Sarno sounds off on courthouse decision

Mayor Domenic Sarno speaks at City Hall following the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance’s decision to develop a new courthouse on Liberty Street.
Reminder Publishing photo by Chris Maza

SPRINGFIELD — Days before the Fourth of July, Mayor Domenic Sarno provided his own display of verbal fireworks, taking aim at state officials’ decision to place a new courthouse on Liberty Street.

On July 2, the state’s Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance announced the selection of the Liberty Junction Team to replace the aging Roderick J. Ireland Courthouse with a new regional justice center at 125 Liberty St.

The $600 million project calls for a six-story, L-shaped building located in close proximity to Union Station and Interstate 291. To accomplish this, the currently vacant Liberty Medical Arts Building will be demolished, and the new building will be erected across that property and a 2.2-acre piece of property on Frank B. Murray Street.

“After a thorough and competitive procurement process with several strong proposals, the Liberty Junction Team emerged as the best value proposal in the eyes of the Trial Court,” said DCAMM Commissioner Adam Baacke. “Their experience, an efficient layout that effectively meets functional and security requirements, a downtown location that can catalyze revitalization, and the project’s comparative cost savings make this an excellent outcome for the commonwealth and the Springfield community.”

At a press conference following the announcement, flanked by Chief Development Officer Tim Sheehan, Sarno blasted “Boston power brokers” for “going on the cheap” and failing to deliver what he believed could have been a transformative development for the city.

The mayor has been a vocal advocate for a North End riverfront project pitched by Peter Picknelly through his Opal development company in 2022 that would have included a courthouse, a mixed-use development with 120 to 180 one-and two-bedroom apartments and a first floor designated for retail and restaurants, and a 50-slip marina.

Repeatedly stating that his administration was led to believe by Baacke that DCAMM was looking for a “game-changing” project, Sarno said the “one-dimensional” Liberty Street proposal was the opposite and a missed opportunity.

He also decried the state’s decision to partner with outside developers, pointing to the riverfront proposal and a separate bid for a Dwight Street development by Balise Auto Sales President Jeb Balise and Tom Dennis, president of the Dennis Engineering Group, as viable projects with established project labor agreements. Balise’s team has already been demolishing properties on Lyman Street to prepare the site.

Sarno and Sheehan said it was their belief that those two locally driven proposals were finalists out of an initial group of 11, along with Liberty Junction, whose development group includes Virginia-based FD Stonewater and Boston-based Suffolk Construction. A representative from DCAMM told Reminder Publishing that the three projects discussed were finalists, along with Greatland Realty Partners’ bid to redevelop 1860 Main St., the current site of The Republican’s headquarters and 6 Brick’s cannabis dispensary.

“This is not the game-changing project. This is not the best project for the city of Springfield. Local developers were shunned. Once again, it’s Boston power brokers telling Springfield what to do.”

Mayor Domenic Sarno

“This is not the game-changing project. This is not the best project for the city of Springfield,” Sarno said. “Local developers were shunned. Once again, it’s Boston power brokers telling Springfield what to do.”

Sarno added that he “respectfully didn’t mince any words” with state officials when he spoke with them.

Sarno reiterated his belief that the north riverfront proposal was ideal due to its viability as a “destination” mixed-use development spanning more than 14 undeveloped acres. Calling the Liberty Street plot “a postage stamp,” Sarno questioned issues such as parking at the site.

“I’m pissed off. I’m extremely disappointed. I just lost four developments in one,” he said.

When asked if the outcome would have been different for an eastern Massachusetts courthouse project, Sarno said with a chuckle, “Everything’s different in eastern Mass., right?”

Sheehan cut in and added, “I think the question would be is whether Boston would actually be taking a Springfield-based developer.”

Asked how he thought the Liberty Street area would be impacted by the new courthouse, Sarno huffed, “Not much. You’re going to have a high traffic area there. You’re going to have a quagmire of high traffic area.”

Asked if he would be speaking with the developers, Sarno said, “They’re going to have to do business with my administration.”

When asked what he would be asking for, he replied, “The world.”

Others praise progress

While Sarno was disappointed, other area officials applauded the fact that the project had taken the next step forward.

“Today’s announcement is welcome news, but it must be followed by action,” Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi said. “For too long, dedicated public servants have worked in a building plagued by serious environmental concerns, while respiratory illnesses and cancer have cast a shadow over the courthouse community. As we celebrate this milestone, we should also remember the many members of that community who never got to see this day, as well as those who continue to battle serious illnesses. The best way to honor them is to move this project forward as quickly as possible so future generations never have to question whether coming to work is putting their health at risk.”

Springfield City Councilor Michael Fenton praised the decision. Fenton represents Ward 2, which abuts the area in which the new courthouse will be constructed, and is a candidate for Governor’s Council.

He said, “Finally, after a decade of waiting, Western Massachusetts will have a new courthouse in our largest city. A new courthouse will require a renewed focus on fully funding and staffing our court system in Western Mass. This once in a generation project will also necessitate working collaboratively with the Governor and her team on fully realizing the economic development potential of this investment.”