Weekly Update from Attorney Robert Warren (City Law Dept.):
The City's relocation consultant, Steve Mollica received an after hours call, at the beginning of the week, from Henry Thomas (CEO, Springfield Urban League), indicating that he was traveling but would be in contact. Henry Thomas did call Steve Molica at the end of the week to provide him with a brief update.
That update was that the Urban League was in conversation with Springfield Technical Community College and the owners of property at 644 State Street and 503 State St. , as well as one other undisclosed location. Henry Thomas indicated that the Urban League plans to come up with a short list of three properties, for an internal committee to review and make recommendations.
The Planning and Economic Development Department has also provided the name of a local real estate agent, Robert Greeley, to Steve Mollica. Robert Greeley indicated that he believes he has a couple of suitable sites for the Urban League. Steve Mollica will be discussing those sites with Robert Greeley next week.
Meanwhile, I have been meeting with Steve Jablonski, and we are still targeting November, 2010 for the opening of the full-service Mason Square Branch, that still requires that the Urban League vacate the building by the end of May .
Please contact me , if you have any questions.
Molly Fogarty, Director, Springfield City Library
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
MSL Weekly Update
Robert Warren (City Law Dept.)sent the following update:
The following is the weekly update of the Law Department on the status of 765 State St.
The City's relocation consultant, Mr. Mollica, is waiting for a return call from Mr. Thomas today to review the status of any potential and/or new replacement sites. As you will recall, Mr. Thomas and Mr. Mollica had agreed to talk today. Mr. Mollica did pass along 443 State Street, the former Kavanaugh Furniture Store to Mr. Thomas, at the beginning of the week. Mr. Thomas replied that he is aware of the site and had previously been inside the building. Mr. Thomas felt that the building was much too large for the Urban League's needs. Mr. Molica will be contacting the City's Planning and Economic Development office to see if they have any more suggestions.
I have been in contact with Steve Jablonski., he has submitted his proposal for architectural services to Pat Sullivan and the contract is in process. We have asked to have a Notice to Proceed, from City Purchasing, to begin work as soon as possible.
Please let me know, if you have any questions.
Molly Fogarty - Director, Springfield City Library
The following is the weekly update of the Law Department on the status of 765 State St.
The City's relocation consultant, Mr. Mollica, is waiting for a return call from Mr. Thomas today to review the status of any potential and/or new replacement sites. As you will recall, Mr. Thomas and Mr. Mollica had agreed to talk today. Mr. Mollica did pass along 443 State Street, the former Kavanaugh Furniture Store to Mr. Thomas, at the beginning of the week. Mr. Thomas replied that he is aware of the site and had previously been inside the building. Mr. Thomas felt that the building was much too large for the Urban League's needs. Mr. Molica will be contacting the City's Planning and Economic Development office to see if they have any more suggestions.
I have been in contact with Steve Jablonski., he has submitted his proposal for architectural services to Pat Sullivan and the contract is in process. We have asked to have a Notice to Proceed, from City Purchasing, to begin work as soon as possible.
Please let me know, if you have any questions.
Molly Fogarty - Director, Springfield City Library
Friday, March 12, 2010
MSL Weekly Update
Robert Warren (City Law Dept.) sent the following update:
Mr. Thomas also reported that he was actively pursuing three other potential sites, two of which were confidential. The other site was the former KFC Administrative Building at 644 State Street. He noted that the site was currently being used as temporary space by the MLK Jr. Charter School which would be in the building through the end of the current school year.
Mr. Mollica stated that the Urban League was conscious of the time constraints and were doing their due diligence with regard to replacement sites. Mr. Mollica and Mr. Thomas have agreed to talk again next week with regard to the status of any potential or new sites.
Molly Fogarty, Director
Springfield City Library
I am again providing this update on behalf of Ed Pikula. Steven Mollica spoke this week with Henry Thomas regarding potential relocation sites. With regard to the sites provided to the Urban League through the City's Office of Planning and Economic Development, as well as additional sites identified by the Urban League, the Urban League has made the following assessments and comments:
- Holy Family Church 235 Eastern Ave-poor location and conversion issues.
