Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.

Urban League to make temporary move to Tech Park

Date: 7/19/2010

July 19, 2010

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor

SPRINGFIELD -- The Urban League has told city officials it plans to move out of the Mason Square library building by Sept. 30 and into a temporary location at the Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) Technology Park.

City Solicitor Edward Pikula told Reminder Publications Urban League representatives have said the non-profit organization's ultimate goal is to be one of the tenants in the redeveloped fire station building in Mason Square. The Urban League is working with American International College, which was recently named by the city as the preferred developer of the long closed historic fire station as well as the Indian Motocycle buildings.

In a memo dated July 2, Library Director Lee Fogarty wrote that orders for new furniture and shelving for the library would shortly be placed. Pikula said the date of Sept. 30 would not affect the library's plans to reopen the branch.

Pikula said the Law Department is still negotiating a use and occupancy fee -- essentially a rent -- with the Urban League. There has been a figure suggested of $2,500 a month on the table, but Pikula said there has been no confirmation of that amount.

One additional concern about the relocation of the Urban League, he explained, is whether the city will be required to pay two relocation fees. Under the statutes defining eminent domain taking, the city must pay a relocation fee to help the Urban League move into a new site. Pikula noted that despite the move to the STCC Technology Park being temporary, there may be an assumption the city would also pay for a move into the Mason Square Fire Station when it is ready. Pikula believes the statues would not require the city to pay any additional fees.