To better inform your decision about the upcoming 2024 elections, the Springfield Preservation Trust asked Springfield city council and mayoral candidates to complete a survey regarding important historic preservation topics. We sent the following questions to all city council candidates and asked that they respond by October 16th.

Below are the responses received.
(additional responses added as received) 

City Council Candidate Survey Results:

1) Local historic districts are one strategy to save historic Springfield buildings from demolition. It saved the Willys-Overland building, which now provides apartments for Springfield residents.

Do you support the creation of a Local Historic District for the Isolation Hospital and local historic districts to protect our valuable architectural heritage?

Juan Latorre III: Local Historic District for the Isolation Hospital I have greatly appreciated the public position that the Springfield Preservation Trust has taken regarding the Isolation Hospital. It is because of the SPT that I have learned that the Isolation Hospital is one of the oldest Art Deco style properties in the neighborhood and in the city, and that the history of the structure dates back to the 1930’s. Very specific to the Isolation Hospital from the 1930’s, I would support a Local Historic District. The matter, from the public meetings I have viewed, appears to be more complicated, as I can ascertain that the ultimate goal is to create a district that includes 1414 State Street (where the Isolation Hospital Stands) and 1400 State Street (where the larger medical building, occupied by Vibra Health) stands. Vibra has publicly stated their opposition to the Historic District. You are also aware that a proposed zone change to the parcel that was requested by the Office of Planning & Economic Development was not successful. I had an opportunity to attend a meeting of the Pine Point Citizens Council when this topic was being discussed, and took away that their residents were concerned with the property being redeveloped into a large commercial entity or a housing complex. I can not say what the best long-term use of this property would be, but I am committed to being part of the conversation. The 1930’s Isolation Hospital must be protected. I am open to a discussion on protecting the remaining structures, but would also want to work with the SPT and other communities to understand the best long-term use for the 1400 State Street parcel. It is an extremely large parcel with endless possibilities, including park land, a commercial space, residential single-family housing, multi-unit affordable, market rate, or work force housing. Should the issue not be resolved before the new City Council session in 2024, and I am elected to the City Council, I pledge to meet with SPT for a robust discussion on all options.

 

2) The Historical Commission is composed of seven members and two alternates. One seat has been vacant for more than four years. Some commissioners have poor attendance records. Several meetings have had to be canceled due to lack of a quorum. Applications for work within historic districts are automatically approved if not acted upon within 60 days.

What would you as a city councilor do to ensure all SHC seats are full and that SHC members attend meetings?

Juan Latorre III: Regrettably, this is an issue that plagues a number of commissions and boards in the City of Springfield. This became front page news some months ago when the Springfield City Council passed language that would better identify the process for joining City Council sub-committees, while calling out that many of the Administration’s boards and commissions were not functioning. In my service to the Springfield Conservatory and Nature Stewardship (SCANS) group, I researched that the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Conservation Commission, and other groups were all similarly lacking members. The ZBA did not meet for months because it had no chair – the reality is that many entities likely moved forward with their work without seeking a variance because of this. That’s bad for Springfield.

Specific to the Historic Commission, I can advertise the need to fill open seats through my social media platforms, in my community meetings, and my interactions with residents. We should be leveraging the Springfield Libraries, the local colleges and universities, and other groups to promote these opportunities so that well qualified candidates are considered and appointed. More generally, the Springfield City Council may be limited in the standards it would attempt to impose on commissions and boards that fall under the purview of the Mayor, but we can publicly and privately advocate for a new set of standards regarding board participation. One idea I have is to work with my potential colleagues and volunteers to issue an Annual Report on the health of municipal boards which would include the board names, the membership, and their annual attendance records.

 

3) Numerous historic buildings on the Maple Street campus of Commonwealth Academy still sit vacant and damaged 12 years after the tornado. 

What should the City do to assure the restoration of these highly visible historic resources?

