
1890		32.5%
1900		40.5%
1910		43.3%
1920		45.8%
1930		15.7%
1940		-0.2%
1950		8.6%
1960		7.4%
1970		-6.1%
1980		-7.1%
1990		3.1%
2000		-1.8%

As of the 2000 census, there were 152,082 people, 57,130 households, and 36,391 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,829.3/km² (4,737.7/mi²). There are nearly 2 million residents in the greater Springfield-Hartford metro region. In Springfield proper, there were 61,172 housing units at an average density of 735.8/km² (1,905.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 56.11% White, 1.92% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 21.01% African American, 0.37% Native American, 16.45% from other races, and 4.04% from two or more races. 27.18% of the population were Hispanic of any race.

There were 57,130 households out of which 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.7% were married couples living together, 23.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.3% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the city the population was spread out with 28.9% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31.7 years. For every 100 females there were 89 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,417, and the median income for a family was $36,285. Males had a median income of $32,396 versus $26,536 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,232. 19.3% of families and 23.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.3% of those under age 18 and 11.7% of those age 65 or over.

Springfield retains a strong middle class and high homeownership rates in many neighborhoods. These strong middle class neighborhoods, and the wide variety of architecture in the housing stock, have been highlighted in news accounts and on websites such as Choose Springfield.

Government

See also: List of Springfield Mayors

Springfield became a city on May 25, 1852, by decree of the Massachusetts Legislature. Springfield, like all municipalities in Massachusetts enjoys limited home rule. Prior to the Control Board, Springfield's government had the power to establish commissions, pass city ordinances, set tax rates, write a budget, and other miscellaneous operations specifically relating to the city. The current city charter, in effect since 1959, uses a "strong mayor" government with most power concentrated in the mayor as in Boston and elsewhere. The mayor representing the city's executive branch, presents the budget, appoints commissioners and department heads, and in general runs the city. The current mayor, Charles V. Ryan, was also mayor during the 1960s.

The City Council, consisting of nine members, is the city's legislative branch. Each of the members are elected at-large, along with the mayor, every odd numbered year. It passes the budget, authorizes bond sales, holds hearings, create departments and commissions, and amends zoning laws. The city council appoints a president who becomes acting mayor should a vacancy occur in the office.

The mayor's office and city council chambers are in city hall part of the Municipal Group in downtown Springfield. The Finance Control Board meets there as well.

Current Springfield City Council 2006-2007
James J. Ferrera III William T. Foley Rosemarie Mazza-Moriarty Timothy J. Rooke Domenic J. Sarno Bruce W. Stebbins Jose Tosado Kateri Walsh, President Bud L. Williams

Recently, efforts have been made to provide each of the city's eight wards a seat in the city council, instead of the current at-large format. There would still be about three at-large seats under this format. The primary argument for this has been that City Councilors currently live in only four of the city's wards. Thus far, the initiative has failed to pass the City Council twice. If ever passed, it would still need the approval of the Massachusetts legislature and the Governor. Many critics argue that the slim Caucasian majority in Springfield keeps the city council out of touch with the needs of Springfield's large black and Hispanic populations. Striking against that argument is that nothing deters blacks and Hispanics from running for office, that the current minority representation on the Council would not increase under ward representationn as proposedand does ward representation guarantee does not guarentee any such increases. Some citizens believe that the problem might be corrected by greater voter turnout among blacks and Hispanics. The plaintiffs hoped to postpone the 2005 municipal election pending the judge's ruling, but the motion was denied. The case itself is ongoing, however further action by the Court has been stayed pending action by the state legislature to adopt of the proposed homerule amendment.

Courts

The city has no judicial branch itself, but rather uses the Springfield based state courts, which include Springfield district court and Hampden County Superior Court. The Federal District Court also hears cases regularly in Springfield.

Education

Public schools

Springfield also has the third largest school district in Massachusetts operating 38 elementary schools, six high schools, six middle schools (6-8) and seven specialized schools. The city School Committee recently passed a new neighborhood school program to improve schools and reduce the growing busing costs associated with the current plan. The plan faces stiff opposition from parents and minority groups who claim that the schools are still unequal. The city is required under a 1970s court order to balance school racially which had necessitated busing. However, since then, the city and the school's population has shifted and many of the neighborhoods are more integrated, calling into question the need for busing at all. Though the plan is likely to be challenged in court, the state Board of Education decided it did not have authority to review it, sidestepping the volatile issue while effectively blessing it.

Private schools

The city also has several private schools. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield operates five Catholic elementary schools in the city and many more elsewhere in the diocese. The dioceses also runs Cathedral High School. Cathedral High School is also the most prominent Catholic high school in the area. Also located in Springfield is The MacDuffie School, a nonsectarian school founded in 1890. A non-denominational private Christian school also exists in Springfield. Pioneer Valley Christian School is located in the Sixteen Acres neighborhood. The school educates students through a comprehensive Christian curriculum from kindergarten through high school.

