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New system is an alternative to auction

Properties, such as this one at 82 Cherry St., which have been seized by the city, will now be available to developers through the RFP process. Reminder Publications photo by G. Michael Dobbs
By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



SPRINGFIELD The Office of Housing & Neighborhood Services is trying a different approach to finding new owners for some of the properties the city has seized for back taxes.

Jennifer Kearney, of the Office, explained to Reminder Publications that in the past the city has conducted auctions of houses and lots, but now 14 properties will be available for development through a Request for Proposals (RFP) procedure.

Kearney said that, with the auction process, a buyer at an auction only has to give the city a down payment of $1,000 to secure the purchase, with the rest of the cost paid at a later time. She said that in the past some developers were buying the properties on speculation and upon closer examination of the property they were willing to default on the purchase and allow the city to keep the down payment.

She said that some of the properties on the current list have been through the auction process before.

"Some [properties] have been around for a while," she added.

The RFP process will provide "a way to control development," she said. The RFP requires developers to state what they would do with the property and how they would fund it.

The Office of Housing & Neighborhood Services has presented several technical assistance workshops about the RFP process that have been attended by as many as 60 people.

She said that some of the properties need renovation and repair, while others might need demolition, if the zoning allowed it.

The properties on the list include: 172-174 Albemarle St., 76 Bay St., 82 Cherry St., 122 College St., 67 Margaret St., 17 Monson St., 12 Sheldon St., 30 Colonial Ave., 145 Florence St. 43-45 Genesee St., 39 James St., 79-81 Princeton St., 25 St. James Ave. and 109 Federal St. The deadline for the completion of the RFPs is Aug. 30. The RFP packets are available at thecity's Department of Purchase at City Hall, room 415. For more information contact Kearney at 787-6500.