Union Station kicks off phase 1

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - On Tuesday, Springfield officially begins it's transformation into a hub of regional transportation, which city officials say means more jobs and revenue.

The plan centers around the old Union Station building, and on Tuesday its first phase of redevelopment will be launched.

When the project is complete, Union Station will be a hub of regional transportation for the Northeast corridor.

It'll be home to local and inter-city buses, a commuter rail, as well as taxi, bicycle, and pedestrian service.

The transformation will take about two years and cost $78 million dollars, but city officials say it'll bring people to the city and boost the local economy.

Millions in federal and state grant money has been set aside to help pay for the project.

The 86 year-old building began to go into decline in the 1950's, and closed for good in the early 1970's.

On Tuesday at 2:00PM, Governor Deval Patrick, Mayor Domenic Sarno, Congressman Richard Neal, and other state and local officials will be at the station to launch the redevelopment.

Phase one of redevelopment includes renovating the terminal building and taking down the old baggage building.