Higher education

Springfield is home to three 4-year colleges: Springfield College, Western New England College and American International College. On the grounds of the former Springfield Armory is Springfield Technical Community College. The greater Springfield area is home to nine (9) Colleges: Elms College, Westfield State College, Amherst College, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, Bay Path College, Hampshire College, University of Massachusetts at Amherst and Holyoke Community College.

Economy

For nearly six decades, Springfield has been slumping economically, due largely to a decline in manufacturing. Many major companies that maintained factories in the city closed their facilities, moving to the suburbs or out of New England all together. In 1968, the Springfield Armory was closed by the Pentagon. Another large manufacturer, American Bosch, shuttered its doors in 1986. In 2005, this exodus continued, with the closure of the Danaher Tool forge, maker of Craftsman tools. Many Springfield residents moved to the suburbs to escape inner-city crime and urban decay. Because manufacturing had been a large part of Springfield's economy, it proved difficult to fill the void with a service-based economy, more so than in similar cities with more diversified economies.

Local department stores, Forbes & Wallace and Steigers, shuttered in 1974 and 1994, respectively. Johnsons Bookstore closed a few years later, though this was due less to a decline in retail downtown than competition from chain bookstores, such as Barnes and Noble. Many banks headquartered in Springfield closed or merged with larger banks, (in fact, all but Hampden Bank, which remains the only Springfield-based bank.) A downtown revitalization project known as Baystate West, was completed in 1973, but over the years it too became empty. The construction contributed to Springfield's somewhat modern 1970s-era skyline. The Eastfield Mall, built on Springfield's outskirts in 1969, proved more successful. However, it suffered a decline after the Holyoke Mall was opened in the 1980s. Over the past five years, the mall has rebounded; consequently, Springfield's largest retail area is now on Boston Road, on the northeastern edge of the city, rather than downtown.

Control Board

In July 2004, the Massachusetts General Court created, in response to the city's request for additional aid, a state-run Finance Control Board (FCB) to resolve an escalating financial crisis. The fiscal problems had already resulted in wage freezes, cuts in city services, fee increases, and layoffs. As of July 2004, the FCB consisted of the mayor (Charles Ryan), the City Council president Dominic Sarno, and three appointees of Governor Mitt Romney, Alan LeBovidge, Commissioner of the Department of Revenue, Michael "Jake" Jacobson and Thomas Trimarco, later appointed State Secretary of Administration and Finance and replaced on the FCB by Thomas Gloster III.

The FCB operates under the overall direction of Secretary of Finance and Administration then-Eric Kriss, now Leslie Kirwan.The FCB legislation included a state loan of $52 million to be paid back with future city tax receipts. A $20 million grant was originally included, but then-House Speaker Thomas Finneran killed that section, fearing it would invite fiscal irresponsibility among other municipalities. Initial estimates placed the city's operating deficit at over $40 million annually.

The original FCB bill filed by Governor Romney included a suspension of Chapter 150E, the state law that defines the collective bargaining process for public employees (state employees are not covered by federal labor laws). Opposition from the unions killed that section.

City and state officials disagree over the causes. The State blamed overspending relative to income by the city. Municipal officials blame dwindling local aid during the statewide financial crisis in 2003.^[2]

As of 2006, the Control Board has balanced the City's budget. The City, prior to the FCB, had frozen all wage increases for employees for several years, resulting in substantial litigation with employee unions. Their suits claim that the wage freeze violated their contracts and the collective bargaining law itself and was done without proper legal authority. The City claimed that Chapter 656 of the Acts of 1989 authorized and directed the City to do so. As of June 30, 2007 all 27 union contracts have been resolved. Teachers scored a victory in court when Judge Constance Sweeney ruled the wage freeze implemented by former Mayor Michael Albano to be illegal. (The control board's freezes were ruled to be not at issue, but the judge suggested they have less legal footing). A sum of $2.1 million was awarded to them. The city appealed, however the contract was resolved and the rulings and issue made moot.^[3]

Until the FY2007 budget, city residents had not experienced any direct impacts by the control board's actions. In the '07 budget, the FCB approved a $90 trash fee. Controversy and outrage erupted city-wide over the fee, however it is projected to bring in $4.5 million and balance the city's budget. Despite protests from residents, and other city and state elected officials, the FCB directed that it be implemented in October, 2006.

