The ordinance, if passed, would prevent the demolition of century-old buildings in Springfield unless a public hazard or the owner gets approval from the Historical Commission.
SPRINGFIELD — The City Council recently gave first-step approval to an ordinance that would prevent the demolition of buildings that are a century old or older for a 12-month period, unless they are deemed to be a public hazard or qualify for an exemption.
The ordinance was forwarded for council review by the Historical Commission, with the stated purpose of “preserving and protecting significant buildings within the City of Springfield which constitute or reflect distinctive features of the architectural, cultural, economic, political or social history of the city and to limit the detrimental effect of demolition on the character of the city.” It is hoped that during the holding period, some alternative to demolition could be found, officials said.
Historical Commission Chairman Ralph Slate said there is “tremendous architectural history” in the city.
“We have properties that have not been protected by historic districts for various reasons,” Slate said. “We don’t want to see them demolished without at least a conversation taking place beforehand.”
If the ordinance gains final approval in December, the building commissioner would not issue any permit for demolition of any “preferably preserved building,” defined as a building that is 100 years old or older, or any building listed as being within a district on the National Register of Historic Places.
Emergency demolition would still be allowed, in cases of public safety hazards, Historical Commission member Robert McCarroll said.
The ordinance would not affect a casino overlay zone in Springfield if finalized for a three-block casino project proposed by MGM Resorts International.
Furthermore, the owner of a building could petition the Historical Commission for an exemption, which the commission could choose to grant or deny, under the ordinance, McCarroll said. More than 100 communities have a similar ordinance aimed at preserving historically significant buildings including Northampton and Holyoke, he said.
During the proposed 12-month hold on demolition in Springfield, the commission could determine if the building should be designated as a historic district, the ordinance states. The Our Lady of Hope Church on Armory Street was designated as a historic district more than three years ago, a single-building designation that was upheld by the U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals.
Councilor Timothy Allen said it is unfortunate when historically significant buildings such as the W.H. Allis House on the campus of Mercy Medical Center, are demolished. Sisters of Providence Health Systems attempted to find a developer to save the building, but it was deemed unfeasible in June, and the building was demolished.
“This (ordinance) is intended to give us a better chance,” said Allen, who was joined by Councilor Melvin Edwards as the lead sponsors.
“This is a strong measure,” Councilor Bud L. Williams said.
Councilor John Lysak said the city’s older architecture is one of the “most amazing things about Springfield.”