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City seeks RFPs for 263 Central St.

Date: 12/19/2013

By G. Michael Dobbs

news@thereminder.com

SPRINGFFIELD – Interested in helping to improve a neighborhood still recovering from the June 1, 2011 tornado? The city would like to hear from you.

City officials announced last week they are seeking responses to Request for Proposals (RFP) for the ownership and renovation of 263 Central St., and its unpaved parking lot on Pine Street, according to Tina Quagliatro, deputy director of Neighborhood Stabilization.

She said the eight-unit apartment building has been “previously poorly managed by the former ownership.” The city now owns the building and a new owner would have to address the code enforcement issues, she added,

“The new owner would have to do some repair work and provide quality management going forward,” Quagliatro explained.

The building is currently occupied, she said.

According to the RFP, “The city is offering $150,000 in Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds to be used for the rehabilitation. The property is available for viewing on Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. and proposals are due Jan. 6, 2014 by 2 p.m.”

The city describes the building as “a brick, apartment building, consisting of eight units. It was constructed in 1910, it contains 16,660 square feet of living space and is located on a 4,828 square foot lot and is zoned Residence B. The assessed value is $252,000. The property has four floors and contains approximately eight, two-bedroom, occupied, residential units.” The vacant lot on Pine Street is 3,679 square feet and assessed at $1,100.

The two properties are located within the Maple-Hill Historic District and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which would mean that exterior changes to the building or lot would require full review and approval of the Springfield Historical Commission.

For anyone interested in viewing the property contact the Office of Housing and Neighborhood Services at 787-6500.

Mayor Domenic Sarno stated, “This is another step in rebuilding along Central Street. Restoring this area is a critical part of our rebuilding plan to make the city whole from the June 1, 2011 tornado.”