TCI Site Visit
January 1, 2022

Earlier this year, the TA partners met with local community-based organizations including New North Citizen's Council, Deborah Hunt Center, Arise for Social Justice, Way Finders, the City of Springfield Housing & Community Development, and resident advisors. They came together to learn, share, network, and strengthen relations as we journey to advance the goals and objectives of the initiative. Community partners shared their perspectives on the needs, resources, opportunities, and obstacles related to supporting the housing, homelessness, and mental health needs of residents living in Springfield. This is a community-level grant initiative funded by Trinity Health, working to advance racial justice and health equity in Springfield.

By Samantha Hamilton February 26, 2026
This month, Live Well Springfield (LWS) and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) partnered with the City of Springfield to host a listening session on inland flooding. Inland flooding happens when rain overwhelms local drainage systems, for example, when basements flood or when streets and sidewalks turn into rivers and ponds during heavy rain. Participants heard directly from Chris Cignoli, Director of the Springfield Department of Public Works (DPW), about the city's history and infrastructure related to waterways, piping, and flood prevention. Residents gained a deeper understanding of how city systems respond to flooding, what the DPW is responsible for, and the budget constraints the department faces. Chris encouraged residents to contact the city using the local 311 line to report potential flood risks or flooding-related issues, which creates a formal service request that must be investigated. The workshop centered resident voices and explored how flooding from heavy rainfall and the Connecticut River is impacting daily life across Springfield. Residents shared firsthand accounts of flooded basements, eroding yards, blocked storm drains, and chronic street flooding, revealing how widespread and interconnected these challenges are across neighborhoods. Working in small groups, participants mapped the areas in their neighborhoods most affected by flooding, connecting personal experiences with broader patterns of risk across the city. The information shared by residents will help inform Springfield's upcoming 10-year infrastructure plan, as well as regional flood risk reports being developed by PVPC and FRCOG.
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