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AIC selected to develop former Indian Motorcycle complex

AIC selected to develop former Indian Motorcycle complex masonsquare-before-after.swf
These photos show the Mason Square Fire Station today (first slide) and as it might look after its redevelopment (second slide) under the American International College proposal.
Reminder Publications submitted images
May 24, 2010 By G. Michael Dobbs Managing Editor SPRINGFIELD -- The Indian Motorcycle complex and the Mason Square Fire Station will get a new use if a plan announced by Vincent Maniaci, president of American International College (AIC), comes to fruition. The college was given preferred developer status on Tuesday by the city and will have 135 days to put final details into place. The proposal carries a $13 million price tag and Maniaci said at this time he does not know how the plan will be funded or who the final development partners will be nor does he have a timeline for the project. When asked if the college would be the owner of the three buildings, he said that also hasn't been determined as yet. "We will move as quickly as we can," Maniaci said. "This is a great opportunity to show the world how we can collaborate in the public/private world." He said the complex could be "the welcome center" for the neighborhood and the college. The plan that was unveiled at the press event last week addresses three buildings at the heart of Mason Square: • The Mason Square Fire Station Built in 1886 and closed since 1988, the fire station would be used as a "cyber cafe " on its first floor that would be open to AIC students and the general public. There might be a small art gallery built on the first floor as well. The two upper floors would be used for the college's Communication Program and could include the college's radio station and a television studio. • The Indian Motorcycle Building A Currently the building has 139 apartment units. Under the proposal AIC would upgrade those units, expand the parking lot and possibly add a learning center to the building. Although AIC would like to house upper class and graduate student in the building, it would not displace any of the current tenants. AIC would also be responsible for the security of the building. • The Indian Motorcycle Building B At the press event Maniaci said the unused Building B would have to be evaluated for "environmental concerns." The college is considering "a number of community, commercial and recreational uses" for the 57,000 square foot space, according to the press materials distributed at the announcement.

 mason-square-before.jpg
The Mason Square Fire Station today.

Reminder Publications submitted image

The college will be working with MassHousing on the plan for the additional housing component. Connie Tippens, the loan officer for MassHousing, said the organization "jumped at" the opportunity to be involved in the new project. John Judge, the city's chief development officer, said the AIC announcement is part of the larger development picture happening in the city. He said there are 30 projects going on, including several at the city's colleges, such as the pharmacy school and science building being constructed at Western New England College. "We're blessed to have these institutions [the city's four colleges] in town," Judge said. Mayor Domenic Sarno said, "[The project] will become an iconic building transformation."