Brownfields
Success Story
Figure 1: Front Entrance
Credits: EPA
Union Station
Springfield\ Massachusetts
Originally constructed in 1926, Union Station was a major transportation
hub that at one time saw more than 130 passenger trains and 100 mail
trains a day. The station, fondly remembered by older Springfield
residents as a hub of activity, has been revitalized with the help of
Brownfields cleanup and City redevelopment funding. The adjacent Hotel
Charles property, which was also cleaned up with a Brownfields grant,
has been repurposed into a parking garage for the redeveloped Union
Station, The Springfield Redevelopment Authority sought to redevelop
both properties in order to consolidate the Pioneer Valley Transportation
Authority (PVTA), commuter rail, Amtrak, and intercity bus operations
into one hub.
Priming the Property for Redevelopment
Union Station was built to accommodate higher demand for trains in the
greater Springfield region. The original station had a three-story terminal
and a two-story baggage claim. Older residents of Springfield still recall
visiting the station to see family, go to the bustling businesses nearby, or
travel out of the city. The station notably served to welcome and send off
soldiers serving in World War II. In later years, the demographic served by
Union Station shrank as people moved away from city centers and
personal vehicles became more popular. Union Station closed in 1973,
and the vacant property was taken by eminent domain by the Springfield
Redevelopment Authority in 1989.
EPA Grant Recipient:
City of Springfield
Grant Types:
Assessment, Cleanup
Former Uses:
Transit Station
Current Use:
Transit Station including
restaurants and newsstands
Union Station was built to accommodate higher demand for trains in the
greater Springfield region. The original station had a three-story terminal
and a two-story baggage claim. Older residents of Springfield still recall
visiting the station to see family, go to the bustling businesses nearby, or
travel out of the city. The station notably served to welcome and send off
soldiers serving in World War II, In later years, the demographic served by
Union Station shrank as people moved away from city centers and
personal vehicles became more popular. Union Station closed in 1973,
and the vacant property was taken by eminent domain by the Springfield
Redevelopment Authority in 1989.
Figure 2: Lobby Area Credits: EPA
&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection

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Figure 3: Transit Station Waiting Area
Credits: EPA
"Union Station's redevelopment,
after over four decades of closure,
has been a beacon for the City of
Springfield. Winning the 2017
National Phoenix Award was a
tribute to a partnership that could
see the potential and stayed
dedicated to the mission. The City of
Springfield, Springfield
Redevelopment Authority,
MassDevelopment, the
Environmental Protection Agency,
and the leadership of Congressman
Richard E, Neal were all essential in
seeing through this complex
brownfields redevelopment of our
historic train station. We thank them
all for their efforts and today enjoy
the spoils of that work with our
state-of-the-art multimodal transit
facility."
Mayor Dornenic J. Sarno,
City of Springfield
For more information:
Visit the EPA Brownfields website at
www.epa.gov/brownfields or contact
Dorrie Paar, 617-918-1432,
Redevelopment began on Union Station in late 2012, with the bulk of the
construction activity completed during the winter of 2016/2017 and a
grand opening event in June 2017.
Today
The new station is now home to Arntrak, commuter trains, the Pioneer
Valley Transit Authority, and intercity busses. In addition to the transit
authorities that will use the station, the retail space inside includes
restaurants and newsstands. According to the City of Springfield, Union
Station has the potential to leverage 500-1000 permanent jobs. This
collaboration between several state, local, and federal agencies enabled
Union Station to rise again as a premier multimodal transportation center
in the heart of Springfield.
paar. dorriePepa. gov
EPA Brownfields Assessment Grants - Hotel Charles	$203,200
EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant - Hotel Charles	$200,000
EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant - Union Station	$200,000
City of Springfield Cleanup funding	$49,382
Federal funding (including CMAQ funds)	$43,600,000
State funding (including MassDOT, ANF,
EOHED, and MassDevelopment)	$44,700,000
Local Funding	$5,800,000

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