The first dirt shoveled for construction. From left to right: Congressman John Olver, FTA program manager Kristin Wood, PVTA administrator Mary Macinnes, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, MassDOT’s Thomas Schiavone, Mayor Brian Sullivan and Mass. Senate chief of staff Drew Renfro
WESTFIELD—The PVTA and local politicians broke ground for the construction of the new PVTA transportation pavilion today.
The pavilion, which is being constructed in the Gas Light district, is set to cost $6.4 million. The opening of the pavilion is currently scheduled for March 2017. Those at the groundbreaking included Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Westfield Mayor Brian Sullivan and former congressman John Olver, among others.
“From Westfield’s perspective, it’s the first building going up for the redevelopment program,” PVTA Administrator Mary Macinnes said. “It’s a good location for redevelopment purposes and for us.”
The pavilion is part of the larger Urban Renewal Plan that has been ongoing for the Elm St. area. This is reported to be the first of several buildings being constructed in the plan. Lt. Gov. Polito, who spoke at the event, said that she and the governor were aware of the importance of the construction of this building and the Urban Renewal Plan as a whole.
Mayor Sullivan speaking at groundbreaking ceremony.
“Our administration, because of our roots, is really interested in empowering communities,” Polito said.
The pavilion is being partially sponsored by the Mass. government, in addition to local funds. According to Mayor Sullivan and Polito, the Mass. government provided $1.7 million in funding, which allowed the project to get under way.
Macinnes said that the facility is going to be state-of-the-art, featuring automated card systems, LED signs with up-to-date travel times for buses, as well as modified real-time customer services.
“I believe we’ll be the first to have, via Skype, the ability to have customers who can communicate with customer service,” Macinnes said.
Skype is a video chat service that can be used through computers, tablets and cell phones.
Macinnes also said that the new pavilion will have storage for bicycles for those traveling via the Columbia Rail Trail, in addition to warmer and more comfortable environments for people to wait.
