First phase of demolition starts on MCDI building

Nov. 17, 2020 | G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com

Demolition crews began the process of the first phase of removing the former MCDI building in Springfield on Nov. 12.
Reminder Publishing photo by G. Michael Dobbs

SPRINGFIELD – The city took the first step in the eventual redevelopment of the Massachusetts Career Development Institute (MCDI) on Nov. 12 with the start of demolition of the part of the building that had been damaged by fire.

The MCDI complex on Wilbraham Avenue provided vocational training and was closed in 2013. The complex was the subject of arson in 2016 and the city was able to take ownership of the property in 2019.

At a press conference on the site, both Mayor Domenic Sarno and state Rep. Bud Williams spoke of the legal challenges the city faced in order to gain control of the property. Williams said he is working on legislation that would assist communities with similar problem properties.

Director of Disaster Recovery Tina Quagliato Sullivan explained the city has no particular plans for the property, which abuts a new park for the neighborhood, taking the place of the park at Deberry School. Once the demolition is complete next here the city will issue a Request for Proposals to developers.

The current phase of demolition is $230,000 and Quagliato Sullivan said the second phase would go out to bid once the first phase is complete.

The complete demolition should be completed some time next year, she said.

Sarno and Williams also both thanked neighbors for their patience as especially after the fire the site was “an eyesore,” the mayor said.

Williams said the demolition and redevelopment would go along with other improvements in the area, such as the conversion of the Knox/Firestone building into apartments.

In a written statement, Sarno said, “This blighted private property has been an eyesore for the neighborhood ever since it was ravaged by a fire back in 2016.  To complicate the matter, the property had been tied up in court for years due to a host of complicated issues including, delinquent taxes, numerous building and code violations, and issues involving the previous owners existing only on paper.  The city filed a claim with the courts to foreclose on the property so that we could seek out potential developers and begin the cleaning up process.  Due to the condition and size of the parcels involved, it is not going to be cheap to clean up, but it is the right thing to do.

“In the name of improving the quality of life for our residents and the business community in the neighborhood, my administration and I are committed to getting this monstrosity down for the betterment of the area – no family should have to live next to this mess,” Mayor Sarno added.  “I am very happy that we have not only been able to follow through on this quality of life issue, but just as important redevelop this property into a positive asset for this neighborhood.  Neighborhood projects will continue to be very important to me.”

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