Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and City of Springfield Community Development Officials announced the demolition of the long blighted property at 22 Ridgewood Place (the former Ring Nursing Home) today.
22 Ridgewood Place was foreclosed by the City for the non-payment of taxes in 2007. The property was abandoned prior to the City’s foreclosure and since obtaining ownership, the City issued multiple Requests for Proposals for the purchase and redevelopment of the property. The building was also looked at by the Springfield Public Schools, two separate charter schools and the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department for possible re-use, however all potential development was determined infeasible due to the condition of the building, lack of parking and being located within a primarily residential neighborhood. At this point it has been determined that the building is infeasible to rehabilitate and should be demolished.
“This is one more step in our efforts in neighborhood revitalization and a continuance of our fight against blight throughout the City of Springfield. No neighbor and/or neighborhood should have to live next to such a derelict structure, historic or not. This is a perfect example on why it is so vitally important that housing advocates and the City Council do not continue to pursue and impose more demolition ordinance restrictions,” stated Mayor Sarno.
The building at 22 Ridgewood Place is located within the Ridgewood Historic District, but was constructed in 1964. The Massachusetts Historic Commission determined that although the building is located within the Historic District, it is not a contributing building and demolition would not have an adverse impact on the surrounding Ridgewood Historic District. The City obtained support from the Massachusetts Historical Commission, the Springfield Historical Commission and the Maple-High Six Corners Neighborhood Council for the demolition of the building. The City anticipates demolition and cleanup activities to be ongoing for approximately two weeks.
This property is being demolished with a combination of HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, City Demolition Bond funding and a $50,000 grant from MHIC and the Attorney General’s Abandoned Housing Initiative Fund. Asbestos abatement and demolition is being completed by Associated Building Wreckers of Springfield. The total cost of asbestos and hazardous materials abatement and demolition is $423,379.00.
Environmental oversight of the projects is being performed by ATC of West Springfield.
