|
With a nickname like the City of Firsts, you can bet that Springfield Massachusetts
has a lot of history behind it. Unfortunately, recent history has not been as
kind to Springfield as residents would have liked. A declining manufacturing
industry has led to a major slump for the city, a slump which has resulted in
several pressing issues for citizens and leadership alike.
One of those issues is the vast difference in the lifestyles of Springfield
citizens from one part of town to the next. While life looks fairly pleasant
in the suburbs, downtown Springfield is in a steady state of decline and decay
from which more and more people are seeking an exit. What was once a clean and
vital city in the United States is now degenerating into a collection of old
buildings where the major business sectors are pawn shops which specialize in
giving cash for jewelry.
The steady decline of the downtown core has only made things worse for Springfield
in general. Unwilling to operate in such conditions, major companies such as
Milton Bradley and WF Young have left for gentler locations, where R & B
hip hop music does not necessarily mean imminent danger. Citizens have followed
the major companies, exiting the downtown core in droves and causing real estate
prices in the area to plummet.
Of course, all those people have to go somewhere, and that somewhere has been
on the outskirts of Springfield itself. The northeastern part of the city has
become the largest retail section of town. Here, you can still find safe malls
and specialty shops. It is where most citizens go when they are looking for
Sophia Tolli dresses, Versace suits, and other specialty items.
The outskirts are also where you will find the valuable properties in the Springfield
area, with the downtown areas now decrepit. The general Springfield area has
just under 700,000 residents, which is why the city has not fallen apart altogether.
The main hope for the entire region lies in the Knowledge Corridor, the partnership
project of Springfield and Hartford. This area is home to the second largest
concentration of higher learning institutions in the entire New England area.
It is a bit of a haven for those Springfield residents more interested in natural
baby products than in rap music.
While city leadership and citizens hope and strive for a turnaround in the
downtown Springfield situation, it might be a bit of a tough go. Retail opportunities
are tending more towards the Internet than ever before; you can find everything
from a women's online clothing store to virtual bookstores from the comfort
of your home. Without the backing of major industries in revitalization efforts
that kind of competition may stymie any attempts to revitalize the area.
|