Glimmers of a Turnaround in Springfield - Can North Allston/Brighton be far behind?

Despite a continued problem with violent crime and a troubling reputation to overcome, the New York Times nots in this story that major new real estate developments are being built in Springfield, MA that could bring a big turnaround to the local economy.

A $14 million project will add 25,000-square-feet to the 45,000-square-foot former home of the Basketball Hall of Fame. LA Fitness, the national health club chain, which will occupy a 60,000-square-foot space in the new building. The remaining space will go to Trillium Sports Medicine and Chiropractic and a restaurant named Hollywood Barn.

Performance Food Group, a company that provides frozen meals for schools and hospitals, is building a new $30 million 236,000-square-foot building and has promised to create 240 new jobs by October 2013.

One of Springfield’s largest employers, Baystate Medical Center, submitted plans for a $259 million 600,000-square-foot building on a 3.7-acre parcel next to its current Springfield Street complex. The expansion is expected to add 550 permanent jobs.

Meanwhile, last week Harvard got a "for lease" sign up in front of the former Citizens Bank building on Western Ave in North Brighton. Can our economy keep up with Springfield's?