Washington, DC
Forty years ago on June 23, 1977, I stood in the Grand Concourse of Springfield Union Station in front of hundreds of friends and supporters. It was there, underneath the marble-faced clock, amidst the crumbling walls, and with electricity brought in from a neighboring building thanks to IBEW Local 7, that I announced two things – my intention to run for Springfield City Council and my vow to rehabilitate Springfield Union Station.
While the former declaration was immediately successful and I rose through the ranks from City Councilor to Mayor to Congressman, I will be the first to admit that renovating the historic structure on Frank B. Murray Street may have taken longer than originally anticipated. However, this project and my promise have never strayed from vision. Over the course of my career, I have held steadfast in my belief that this building would not meet the wrecking ball. And I am thrilled that I have been able to keep that campaign promise I made many years ago.
Now, the grand opening weekend is upon us and this once dormant, ninety year old structure has been brought back to life.
I am sure we all have our own memories of Springfield Union Station. In its heyday going to the train station was a social engagement. It was where you went to get your haircut, pick up the newspaper, and even a cup of coffee. My favorite area to visit as a child was the soda fountain. There was always something to do and see, and the hustle and bustle of people coming and going was exciting. The sheer amplitude of the building always impressed me.
I remember my first train trip from Springfield Union Station. It was on October 10, 1960. My ragtag group of friends on the KV Tigers had just become the Daily News Sandlot champions for the 10-12 year old team and as a celebration, we took the train into New York City to see the Yankees play. It was the last game of the season and they were victorious over the Boston Red Sox 8-7. While the game was full of excitement and the stadium left me awestruck, the train ride was really the greatest part and what stayed with me all these years later. Simply walking through Springfield Union Station with my own train ticket in hand, finally one of the passengers I had watched with envy left me with a permanent smile. When our team won once again in 1962, I couldn’t wait to get on the train once more.
The building closed its doors in 1973 as other modes of transportation became more popular and shifts in populations to more rural areas took place. Since that time, a new plan for Springfield Union Station took shape. Over four decades later, a new sustainable intermodal transportation hub now stands in its place ready to welcome visitors once again.
With the addition of twelve trains running north and south beginning in Spring 2018, PVTA and Peter Pan Bus Lines transferring their operations to the station, and numerous vendors and businesses making the move into the building, I am confident that Springfield Union Station will be a bustling arena once more.
