maintaining community character amid progress. “Wholeheartedly we have a really good community base here...You go to the store and you see people you know, there’s a reason people are staying,” she shares. This balance of growth and identity informs all planning, from the upcoming police complex to neighborhood preservation.“We are a city,” Reichelt acknowledges, “but we are a small town still.” A CITY BUILT FOR WHAT’S NEXT West Springfield proves that exceptional quality of life isn’t measured in square miles. This compact city delivers big-city amenities, from wilderness preserves to thriving commercial corridors, while maintaining its small-town character. Forwardthinking investments in infrastructure, education, and community spaces demonstrate leadership’s commitment to sustainable growth. “You can live in a community that has all those small town things that you would want, while everything’s five minutes away. We’re kind of spoiled in that sense 229 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 05 WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx