Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Director of Disaster Recovery Tina Quagliato Sullivan, Executive Director of Parks, Buildings & Recreation Management Patrick Sullivan, Director of the Department of Public Works Chris Cignoli and Andrew Mirkin, President of Associated Building Wreckers announced the demolition of 468 Walnut Street and 462 Central Street yesterday on site.
“This is one more step in our efforts in neighborhood revitalization and our continued enhancement for a better traffic reconfiguration flow for our Central Street and Maple High/Six Corners area corridor,” said Mayor Sarno.
These properties were acquired by the City of Springfield through the eminent domain land taking process. The demolition will include the buildings located at 468 Walnut Street, 462 Central Street and ultimately 46-48 Hickory Street, upon relocation of occupants. The razing of the properties will allow for the long planned re-alignment of the Central Street corridor and expansion of Ruth Elizabeth Park. The project is the result of the public rebuilding process lead by residents and Rebuild Springfield following the June 1, 2011 tornado.
The project will re-direct Central Street traffic flow into a newly widened and improved Hickory Street and will permit improved traffic flow for Central, Hickory and Rifle Streets. Construction will include installation of sidewalks, trees and safety improvements. Additionally, the project will permit more visibility and accessibility to Ruth Elizabeth Park for neighborhood residents. The project will greatly enhance the park with improved infrastructure such an enhanced ADA accessible and universal access park entrance and interior walking path, walking trail improvements, and trailhead amenities, including trail signage and wayfinding to connect area parks.
The bulk of the project is being completed with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds. The improvements to Ruth Elizabeth Park are being completed with a combination of Land & Water Conservation grant funding and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. Construction is anticipated to start this fall with a completion date of June 1, 2020.
Demolition of 468 Walnut Street began October 7th and soil removal and site restoration will continue for approximately two weeks. Following demolition at 468 Walnut Street, crews will move to 462 Central Street to begin demolition. The park portion of construction has been recently procured and awarded to Gleason Johndrow, with an anticipated completion in June 2020. The City will seek bids for the roadway construction later this month, with an anticipated completion in 2021.
This property is being demolished and the new roadway is being constructed with Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding. Asbestos abatement and demolition is being completed by Associated Building Wreckers of Springfield. Environmental oversight of the project is being conducted by ATC of West Springfield. The total cost of asbestos abatement and demolition of both buildings is $227,400.00. The estimated cost of the park expansion is $450,000.00 and the roadway construction is estimated at $3.2 million.
