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Date: 7/5/2022
SPRINGFIELD – With the enthusiastic support of the Sarno Administration, Peter Picknelly through his Opal development company has sent letters to the Division of Capital Access Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) and the Executive Office of the Trial Court proposing constructing a new courthouse on riverfront property owned by Picknelly accessible through Avocado Street.
Those letters have also been copied to Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito.
In conjunction with that development, Picknelly would like to build on the other side of Clinton Street an 11-story residential center with 120 to 180 one-and two-bedroom apartments with the first floor designated for retail and restaurants. There would be a 50-slip marina also as part of the project. The apartment building is estimated to cost $150 to $175 million.
Picknelly and Mayor Domenic Sarno made the announcement about the two developments on June 30.
Picknelly’s vision of the courthouse would be a four-story building on 12.5 acres with 210,000 to 260,000 square feet of space. It would feature a 700-car parking area, with 150 spaces in an underground garage. There would be a raised boardwalk from the courthouse property leading to a look-out area at the river.
Design and construction would be in the price range of $255 to $295 million.
Both buildings would be accessible to the bikeway and walkway bordering the river.
Picknelly noted at the press conference how he recently went to Max’s Tavern at the Basketball Hall of Fame complex and noted how between the various restaurants and businesses the parking lot was full. He believes this dual development north of the Memorial Bridge would also serve as a catalyst for other development in that area as the Hall of Fame has been.
Sarno said, “The spinoff effects would be tremendous.” He added the riverfront property is a “hidden jewel.”
If state officials approve, Picknelly estimated the project would take two years for design and permitting and two to two-and-a-half years for construction. He said there would be 400 construction jobs created by the two complexes.
Sarno said of the new courthouse, “Its time is due.” He added the present courthouse location is a “very attractive” development property and he would reach out, if the project is approved, to MGM to see if that company wishes to extend its Springfield footprint.
The mayor added about a new courthouse, “Everything being equal I’d like to have a local developer.”
Affecting the issue are the details of the settlement made earlier this year to a lawsuit brought by Register of Deed Cheryl Coakley-Rivera. In that settlement, DCAMM is supposed to complete a site assessment and feasibility concerning whether or not a new courthouse should be built – or the present one renovated to remove the causes of health issues – by June 1, 2023.
The settlement also included a requirement for a “dehumidification” project of the present building. A cleaning of the courthouse has been recently announced.
Springfield Chief Development Officer Tim Sheehan noted that any construction of a new courthouse would involve a competitive process at the state level. He added that Picknelly has already outlined plans for the building, as well as identified a site, which means the city is “two steps ahead of the process.”
“It’s a huge advantage,” he added.
When asked if he would seek to build the apartment building if the courthouse project is not approved, Picknelly said, “Anything is possible.”