In November, 2006 Judge Constance Sweeney, following a law suit by city residents, issued a temporary injunction against the city collecting its trash fee, citing the reasonableness of the plaintiffs' argument. The plaintiffs contended that the fee was in fact a tax, because of the way it was being implemented which would be a violation of the state constitution. Sweeney ordered the city to inform residents not to pay the fee pending a full hearing, date to be set December 4.^[4] Ultimately both the city and the plaintiffs appeared to prevail. The City modified its process and will implement the fee in 2007, making it clear to residents that use of the City service is optional. Proof of alternative means of trash disposal must be provided, however. Recycling collection will remain free.

The FCB has a staff of four: Executive Director Stephen Lisauskas, Chief Development Officer David B. Panagore, Executive Assistant Ann-Marie Mahnken and Receptionist Candace McKenna.

In early 2007, Gov. Deval Patrick announced the board will be extended for at least another year instead of expiring in June as planned, and later that spring announced that he would be replacing the appointed members. At the June 28, 2007 meeting Governor Patrick's new appointees, Chris Gabrieli, Robert Nunes, and Springfield resident James O'S. Morton held their first meeting along with Mayor Charles Ryan and City Council President Kateri Walsh. Chris Gabrelli was appointed chairman at this meeting and the Board voted to extend its term until June 30, 2009.

Companies

Big Y Foods, Inc. — Corporate headquarters on Roosevelt Avenue.
Friendly Ice Cream Corporation — Founded in Springfield, currently headquartered Wilbraham, Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company — Founded in 1851. MassMutual in the largest Fortune 500 company based in Massachusetts. The corporate headquarters are on State Street.
TD Banknorth — Massachusetts branch is headquartered in downtown Springfield.
Smith & Wesson — Founded in 1852, Smith & Wesson is America's largest producer of handguns. The company currently maintains its corporate headquarters on Roosevelt Avenue in Springfield and is one of the city's more prestigious employers.
Indian Manufacturing Company — America's first motorcycle brand, was founded by George M. Hendee and C. Oscar Hedstrom in Springfield in 1901; two years before Harley Davidson Motor Company.

Culture

The Dr. Seuss Memorial and Museum of Fine Arts at The Quadrangle

Springfield was and remains, in many respects, the cultural center of Western Massachusetts since its founding in the early 1600s. Because of the distance from Boston then (and to a degree now) many feel that the city and region are ignored by the powers that be in the eastern parts of the state. Said powers are periodically accused of lumping Springfield and its formerly industrial neighbors together with the rest of the agricultural areas west of Worcester.

Some have observed, sarcastically, that Springfield maintains a better relationship with Hartford than with Boston. Springfield is physically closer to Hartford, shares a major interstate highway, and Bradley International Airport. Sometimes they are considered twin cities.

Springfield retains strong ethnic characteristics seen in the variety of restaurants available in all parts of the city. Remnants of the city's industrial glory are best represented in its museums at The Quadrangle and its library system. Though both have suffered funding cuts in recent years, they remain well-respected and sizable considering the relatively small population. Springfield also has its own well-respected orchestra.

Points of interest

The Quadrangle, a grouping of museums and sculpture gardens, remains a testament to the city's nineteenth-century grandeur.
Bright Nights is a cultural attraction during the Christmas season. Forest Park is decorated with lights in the form of various characters and scenes, some of which are animated, including some from the works of Springfield native Dr. Seuss. Tourists drive their cars along a meandering path through the park.
CityStage and Symphony Hall offer concerts, off-Broadway productions, children's programming, and guest speakers.
St. Michael's Cathedral, Springfield
Basketball Hall of Fame
Worthington street the Entertainment District

Media

Newspaper

Springfield's largest local newspaper is The Springfield Republican. It was formerly the Springfield Union-News & Sunday Republican. Smaller papers such as The Reminder and the Valley Advocate also serve Greater Springfield.

Foreign language newspapers include Predvestnik (a Russian language newspaper) and El Pueblo Latino, which serves the Hispanic community, among others.

Television

Major television stations originating from the city include WWLP (NBC), WGGB (ABC), WSHM (CBS) and WGBY (PBS). Only the PBS, CBS and ABC stations broadcast from studios in the city proper. WWLP's studios are in nearby Chicopee a former section of Springfield.

Also in the Springfield area are Univision WHTX, which simulcasts WUVN in Hartford, Connecticut, and Telemundo WDMR, which simulcasts WRDM in Hartford. Other television stations serving Springfield originate from Hartford, Connecticut. It also offers a low-powered cable only CW station WBQT.

In January 2004, the Hartford CBS affiliate, WFSB, began operating a CBS station, WSHM, aimed at the Springfield, Massachusetts market. WSHM began its own newscasts at 6 and 11 p.m. in October 2005, broadcast out of its downtown Springfield home.

