Mayor Domenic J. Sarno has directed his team to continue to press enforcement of public health and safety concerns at the site of the former Vibra Hospital on State Street.
Mayor Sarno states, “I am totally frustrated and aggravated with this property – shame on them! My administration will continue to press them in court for follow up maintenance on their property. And to think this once was a place of healing, now it’s turned into a jungle!”
“To be clear, the City of Springfield does not own this property. Although we announced an intent to purchase the property back in October of 2023, the owners of Vibra Hospital have been unable to satisfy matters on their end,” said the Mayor.
Mayor Sarno explained that while the city was in discussions about the purchase and sale of the property, the situation and condition at the privately owned Vibra Hospital site had significantly declined resulting in a dramatic quality of life and public safety hazard for our community.
The significant lack of oversight and attention from the owners since the announcement back in October 2023, has resulted in the property becoming a blight upon the neighborhood with illegal dumping, vandalism, overgrowth, and unacceptable efforts of securing the now vacant property resulting in an increase in vagrant and homeless activity.
“The owners and management have simply walked away from the property, which is inexcusable,” stated Mayor Sarno. “City officials have issued numerous fines and violations. We previously went through court to have the property boarded and secured. I have requested follow up from Eco Dev, the Law Department, and Building & Code Enforcement to continue pressing this issue with the owners. We have tried to work with them, but they have been atrocious caretakers of their property and nonresponsive to our requests and fines, which is why we must continue to pursue in court.”
Mayor Sarno thanks Executive Director Ana Dobbins and members of the Pine Point Community Council for their efforts to get attention on this public safety and quality of life concern for the neighborhood. “Thank you to the Pine Point Community Council for continuing to be an extra pair of eyes and ears and looking out for the good of the neighborhood,” he said.