north, south, east, west interstates intersect in West Springfield,” Reichelt adds, which fuels its economic and commuter activity. Celebrating its 250th anniversary in 2024, West Springfield blends urban energy with suburban charm. Commercial hubs like Riverdale and Memorial Avenue give way to quiet residential streets and the 1,500-acre Bear Hole wilderness preserve. The city also boasts the Big E, New England’s largest fair, which draws 1.5 million visitors annually. However, West Springfield remains focused on progress. With its new downtown roundabout, school rebuilds, and planned public safety complex, the city is forging ahead, proving that small size doesn’t limit big ambition. GEOGRAPHIC LANDSCAPE West Springfield’s strategic layout features two primary commercial corridors, Route 5 (Riverdale) and Route 147 (Memorial Avenue), flanked by residential neighborhoods that transition to rural landscapes in the northwest. “Those are the two real commercial districts in West Springfield,” Reichelt states.“As you move northwest, things become residential, lots get larger, it gets more rural.” The city preserves 1,500 acres of wilderness at Bear Hole, its protected watershed to the north, complemented by Mittineague Park’s 300-500 acres of recreational space on its southern border. The Riverdale corridor anchors the regional retail sector, home to major anchors like Home Depot and Costco.“I like to joke that Riverdale itself is the retail hub of Western Mass” Reichelt says, citing its highway accessibility as a key advantage. BUILDING A MODERN WEST SPRINGFIELD West Springfield is executing a comprehensive infrastructure modernization plan that balances functionality with community aesthetics. The recently completed downtown roundabout represents a $3 million investment in revitalization. “I’ve talked for those 10 years about really revitalizing our downtown and making it more of a New England small town feel,” says Reichelt, referencing his 219 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 05 WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA
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