Mayor Domenic J. Sarno will virtually attend the Springfield Regional Justice Center Project Public Hearing scheduled for Thursday, January 2, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. to continue to advocate to the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) and the Trial Court for a new Roderick Ireland Courthouse in Springfield. Mayor Sarno also supports DCAMM’s lease approach which will be a faster and more cost effective process.
Mayor Sarno also submitted written comments on the Massachusetts Trails Court’s Project Proposal to the Asset Management Board regarding the acquisition of a Springfield Regional Justice Center Facility lease:
It is important that we consider this proposal in the very serious context from which it originated:
Five people who worked in the existing courthouse have died of ALS. Additionally, 60 cases of cancer have been linked to people working in the building. Some of these people I know, from my time working in the District Attorney’s Office.
The 50-year-old courthouse — the second busiest in the state — is one of the most-frequented buildings in greater Springfield with approximately 1,600 visitors a day. But as we know the building has a long history of problems regarding dust, mold, leaky roofs and windows as well as people experiencing fatigue and respiratory problems.
I am grateful to the Healy/Driscoll Administration, Chief Justice Brieger and DCAMM Commissioner Baacke for addressing the need for a new Springfield Regional Justice Center and the sense of urgency they have collectively assigned to its development. In considering future locations for the Regional Justice Center, it is important that this facility be highly visible, serviced by public transit, have adequate public parking and remain in the downtown.
Which brings us to the point of this public hearing. The decision by the Massachusetts Trail Court to reconsider the public construction of the approximately 330,000 square foot facility in favor of a lease with a maximum term of sixty years is a game changer. Not only will this approach significantly expediate the building construction timeline, it is projected to have a savings over ten years of over $82,000,000.
I and my economic development staff have reviewed the Project Proposal and consider it to be well thought out and responsive to the immediacy of the Trial Court’s and the public’s need for a new Regional Justice Center in Springfield, which is long overdue. I lend my full support to the Project Proposal and strongly encourage the Asset Management Board to approve it, so that DCAMM in cooperation with the Trail Court can commence with this much needed project.
Mayor Sarno states, “I have made it very clear; I am in full support of the relocation of a new Roderick Ireland Courthouse to the north riverfront area. This would be a game changer for the City of Springfield. It brings to light development in the north end of our riverfront and most importantly, it brings with it some additional housing to the city, which is desperately needed. Also, this proposal includes restaurants and boutique shops, along with a proposed marina. This project would also create hundreds of construction jobs and a number of permanent jobs. This project also addresses major issues concerning public transportation and parking. Furthermore, this project in the north riverfront could be completed in 3-4 years vs 7-10 years at the current site. I will continue to advocate for the project that is in the best interest for our Springfield.”
The public hearing will be held virtually on January 2, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89056261798
An additional public hearing will be held on January 7, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at the Springfield State Office Building, 436 Dwight St., Springfield, MA.
The public is invited to comment on the proposed project at the public hearing and may submit written comments to kendra.howes@mass.gov. The deadline for submitting written comments is Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. ET.