- Mosque 727 State St.--too big and potential costly building improvement issues.
- Dickinson Funeral Home--305 State St.--did not check out , but not preferable area.
- Verizon Building- 365 State St.--too big and limited parking.
- 503 State Street ( next to Burger King)-potential, but too large by itself-space potential is good.
- Former Open Pantry-287 State St.--access to clientele issues.
- Masonic Temple-very concerned with cost to maintain and carry.
- Mason Sq. Firestation-issues with location-accessibility and parking.
- MCDI property-140 Wilbraham-concerned that timing would not work-MCDI not ready to leave.
- Property owned by AIC on Mulberry Street as possible build, but AIC wants lot for parking.
- Former Hampden Dodge by Mass Mutual, too big as is and possible retrofit and contamination issues.
Mr. Thomas also reported that he was actively pursuing three other potential sites, two of which were confidential. The other site was the former KFC Administrative Building at 644 State Street. He noted that the site was currently being used as temporary space by the MLK Jr. Charter School which would be in the building through the end of the current school year.
Mr. Mollica stated that the Urban League was conscious of the time constraints and were doing their due diligence with regard to replacement sites. Mr. Mollica and Mr. Thomas have agreed to talk again next week with regard to the status of any potential or new sites.
Molly Fogarty, Director
Springfield City Library
Saturday, March 6, 2010
MSL Weekly Updates
February 26, 2010: I met with Ed Pikula and Steve Mollica , the Relocation Consultant. A meeting has been set up with Henry Thomas next week to discuss the timeline for vacating the building. We are still planning for a November opening, and a May occupancy.
There is a major roof leak in the building. City facilities have been working on a temporary fix, until the roof can be replaced.
Attorney Robert Warren will be attending the Library Commission meeting on Wednesday, March 3 at 5:30 in the Central Library Community Room to answer questions. - Molly Fogarty, Interim Director, Springfield City Library
March 5, 2010: I am forwarding the update from the Law Department. I have received the personal property inventory and am planning to go to Mason Square on Monday to verify the report for accuracy and any potential issues. There is progress!!
"On behalf of Ed Pikula I am providing the weekly report. It is short but positive. The Urban League has furnished its personal property inventory. Our relocation consultant will be reviewing the report, with the assistance of Lee Fogarty, attorney Warren and the City's appraiser, Jim Fisher, for accuracy and any potential issues. The relocation consultant, Steven Mollica received a call from Mr.. Thomas at the beginning of the week. Mr.. Thomas acknowledged that the City's timeline for the Urban League to vacate was the end of May. He also informed Mr.. Mollica that he was completing an assessment of replacement sites, as well as working with an internal committee with on potential replacement sites. Mr.. Thomas told Mr.. Mollica that he would be prepared to discuss replacement sites with him at the beginning of next week via a telephone conference. - Bob Warren"
- Molly Fogarty, Interim Director, Springfield City Library
There is a major roof leak in the building. City facilities have been working on a temporary fix, until the roof can be replaced.
Attorney Robert Warren will be attending the Library Commission meeting on Wednesday, March 3 at 5:30 in the Central Library Community Room to answer questions. - Molly Fogarty, Interim Director, Springfield City Library
March 5, 2010: I am forwarding the update from the Law Department. I have received the personal property inventory and am planning to go to Mason Square on Monday to verify the report for accuracy and any potential issues. There is progress!!
"On behalf of Ed Pikula I am providing the weekly report. It is short but positive. The Urban League has furnished its personal property inventory. Our relocation consultant will be reviewing the report, with the assistance of Lee Fogarty, attorney Warren and the City's appraiser, Jim Fisher, for accuracy and any potential issues. The relocation consultant, Steven Mollica received a call from Mr.. Thomas at the beginning of the week. Mr.. Thomas acknowledged that the City's timeline for the Urban League to vacate was the end of May. He also informed Mr.. Mollica that he was completing an assessment of replacement sites, as well as working with an internal committee with on potential replacement sites. Mr.. Thomas told Mr.. Mollica that he would be prepared to discuss replacement sites with him at the beginning of next week via a telephone conference. - Bob Warren"
- Molly Fogarty, Interim Director, Springfield City Library
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