Juan Latorre III: Maple Street Commonwealth Academy Campus—The City is in a very difficult position here. As members know, the property is still owned by Commonwealth Academy Holdings LLC, and is subdivided into nearly a dozen different parcels. I can not say when the parcel was subdivided, but subdivision gives an owner the option to sell off different parcels for different uses. If the Planning & Economic Development Office has not already done so, they should absolutely be at the table with Commonwealth Academy Holdings to identify a vision for future reuse that would allow for the restoration and preservation of the properties, and for Commonwealth Academy Holdings to divest the property to responsible new owners. The property does have some protections in place, as it is part of the Ames and Crescent Hill National Historic District. One interesting idea that I would discuss with Planning & Economic Development is to engage with different Higher Education institutions to assess their needs. In recent years, following the closure of a number of smaller higher-ed institutions, larger colleges and universities have sought to expand their footprints through acquisition of those properties. One such example of this is the University of Massachusetts purchasing the Mount Ida Campus in Newton, MA. I think a great reuse opportunity could be the restoration of this property for educational use.

 

4) The City continues to fund demolition–including demolition of historic buildings such as the recently demolished MCDI building—rather than offer rehabilitation incentives. This policy reduces the tax base and disrupts neighborhood fabric. 

What would you do as a city councilor to see that City’s first efforts are to provide rehabilitation incentives rather and keep these buildings secure rather than to utilize demolition funds?

Juan Latorre III: Rehabilitation Incentives vs. Demolition Strategy—One of the first tasks the City Council and the Administration has is to identify incentives to attract Building and Code Enforcement Officers to the City of Springfield. Part of the issue in our city, as I alluded to in my 2021 survey, is that we have so many properties of historical significance that are not maintained, and we have Building and Code Enforcement Departments that are not fully staffed. I hear repeatedly that we bring in these employees, they are trained for 18-36 months, and then they quickly leave for more lucrative opportunities in suburban communities. I have seen evidence that the City is interested in rehabilitation of properties in the City – 13-31 Elm Street was a major investment, for example. Other upcoming successes include First Resource Group’s plans for two properties on State Street, including the former School Department Offices; 169 Maple Street’s redevelopment by Davenport; MHA’s development of the Kavanaugh Furniture Building on State Street. Finally, the city purchased (3) buildings within the Casino District with ARPA funds to ensure responsible development: 113-115 State Street, 1139-1155 Main Street, and 11-21 Stockbridge Street. I would welcome the opportunity to meet with the Administration and the SPT on a regular basis to review the SPT’s “Most Endangered Historic Resources” List to receive updates on the collective efforts to redevelop these properties. The SPT does a great job of calling attention to any moves made on historic infrastructure to ensure the City Council is well informed – the Isolation Hospital is only the most recent enable of this.

 

5) The City often holds tax-foreclosed buildings and surplus municipal buildings for several years, during which the structures deteriorate from lack of care. For example, the City foreclosed in 2009 on the historic Chapman & Brooks Block at 135 Lyman Street. The building is now in far worse condition than when acquired by the City. The Chestnut Junior High school was inadequately secured when it was destroyed by an arson fire.

What would you as a city councilor do to ensure that vacant municipally-owned buildings are secured and maintained while awaiting disposition?

Juan Latorre III: How to care for municipal-owned buildings of historic significance—Again, a fully functioning and staffed Code Enforcement and Housing Enforcement staff is key to ensuring that the cities’ building portfolio is carefully managed. Specific to the example of Chapman & Brooks, it’s clear to me that the Springfield City Council needs to be more assertive in expecting a clear strategy from the Administration and the Office of Planning and Economic Development. 14 years is a very long time for a property to remain in municipal hands. I suspect that had the Administration said “We may hold onto this for 15 years or more”, the City Council would have been less willing to agree to the purchase, or may have placed additional restrictions, such as requiring the City to divest within a certain number of years.

Ultimately, the Springfield City Council, as individual businesses, and as a collective entity, need to make a clear statement to honest redevelopers that the City is open for business and welcomes their proposals. We have been stagnant as a city over the last ten years in terms of population growth, while sister cities like Worcester are growing and thriving, and are doing so while spending less in an annual municipal budget. I watch every Springfield City Council meeting and I personally believe that as a whole, the body does not send the message that we are ready for responsible redevelopment of historic infrastructure. That will change with the election of new City Councilors who will take the time to study properties, understand land use, meet with community stakeholders like SPT, and make informed decisions that are backed by the weight of law.

