City to spend $200,000 to help secure historic Campanile

April 19, 2018 | G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com

In this file photo, one can see the protective measures that have already been employed at the Campanile.
Reminder Publications file photo

SPRINGFIELD – The city has announced it will allocate $200,000 to install supporting measures to the century-plus old Campanile, but there has been no mention of the progress of $20 million capital campaign that was started in 2014 to funded permanent restoration of the bell tower next to City Hall.

Reinforced mesh bands are needed on the fourth corner as well as extension bands. Installation is expected to take place the weekend of April 27.

In a statement released last week, Executive Director of the Department of Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management Patrick Sullivan said, “We appreciate the mayor’s efforts in securing funding to initiate the design process. We will continue our efforts in identifying state and federal grant sources. The project will include the restoration of the exterior limestone shaft and interior structural steel, replace existing elevator, restore clock and carillon, and create a display room and educational exhibit for the clock.”

Mayor Domenic Sarno said, “This architectural gem sits in the heart of downtown and is a paramount place maker of Springfield identity.  It was constructed circa 1910 and is a hierarchical tower of Springfield history. Whenever there is a graphic representation of Springfield the campanile Tower is often present.  The restoration of this tower is a vital part to Springfield’s urban revitalization principles, because it would be honoring its past while at the same time designing to be a 21st century city.”     

In March 2014, Sarno announced the beginning of a $20 million capital campaign that would take three years to raise the funds to completely restore the Campanile.

At the announcement, Sarno was introduced as the campaign leader with the participation of the late William L. Putnam, Congressman Richard Neal, Jonathan Fantini Porter, John A. Denison and Roger Crandall, chairman, president and CEO of MassMutual Financial Group.

At that time contributions for the Springfield Campanile Project were asked to be be made payable to the Springfield Council for Cultural and Community Affairs and sent to the Springfield Campanile Restoration Project, 200 Trafton Road. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Springfield Council for Cultural and Community Affairs does not have a web presence, but according to Guidestar, the organization’s 2016 Form 990-EZ lists revenue that year of $71,297 and expenses of $26,972 with net assets of $282,104. The mayor is the president of the non-profit with Sullivan, Kathleen Breck, Patrick Burns, Carol Langevin and Denise Jordan as other officers.

Reminder Publications has asked for an update on the campaign but by press time did not receive a response.

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