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Date: 12/15/2022
SPRINGFIELD – Representatives of Springfield’s Economic Development team and Preservation Trust aired different perspectives on the future of 1400 State St. and 1414 State St. during the City Council’s Nov. 28 meeting.
Economic Development
The conjoined State Street properties have largely been dormant since Vibra Hospital of Western Massachusetts ceased opperations at the location in 2018. While Vibra shuttered their services, the space still features some “limited medical operations” taking place, according to Planning and Economic Development background on the properties.
Deputy Director of Planning Philip Dromey and Chief Development Officer Timothy Sheehan met before the council to request a Residence C to Business A zone change for the property. Dromey explained that there is no proposed development for the properties, but stressed that a Business A distinction could open up possibilities for future developments.
“We feel that Business A is an appropriate land use for the particular location … It has happened in the past where a zone change has moved forward without a plan being in place,” said Dromey.
Dromey said the building’s current owner, Vibra, is “actively” looking to sell the property. He explained that Residence C does not allow developments outside of housing and medical projects.
“Any type of new commercial proposal at that location would not be allowed until a zone change is approved,” said Dromey.
In his remarks, Sheehan shared that he met with the Pine Point Community Council, who expressed they would actively denounce any proposed housing project for the site. Sheehan views the zone change as a crucial step for opening up development possibilities for the dormant space.
“If you’re isolating the [zoning] uses, you’re constricting the possibilities of redevelopment for that property if indeed you want to have it maintained,” said Sheehan.
He also stressed that Vibra is looking to cease ownership of the site.
“Vibra is actively looking to exit from the site. This is their third attempt to make a sale relative to the property … If they can’t accomplish a transaction for sale going forward, the site ultimately is going to be boarded, secured and left vacant. That’s a huge site to have vacant,” said Sheehan.
Preservation Trust
In contrast, Springfield Preservation Trust member Eric Swallow expressed initial opposition to the zone change. While the Preservation Trust supports redevelopment and an eventual rezoning, Swallow said the zone change should be accompanied by a redevelopment plan that commits to preserving the site’s historical nature.
“Because we want to preserve the historical and architectural importance … we believe that a redevelopment plan should be presented,” said Swallow.
Prior to the meeting, Springfield Preservation Trust member James Boone explained to Reminder Publishing that 1414 State St. building was originally constructed in 1930-1931. The property was initially utilized as the Isolation Hospital, featuring an Art Deco architecture style that is the only building of its type in the Pine Point neighborhood. Boone noted the Art Deco building is the “best and largest” building of its style in the city.
In the early 1950s, a modern building was constructed at 1400 State St. and connected to the original Isolation Hospital building. The 1414 State St. was recently named to the 2022 Preservation Massachusetts Most Endangered Historic Resources List.
Along with their zone change opposition, The Springfield Preservation Trust is proposing a separate ordinance change that would allow the 92-year-old space to be protected from demolition. Currently, the Demolition Delay Ordinance protects buildings that are a century old or greater, with the Preservation Trust seeking to ease that restriction to 75-year-old structures.
The trust has also proposed the creation of a local Historic District for the site. Boone said the city’s Historic Commission would have to approve the application, then forward it to the Massachusetts Historic Commission. If approved, the recommendation would then go to the City Council for a final vote.
Swallow stressed to the council that approving a zone change should come with formal redevelopment plans to ensure the location’s historic and architectural features remain intact.
“The trust urges councilors to oppose the proposed zone change until a formal redevelopment plan is submitted for the property due to importance of preserving the historic and architectural significance of the site,” said Swallow.
Members of the council ultimately opted to decline the zone change in a 7-6 vote. Unlike with special permit requests, there are no restrictions for the proposed zone change to appear before the council for another hearings meeting.