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Mayor Ryan, residents tour 16 Acres neighborhood

By Natasha Clark

Reminder Assistant Editor



SIXTEEN ACRES On Monday, Mayor Charlie Ryan took a tour of the 16 Acres neighborhood hosted by 16 Acres Civic Association President Clodo Concepcion.

Starting at Greenleaf Community Center, the tour revealed the conditions of the currently closed Greenleaf Community Center, new business ventures taking place in the area, and the problem with illegal dumping that is taking place behind the defunct Big Y on Wilbraham Road.

"This is a good space," Concepcion told Ryan as they stood on rust stained floors inside the community center. "These can be made into functioning rooms ... this is my number one project [and] I won't rest until I get it done."

"This is a great location with the library, tennis courts and ball fields," Ryan said when he was back outside and scanning the property.

Ryan said 40 years ago the site was intended to be a shopping center, and he said it was a good decision to turn it into a park or otherwise it "would be just another shopping center."

The tour continued around the library and down Parker Street, where Concepcion pointed out the demolition taking place on the former Bernie's House of Television site. By the end of the year a People's Bank will reside in its place. One Stop Liquor Store will be coming down as well. According to Concepcion, Pride Gas Station, on the corner of Wilbraham Road and Parker Street, will expand its location.

Mayor Ryan told Reminder Publications that he is concerned with the former Big Y site.

"Big Y is a 50,000 square foot empty space. [We want to] fill that with a user that is good for the neighborhood. It's in the hands of the private owner," Ryan said, adding that he is willing to help in any way he can.

Concepcion said that his last endeavor is to make sure good businesses get in there.

After crossing Wilbraham Road, the tour continued along the wooded area that is adjacent to Alibi's in the Acres.

Concepcion said that five trucks full of junk, was unloaded in the wooded area and at the back of the building. A cleanup was done a little over a week ago, but as the tour rounded the building, an illegally dumped couch was there.

Concepcion said they are not sure who is responsible for dumping the previous materials, but that couches and construction materials were among things left by the unidentified person(s).

Concepcion said one of the reasons he initiated the tour with Ryan was to "make him aware of what's going on."

Ryan said the tour was very helpful.

"A lot of positive things happen in the 16 Acres center," he added.

Ryan also said that there are priorities for the area and some of them include the illegal dumping issue.

"We want to make sure that that has ended. [Right now] the focus on Greenleaf is key," Ryan said.

He also told Reminder Publications that good news on the project is "coming fairly quickly".

"Over the next three fiscal years, one beginning in three weeks, we will see the building totally restored," Ryan said, adding that he hopes the building will become a vibrant part of the community's life again.