Union Station is in line for more federal funding to help rebuild the long-shuttered railway station. What's your take on the downtown facility's future?
Funeral procession for fallen solider Michael B. Cook Jr. en route to the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam under azure-blue skies on Monday. Cook has family ties to West Springfield, though he was born in Lowell and raised in New Hampshire.The Forecast
Today will feature a mix of sun and clouds, with some rising humidity as temperatures make their way into the high 80s, according to abc40 meteorologist Mike Masco.
There will be a few storms developing later this afternoon, however, as a cold front begins pushing into the region.
The National Weather Service is forecasting some patchy fog before 8a.m. Tuesday, but otherwise today will be partly with calm wind (6 to 9 mph) out of the south.
For Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, showers are predicted between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. After some morning showers, Wednesday will shape up to be a mostly sunny day with a high near 81.
Today's Poll
On Monday, news broke that Springfield's long-dormant Union Station is in line for more federal funding to refurbish and restore the once-proud railway station on Frank B. Murray Street.
The funding, from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, includes a $400,000 cleanup grant for the estimated $70 million redevelopment project.
The station was built in 1926 and has been abandoned since 1973, but the site is poised to come to life again once the reconstruction project begins next summer. The project is a scaled-down version of a more elaborate, $115 million plan that foundered when the Federal Transit Authority froze funding amid an audit and corruption investigation at the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority -- the agency formerly responsible for overseeing the controversial project.
The future of Union Station has sparked a lively debate, particularly over whether a new-and-improved station will flourish as a regional transportation or become a so-called Bridge to Nowhere. Opponents say money for the project would be better spent on other, more pressing needs in the city.
Where do you stand on the great Union Station debate? We want to know, so chime in below:
Monday's Top 5:
The top 5 headlines on MassLive.com on June 27 were:
1) West Springfield's White Hut to open eatery in Amherst.
2) Acting Holyke Fire Chief William Moran facing criminal charges
4) Jonah Fialkoff makes 'America's Most Wanted' for his role in Belchertown kidnapping
5) Protesters, frustration mark final service at Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church in Holyoke
Quote of the Day
“It has been very difficult to see my home, which I took so much pride in, destroyed this way. I recently invested $60,000 in the house, putting in new floors, a new kitchen. I even purchased sod a few days before the tornado, and now it’s all gone.” ~ Armando Feliciano of Springfield recalling his East Forest park home following the June 1 tornado. To read the full story of Springfield homeowners rebuilding, click here.