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Library update puts allies at odds

Date: 4/27/2010

April 28, 2010.

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



SPRINGFIELD -- City Solicitor Edward Pikula updated both a group of city councilors and occasionally hostile advocates for the Mason Square Library on the status of the eminent domain process to remove the Urban League (UL) from the site of the former and future library on Wednesday.

The meeting was often contentious with some residents challenging Pikula on why the process was taking longer than they thought. Former City Councilor Morris Jones claimed the "foot-dragging" could be attributed to Mayor Domenic Sarno, while Ruth Loving said originally Mason Square library supporters had been told the building would be back in the city's hands within 30 days of the City Council approving the taking.

Jones asserted the issues surrounding the library were "cut and dried -- even Ray Charles could see that."

Attending the meeting were City Councilors E. Henry Twiggs and James Ferrera, who were the co-chairs, Melvin Edwards and Zaida Luna.

Elizabeth Stevens, a member of the Mason Square Library Advisory Board, charged that UL President Henry Thomas was the one "dragging his feet." She praised city officials for making the process more transparent through meetings such as this one and wondered if Gov. Deval Patrick or Congressman Richard Neal could put pressure on Thomas to move more quickly.

At times the residents argued among themselves over the details of the eminent domain process.

Edwards asked Pikula if the "slow and deliberate" pace was part of the process. Pikula replied it was.

Pikula explained the city has "bent over backwards" to meet the letter of the law in the taking process to avoid any complaint that could lead to a court case. He explained the UL will receive a formal notice to vacate on June 1 and added city officials are still expecting to re-open the library in November.

He added the UL could still file a lawsuit against the city no matter how closely the city stuck to the requirements of the laws concerning the taking of property. Part of those requirements is to prevent any unnecessary interruption in the UL's supply of services.

Currently, Pikula said the city has contacted real estate appraiser James Fisher to provide it with an appropriate use and occupation fee -- a rental fee -- the UL would have to pay after June 1 as a further incentive to find a new location.

According to a report released on March 12, the relocation expert hired by the city to help the UL find a new home, Steven Mollica, spoke with Thomas regarding sites suggested by the Department of Planning and Economic Development.

Those sites included:

• Holy Family Church, 235 Eastern Ave. -- rejected by the UL due to "poor location and conversion issues."

• Mosque 727 on State St. -- rejected by the UL because it is "too big and potential costly building improvement issues."

• Dickinson Funeral Home, 305 State St. -- "did not check out, but not preferable area."

• Verizon Building, 365 State St. -- rejected as "too big and limited parking."

• 503 State St. (next to Burger King) -- "[has] potential, but too large by itself-space; potential is good."

• Former Open Pantry, 287 State St. -- rejected due to "access to clientele issues."

• Masonic Temple -- "very concerned with cost to maintain and carry."

• Mason Square Fire Station rejected because of "issues with location, accessibility and parking."

• Massachusetts Career Development Institute (MCDI) property, 140 Wilbraham Ave. -- "concerned that timing would not work; MCDI not ready to leave."

• Property owned by American International College (AIC) on Mulberry Street -- "possible [lot on which to] build, but AIC wants lot for parking.

• Former Hampden Dodge near MassMutual -- rejected because it is "too big as is and possible retrofit and contamination issues."

The UL also discussed the former Kavanaugh Furniture site with Mollica, which Thomas, having visited it, found it being too large.

The UL told Mollica the organization needs 2,000 to 3,000 square feet. He will submit this information to the Planning and Economic Development Department to see if there are any other potential sites.

As of April 9, Mollica was told that Thomas was waiting for some of the principals of potential replacement locations to get back to him with pricing information and that Thomas was contacted by commercial realtor Bob Greeley about two locations, one of which the UL rejected and one of which would be further considered.

Noting the anger among some of the residents between themselves, Twiggs suggested uniting through a picketing effort aimed at the UL to call public attention to the situation.

The meeting will be continued April 28 at 5 p.m. at the Rebecca Johnson School.