Radio

Callsign	Frequency	City/town	Network affiliation / owner	Format
WAIC	91.9 FM	Springfield	American International College	Public Radio
WARE	1250 AM	Ware	Success Signal Broadcasting	Oldies
WAQY	102.1 FM	East Longmeadow/Springfield	Saga Communications of New England	Classic Rock
WCCH	103.5 FM	Holyoke	Holyoke Community College	Public Radio
WEIB	106.3 FM	Northampton/Springfield	Cutting Edge Broadcasting	Smooth Jazz
WFCR	88.5 FM	Amherst	University of Massachusetts, Amherst	Public Radio
WHYN	93.1 FM	Springfield	Clear Channel Communications	Hot Adult Contemporary (Top 40 on HD2)
WHYN	560 AM	Springfield	Clear Channel Communications	News/Talk
WLCQ	99.7 FM	Feeding Hills	THE Q	Christian Rock/Pop Music
WLZX	99.3 FM	Northampton/Springfield	Saga Communications of New England	"Everything That Rocks"
WMAS	94.7 FM	Springfield	Citadel Broadcasting Corporation	Adult contemporary (Country on HD2)
WMAS	1450 AM	Springfield	Citadel Broadcasting Corporation	Oldies
WNEK	105.1 FM	Springfield	Western New England College	Public Radio
WNNZ	640 AM	Westfield	Clear Channel Communications	Public Radio (programmed by WFCR)
WPKX	97.9 FM	Springfield	Clear Channel Communications	Country (Americana on HD2)
WPNI	1430 AM	Amherst	Pamal Broadcastring	Public Radio (temporary simulcast of WUMB-FM in Boston)
WRNX	100.9 FM	Amherst/Springfield	Clear Channel Communications	AAA
WSCB	89.9 FM	Springfield	Springfield College	Public Radio
WTCC	90.7 FM	Springfield	Springfield Technical Community College	Public Radio
WVEI	105.5 FM	Easthampton/Springfield	Entercom Communications Corp.	Sports Talk(simulcast of WEEI-AM in Boston)

Transportation

A view of downtown Springfield from I-91.

Springfield is often referred to as the "Crossroads of New England" because of the crossing of major east-west and north-south railroads. While the same railways exist and operate today, the city is also served by a number of Interstate Highways including I-90 (Mass Pike) and I-91, which connect New Haven, Hartford, Holyoke, Northampton, and Vermont to Springfield. One of the few spurs of I-91 in Massachusetts, I-291, runs through the city. It connects I-90 to I-91 since the turnpike does not actually enter the city.

Springfield also has an Amtrak station served by trains destined for New York City, Washington, D.C., Boston, Vermont, and Chicago. Amtrak operates out of its own station facility built into one of the old platforms of the city's long condemned train station on Frank B. Murray St. with an entrance on Lyman street, which lies on the side of the railroad embankment opposite the station.

Plans exist for redevelopment of the city's Union Station into an Intermodal Transportation facility for both Amtrak and bus lines.^{[citation needed]} While significant federal, state, and civic investment has been appropriated for this project, disputes between the owners of the right-of-way and the planners in charge of the project, originally scheduled for completion in 1998, the PVTA, have slowed progress. In 2005, it was revealed that the project and the PVTA had been embroiled in the city's ever-widening corruption probe, throwing its future into question.

Plans also exist for a New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Commuter Rail Line.^[5] As of August 2006, the Connecticut General Assembly has committed $146 million to the project, which is considered only a first step. In order to complete the project, the state of Connecticut must provide further funding, as must the state of Massachusetts if the line is to cross the state line. The line could become operational as soon as 2011.^[6]

Buses running into the city use a facility owned and operated by Peter Pan Bus Lines, located on the corner of Main and Liberty streets. The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority is the regional public transit provider, operating a fleet of buses from the Peter Pan terminal.

The Springfield-Hartford, Connecticut area is served by Bradley International Airport in nearby Windsor Locks, Connecticut. Springfield and Hartford are located 25 miles (40 km) apart with the airport between. Westover Air Reserve Base/Metropolitan Airport in nearby Chicopee, Massachusetts is also adding commercial service with Skybus Airlines.

Notable residents

The Cat in the Hat book cover.

Creighton Williams Abrams Jr., U.S. Army general and Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army (served 1972 - 1974)
Travis Best, National Basketball Association professional basketball player
Nina Blackwood, original MTV VJ and Sirius Satellite Radio DJ.
Edward Boland, U.S. Congressman

Saturday		HI: 95°F / 35°C LO: 67°F / 19°C
Sunday		HI: 87°F / 30°C LO: 68°F / 20°C
Monday		HI: 84°F / 28°C LO: 66°F / 18°C
Tuesday		HI: 85°F / 29°C LO: 60°F / 15°C
Wednesday		HI: 85°F / 29°C LO: 58°F / 14°C