Posts by DIFDESIGN
Water Park Plans Bring Palmer Property Back into Focus
More than five years after Palmer residents rejected a casino proposal for a huge tract of land just off Turnpike exit 8, the property is back in the news, this time as the planned site of a $650 million water park, resort spa, and sports complex. It’s the most basic tenet in commercial real estate.…
Read MoreSSO Strives to Improve Outreach, Visibility in Community
As the Springfield Symphony Orchestra prepares to kick off its 75th season on Sept. 22 with “Gershwin, Copland, and Bernstein,” it faces a host of challenges shared by most orchestras its size, especially a changing, shrinking base of corporate support and a need to make its audiences younger. Susan Beaudry, the SSO’s executive director, says…
Read MoreDress for Success ‘Breaking Down the Barriers’ Event to Focus on Domestic Violence
Dress for Success Western Massachusetts will host “Breaking Down the Barriers,” its second annual half-day conference with a focus on domestic violence, its impact on women in the workforce, and new legislation affecting both survivors and their employers. The event will be held on Thursday, Oct. 11 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Naismith…
Read MoreWill it happen? MGM Springfield sees ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ for Court Square housing project
MGM Springfield officials, meeting with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission this week, raised hope that the long-delayed renovation of a vacant, historic block building at Court Square could become a reality. MGM Springfield has been considering an investment of $11 million toward the redevelopment costs of the building at 13-31 Elm St. as part of its commitment…
Read MorePalmer celebrates new emergency department at Baystate Wing Hospital (photos)
The community celebrated the new $17.2 million, 17,800-square-foot Emergency Department at Baystate Wing Hospital on Friday with a ceremony attended by about 200 that included the organization’s leadership along with local, state and national political leaders. The facility is scheduled to open for patients Tuesday at 5 a.m. “This is a happy day,” Baystate Health…
Read MoreBig E sending free shuttle buses to Union Station to meet CTrail trains
The Big E is offering a free shuttle van that meets CTrail Hartford Line trains at Union Station on Saturdays and Sundays. The Connecticut Department of Transportation, which operates CTrail passenger service, will be at Big E this year, handing out Hartford Line literature and answering questions from a table in the Connecticut Building on…
Read MoreSimulator teaches Smith Vocational students about dangers of distracted driving
This week, about 75 students at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School are learning the dangers of distracted driving firsthand while being asked to send a text, take a Snapchat video or plug in their phone and put on music while using a driving simulator. The simulator, called Distractology, was set up in a mobile…
Read MoreAndy Yee, Peter Picknelly and team behind The Fort in Springfield buy McLadden’s Irish pubs in Northampton, Connecticut
From scorpion bowls to Wiener schnitzel to bangers and mash. Restaurateur Andy Yee and his partners at the Student Prince Cafe and The Fort Dining Room — Peter Picknelly and father-and-son business consultants Michael K. Vann and Kevin B. Vann — have purchased the McLadden’s Irish Publick House chain and its four locations: Northampton at…
Read MoreFollowing ‘successful’ grand opening, MGM Springfield lands permanent operations certificate from state
Commission members and executive staff praised the opening days of the casino including traffic control and MGM working to meet all license requirements. “It appears we had a successful opening, which might have looked easy but was anything but,” said Edward R. Bedrosian Jr., the commission’s executive director. “It was the result of a lot…
Read MoreHolyoke Mall getting Round1 Bowling & Amusement
Round1 Bowling & Amusement will open early next year at Holyoke Mall, management said Thursday. It’ll be the second Massachusetts location for Round1, following one in Taunton at Silver City Galleria. A Saugus location was planned but not built, according to published reports. Holyoke’s Round1 will be on the lower level above Cafe Square in 51,642 square…
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