Springfield—like many mid-size Northeastern cities, e.g., Hartford, Albany, and New Haven—from the 1950s to the 1970s, razed a significant number of historic commercial buildings in the name of urban renewal. In 1961, this included Unity Church, the first building designed by the young Henry Hobson Richardson. Springfield's Metro Center remains more aesthetically cohesive than many its peer cities; however, as elsewhere, the city currently features a patchwork of parking lots and grand old buildings. Current efforts are underway to improve the cohesion of Springfield's Metro Center, including the completed Main Street and State Street Corridor improvement projects, the upcoming $70 million renovation to Springfield's 1926 Union Station and the renovation of the Epiphany Tower on State Street into a new hotel. New constructions include the architecturally award-winning, $57 million Moshe Safdie-designed Federal Building on State Street.
springfield—like many mid-size northeastern cities eg hartford albany and new haven—from the 1950s to the 1970s razed a significant number of historic commercial buildings in the name of urban renewal in 1961 this included unity church the first building designed by the young henry hobson richardson springfield's metro center remains more aesthetically cohesive than many its peer cities; however as elsewhere the city currently features a patchwork of parking lots and grand old buildings current efforts are underway to improve the cohesion of springfield's metro center including the completed main street and state street corridor improvement projects the upcoming $70 million renovation to springfield's 1926 union station and the renovation of the epiphany tower on state street into a new hotel new constructions include the architecturally award-winning $57 million moshe safdie-designed federal building on state street