Department Stores

Massachusetts Shopping Center Delayed

Economy forces developer to postpone retail project

Published

15 years ago

May 13, 2009

VMSD Staff

A proposed $45 million shopping center at the former Westinghouse Electric Corp. property in East Springfield, Mass., is being delayed based, in part, on the poor economy. In March 2008, Packard Development of Newton proposed building a shopping center on the 41-acre parcel with approximately 20 stores, including discount department stores, neighborhood convenience stores and two restaurants. But the 450,000-square-foot retail center has been unable to secure an anchor tenant, affecting the entire project.

Packard Development is optimistic the project will move forward eventually. The developer plans a long-term lease with the property owner, listed as Springfield Industrial Center Inc., whose president is Michael J. Barr of New York City.
The Westinghouse Electric Corp. opened the former manufacturing plant in 1915, employing about 7000 people during World War II. It closed in December 1970 and has been leased for storage and other uses since then.

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