The former Vibra Hospital site at 1400 State St.
Reminder Publishing file photo
SPRINGFIELD — Drivers and neighbors along the State Street corridor may see some changes at the former Vibra Hospital, now that the company has entered into a legally binding agreement to clean the brush, debris and vegetation at the site. The agreement, negotiated with the city in Housing Court, is the latest in Springfield’s two-year litigation against Vibra Health Real Estate Company II, LLC.
In 2023, Vibra Healthcare abandoned the nearly 13-acre property, once the site of Springfield City Hospital. The city had intended to purchase the property with hopes that it would be developed into housing. However, the deteriorating conditions of the building and grounds led Springfield to sue the owners in 2024 to address what it saw as public safety issues.
“The threat of public safety is two-fold, access by the public and students into the building and the dangers to firefighter and police officers if having to respond to a fire or activity in the building,” Buoniconti said in an email to Reminder Publishing.
Buoniconti said the condition of the building exterior and grounds had grown over the summer. “We at first were only aware of the overgrown grass, vines and trees but there is also dumping concerns,” he said.
The new agreement calls for a court-approved vendor to provide an estimate for the cost of the clean-up. Vibra will pay that figure to the city, which will hire a private contractor to complete the work. Buoniconti said the city’s goal is to have the work completed within the next month, with a hard deadline of Nov. 9, to line up with the next scheduled case review.
The previous agreement between the city and the company is still in effect. It requires the building be secured and there by a constant security detail to ensure there is no illegal access. “Apparently, even with the detail, people are dumping at the site,” Buoniconti said.
In a press release on the matter, Mayor Domenic Sarno stated, “Although we continue to hold Vibra accountable in court, I am disappointed that once again we are having these discussions with them and that they cannot maintain their property — our residents and neighborhood should not have to deal with this quality-of-life issue.”
Sarno added, “The current conditions of overgrowth are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. As we continue with our ongoing court hearings and discussions with Vibra the City will continue to monitor the situation and hold Vibra accountable and make sure that their site is cleaned up.”
The solicitor warned, “If the terms are violated, the City will pursue contempt of court charges against Vibra.”
Reminder Publishing reached out to Vibra Health Real Estate Company II, LLC for comment, but did not hear back by press time.