 

Mayor Candidate Survey Results:

1) Local historic districts are one strategy to save historic Springfield buildings from demolition. It saved the Willys-Overland building, which now provides apartments for Springfield residents.

As a potential mayor do you support the creation of a Local Historic District for the Isolation Hospital and local historic districts to protect our valuable architectural heritage?

Justin Hurst: Yes…I support the creation of a Local Historic District for the Isolation Hospital and the creation
of other local historic districts to protect our valuable architectural heritage.

 

2) The Historical Commission is composed of seven members and two alternates. One seat has been vacant for more than four years. Some commissioners have poor attendance records. Several meetings have had to be canceled due to lack of a quorum. Applications for work within historic districts are automatically approved if not acted upon within 60 days.

What would you as a mayor do to ensure all SHC seats are full and that SHC members attend meetings?

Justin Hurst: The issues laid out here like a lack of quorum and inconsistent attendance are not just facing the Springfield Historic Commission, but many of the city’s boards and commissions. I have already pledged to overhaul the process by which vacancies are filled for city boards and commissions. My colleague At-Large City Councilor Jesse Lederman has done an enormous amount of work on this area, and his recommendations broadly fall into three categories: first, casting a wider net for these volunteer positions; second, doing more to highlight the work these
bodies are doing; and third. taking seriously the output of these bodies when it comes to decision-making in the Mayor’s office. As Mayor I plan on following those principals.

 

3) Numerous historic buildings on the Maple Street campus of Commonwealth Academy still sit vacant and damaged 12 years after the tornado. 

What would you do as mayor of this City to assure the restoration of these highly visible historic resources?

Justin Hurst: It is disappointing that with all the federal money that has been available to Mayor Sarno’s
administration over the last three years these buildings have not been fully restored. As Mayor, Iam going to make highlighting our historic heritage an important part of our city’s economic development plan. A key part of that is saving and restoring important parts of that heritage, like the Maple St campus. It is part of a larger lack of vision for the City’s future, reflected in Mayor Sarno’s short sighted approach to economic development where pursuing campaign donors’ pet projects like moving the state courthouse to a parcel owned by the Picknelly family is valued
over strengthening our city’s urban fabric.

 

4) The City continues to fund demolition–including demolition of historic buildings such as the recently demolished MCDI building—rather than offer rehabilitation incentives. This policy reduces the tax base and disrupts neighborhood fabric. 

What would you do as a mayor to see that the City’s first efforts are to provide rehabilitation incentives rather and keep these buildings secure rather than to utilize demolition funds?

Justin Hurst: Other cities across the Commonwealth and our region – Lowell, Worcester, Brockton, and Providence – have been able to use historic tax credits to revitalize cities and serve as anchors for larger neighborhood revitalization projects. Using those tax credits is complicated and requires a lot of experience and expertise – that means City Hall really needs to put time and effort into organizing it. As Mayor, I am going to be a more energetic and engaged leader, who can deliver a city government capable of these higher degree-of-difficulty projects.

 

5) The City often holds tax-foreclosed buildings and surplus municipal buildings for several years, during which the structures deteriorate from lack of care. For example, the City foreclosed in 2009 on the historic Chapman & Brooks Block at 135 Lyman Street. The building is now in far worse condition than when acquired by the City. The Chestnut Junior High school was inadequately secured when it was destroyed by an arson fire.

What would you as a mayor do to ensure that vacant municipally-owned buildings are secured and maintained while awaiting disposition?

Justin Hurst: Allowing buildings to rot and be destroyed through neglect is embarrassing. What it represents
is an administration that just doesn’t value historic buildings and hasn’t done enough to integrate them into his vision for how Springfield moves forward. Under my administration, the city will care for our publicly owned resources – whether that’s our parks or buildings the city has come to own through foreclosure.