5. How would traffic get to the plaza?

Traffic coming from Rt 57 east (from Springfield) would take the Mill St exit,
and turn left off a proposed new left turn exit ramp onto Mill St. They would
then cross the bridge, then turn right onto Tennis Rd to access the plaza.
Traffic from 57 west (from Southwick) would have a direct access ramp off Rt
57 into the plaza. Of course, traffic leaving the plaza to go back on 57 west
would have to go up Tennis Rd, over the Mill St bridge, and get on 57 west via
a new proposed access ramp. Traffic returning east would have a dedicated
on ramp to 57 east from the plaza. That's only if the state lets them build the
proposed ramps on Rt 57.
6. What if the state doesn't let them build the access and exit ramps on Rt 57?

Then those thousands of cars a day will have to use our already crowded
surface streets to get to the proposed plaza. The supporters of the project
don't think that's a problem. As long as they can buy their shoes in town, who
cares?
9. Why will our property values go down?

It's a simple concept. Anytime a huge regional shopping center is built, the
property values of the homes in the town, and especially the surrounding
residences, decline substantially. It's a quality of life issue. No one wants to
live near a shopping mall. But don't worry, I'm sure in order to make up for the
decline in residential tax revenues, the town will find another way to increase
the tax base (such as raising the residential tax rate).
10. Won't the shopping plaza create new jobs?

True, some jobs will be created. But they are almost all low paying jobs with
little or no benefits. Let's not forget all the jobs that will be lost due to the
locally owned businesses that will lose business, or have to close, as a result
of the shopping plaza taking their business.  Maybe those business owners
can work at the new mall.
11. Won't the shopping plaza put money back into the local economy?
That's an excellent question. The proposed mall would never fit in that
location. A real "community shopping plaza" would fit there nicely though.
Also, the land is owned by several different individuals.  Perhaps your town
officials can answer that question better than I can.
13. What About Urban Sprawl?

matter what others may tell you.matter what others may tell you.
14. What's so bad about urban sprawl?

It depletes the resources of the town by swallowing up open space. It adds
infrastructure and development farther away from existing commercial areas,
requiring increased taxes for maintenance and policing. It draws people away
from the town centers, destroying existing businesses, leading to urban
blight, and discouraging urban revitalization.
15. Won't the shopping plaza only attract people from Agawam?

To quote the project developer, it will draw from "a 4 mile radius". A four mile
radius from the site includes all of Agawam, half of West Springfield, parts of
Springfield, Longmeadow, Westfield, Southwick, Enfield Connecticut and
Suffield Connecticut. Of course, on the developers website, for all his other
developments, he gives population numbers out to a 10 mile radius. I guess
only the Agawam Site will draw from a 4 mile radius.
16. Wouldn't the new shopping plaza be similar to The Longmeadow Shops?
More To Come!!


Disclaimer
The answers to the following questions are strictly the opinions
1. Why do some people think Agawam needs a shopping plaza?

Because some people think it is an inconvenience to occasionally drive 10
minutes to buy certain items. They do not consider the 5 minutes they will
save by having a shopping plaza in Agawam will be wasted sitting in the
excessive traffic that will be generated all over town, every single day.
2. What "simple items needed everyday" can't be bought in Agawam?

Well, let's see. Bread, milk, paper products, health and beauty aids, and
groceries just to name a few, are all available in Agawam. I can't think of any
simple everyday items that can't be bought in Agawam.
3. But what about things like socks, shoes, clothing and electronics? You
can't buy those in Agawam.

That's correct. But those don't need to be purchased everyday. They are all
available within a 10 to 15 minute drive. If you need to shop for these things
more than once a month, you probably shop more for fun than out of
necessity. And by the way, Stop & Shop has socks. They're on aisle 17.
Frequently Asked Questions
Citizens Against Reckless Development

True, some jobs will be created. But they are almost all low paying jobs with
little or no benefits. Let's not forget all the jobs that will be lost due to the
locally owned businesses that will lose business, or have to close, as a result
of the shopping plaza taking their business.  Maybe those business owners
can work at the new mall.
11. Won't the shopping plaza put money back into the local economy?

No. Studies prove that almost all the profits generated by the new shopping
plaza will go out of state to the pockets of the corporations that run them.
Studies also show that most of the money spent at locally owned businesses
remains in the area and is reinvested in the local economy.

That's an excellent question. The proposed mall would never fit in that
location. A real "community shopping plaza" would fit there nicely though.
Also, the land is owned by several different individuals.  Perhaps your town
officials can answer that question better than I can.
13. What About Urban Sprawl?

Merriam-Webster defines Urban Sprawl as "the spreading of urban
developments (as houses and shopping centers) on undeveloped land near a
city". The proposed shopping plaza is a textbook example of urban sprawl, no
matter what others may tell you.
14. What's so bad about urban sprawl?

It depletes the resources of the town by swallowing up open space. It adds
infrastructure and development farther away from existing commercial areas,
requiring increased taxes for maintenance and policing. It draws people away
from the town centers, destroying existing businesses, leading to urban
blight, and discouraging urban revitalization.

To quote the project developer, it will draw from "a 4 mile radius". A four mile
radius from the site includes all of Agawam, half of West Springfield, parts of
Springfield, Longmeadow, Westfield, Southwick, Enfield Connecticut and
Suffield Connecticut. Of course, on the developers website, for all his other
developments, he gives population numbers out to a 10 mile radius. I guess
only the Agawam Site will draw from a 4 mile radius.
16. Wouldn't the new shopping plaza be similar to The Longmeadow Shops?

Not even close. According to the Town of Longmeadow Assessors Website,
The Longmeadow Shops covers 9.6 Acres, and totals 112,000 Square Feet.
The proposed Agawam plaza covers over 86 acres and has total square
footage of over 563,000 square feet. If you want something to compare it to,
look to Rt 5 in West Springfield. (See Question 7)
More To Come!!
7. How big are the stores in the proposed plaza?

Based on the information provided by the developer, there are 11 stores
planned, to be sized as follows:
86 Acres  
1 store of 35,000 square feet
1 store of 28,000 square feet
2 stores of 32,000 square feet
1 store of 123,735 square feet
1 store of 134,900 square feet
1 store of 30,000 square feet
1 store of 50,000 square feet
1 store of 31,000 square feet
1 store of 22,000 square feet
1 store of 30,430 square feet
Total of 563,265  square feet

By comparison, the total of The Riverdale Shops on Rt 5, (The Kohls Plaza),
plus Costco, and Home Depot, is 57 Acres and 476,237 Sq Ft.  Does that sound
like "community shopping" to you?
4. Where exactly are they planning to build the plaza?

The proposed site is adjacent to Route 57, on the south side, off Tennis Road.
It is right by the Mill St bridge that crosses over Rt 57. It is also approximately
1/4 mile from Agawam High School and The Agawam Public Library.
The developer is claiming $900,000 in new tax revenue. Of course, that's
before you subtract tax revenue from loss of existing businesses that will
close, as well as loss of revenue from the residential tax base that will pay
less taxes on lower property values. The increased tax revenue will probably
just cover the added expenses of infrastructure wear and tear and police
presence required as a result of the shopping plaza.