Springfield wins 'Preserve America' designation

By Peter Goonan

07/15/2008- The Republican

 SPRINGFIELD - Local officials are hoping to secure a $150,000 grant for new information signs at the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, made possible by the city being designated one of the nation's newest "Preserve America" communities.

Samalid M. Hogan, project manager for the city's Planning and Economic Development Office, said competitive grants are available for amounts from $20,000 to $250,000 from the federal government under the Preservation America Grants Program.

In 2008, nearly $7.5 million will be awarded, officials said.
On Monday, city officials announced that Springfield has become the 16th community in Massachusetts designated as a Preserve America community by first lady Laura Bush. No other community in the region is listed, while Worcester and Lowell are among the other designees.

If the city is chosen for the preservation grant, Springfield Technical Community College will provide matching funds including cash, in-kind services, and a signage survey and assessment already conducted, Hogan said.

The armory, established in 1794 by George Washington, abuts the community college at State and Federal streets.

The city's application for Preserve America designation highlighted its many historic sites and assets including the armory and the Quadrangle museums, Hogan said.

Laura Bush, as the honorary chairwoman of the Preserve America initiative, said in a prepared statement that the program and related grants "provides strong incentives for continued preservation of our cultural and national heritage resources."

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said the city "obviously has a great deal of heritage worthy of preservation and we are thrilled to have this designation."

The program is designed to recognize communities that protect and celebrate their heritage, and use their historic assets for economic development and community revitalization, according to program guidelines.