West Springfield residents: 150 Front St. mill is a 'dead tree' that needs to be reborn

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Photo by Christopher Goudreau

WEST SPRINGFIELD – The former mill at 150 Front St. is not the most popular place in town. But local leaders and a team of economic development experts are working to transform it, using the ideas of residents who compared it to a used car and a dead tree.

At a public meeting Thursday night, researchers from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst hosted a brainstorming session that served as the final piece of a rejuvenation puzzle for the former Southworth Paper Co. site.

Built in 1839 and expanded a few decades later, the multi-level site is at least 75,000 square feet and includes several buildings. Three companies operate out of the old mill now, but if some people in town get their way, it will become a business and residential complex, a recreational destination, an economic engine to drive the town toward renaissance.

"We have in front of us some great opportunity," said Mayor Edward C. Sullivan. "It's very exciting."

Allyson Manuel, a research associate with UMass Amherst's Center for Economic Development, said a major strength of the area is that it lies along the Westfield River. One group said that was a potential problem because it could flood; another said a bridge should be built to connect the town to Agawam.

Nevertheless, Manuel said, "The town is surrounded by water. You almost never see it. We really want to make the river a draw."

At this point, some residents said they find hypodermic needles in the parking lots, and teenagers are known to cause trouble there. Some countered that point, saying that only occurs because the site is not developed.

A draft report is due within weeks, then the UMass team will "create a workable program that can jumpstart this almost immediately," said John R. Mullin, the economic development center's co-director. There are components that will be implemented over the course of 90 days, including the installation of high-speed internet capability.

Frank McIntyre, who owns the oldest part of the building, said the effort has his full support.

Mullin said the site could fit light manufacturing operations, like companies that create "value heavy and weight light" products that "can fit in the back of a FedEx truck." He also suggested looking to Eastworks, a former mill building in Easthampton that now hosts housing and studios for artists, restaurants, businesses and even a branch of the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

"There's a wide range. Some people still think that old mills can house heavy manufacturing again," he said. He added that most towns that revitalize their empty mills want to add a brewery.

Mullin promised that no matter what happens, it will be cost-effective and funded, at least in part, by grants and tax credits.

"It's not being used to its fullest potential," said Manuel. "Why not use these buildings that are already there for the things that you want?"

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