Springfield aldermen have, for the third time, rejected an effort to change zoning to convert a portion of the Wyndham City Centre downtown into apartments.
City tourism officials warned that the plan, which would have left only 125 hotel rooms in the 30-story structure, would severely harm the city’s convention and tourism business for years to come.
But some aldermen warned that the vote could create even bigger problems down the road. The Wyndham’s owner has said without the zoning change that would allow it to be sold to a New York developer, he will convert the entire facility to government-subsidized apartments.
The vote was six-to-four to reject the zoning change. Voting to reject it: Redpath, Purchase, DiCenso, Conley, Donelan, Hanauer. Voting to allow the change: Gregory, Williams, Fulgenzi, McMenamin
