SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - A major milestone was reached for Springfield’s economy. The new Springfield Crossing Shopping Plaza is already bringing hundreds of jobs and millions in tax revenue to the city, with only a third of the stores have opened.

The old Eastfield Mall sat mostly empty for years. There’s now a different story unfolding on Boston Road. Springfield Crossing is bringing shoppers back, and with them, jobs and economic growth the city hasn’t seen in decades. Western Mass News spoke with the developer about the impact this project is already having.

“The good news is, no one was here, no one came here to the mall, because it was challenging, and there wasn’t a lot of reason to come. Now, there’s great stores, great experiences, great restaurants, and great entertainment,” said Anton Melchionda, the founder of Onyx Development Limited.

The plaza opened just last month on November 19th. Only a third of the stores have opened so far, but the impact is already being felt. Last Wednesday, Onyx Development Limited founder Anton Melchionda celebrated another ribbon cutting, and he brought numbers that show just how much this project means to Springfield, “$80 million, that’s how much his development group has invested in the community.”

But Melchionda said the real impact isn’t just the buildings. It’s the jobs, “We think that number could get as high as 800 jobs. Really good, consistent, high-paying jobs.”

More than 400 Springfield residents have already been hired. That’s with only a third of the stores open. Then there’s the tax revenue, Melchionda said Springfield Crossing is generating five to six times more tax revenue than the old Eastfield Mall ever did.

More shoppers, more stores, more jobs. More tax dollars for the city.

Melchionda acknowledged growing pains; more people mean more traffic. but he said they’re working with MassDOT to address any issues as they arise. For now, the focus is on what’s still to come, two-thirds of the stores are still waiting to open. Which means more jobs, and more economic growth for Springfield.

Several more stores are expected to open in the coming months, each one bringing more jobs to Springfield residents. The developer says this is just the beginning of the economic transformation for this part of the city.

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