1/6/25 – It’s been a while since we’re provided an update, but there is plenty to share about the first phase of the redevelopment of the former Park Street School in Springfield.
Let’s start outside. Adams Trucking & Excavating has started what will be several months of site work. Their initial focus will be on the lower area (the former Marsh Lot, which was cleaned up last year). They have taken down trees (which suddenly opens up the view to the downtown) and are starting the process for what will end up being a tiered parking area coming down from the building. Once spring arrives, the existing boiler house will be removed and the new entry to the building will go in that general area, being excavated to come in at ground level with the lower floor. The existing front of the site will also get a makeover after that as well as stormwater and other civil engineering improvements. Here are some exterior pics from today –
Inside the building, MP Environmental Services has been on site since October, conducting asbestos abatement as well as interior demolition, removing the drop ceilings and extra walls that had been installed over the years. This is revealing some of the architectural beauty of the building as well as bringing back some memories of how the classrooms used to look. For example, here’s the former library (which, in more recent years, housed several different offices) –
Here are some of the former classrooms, showing the areas that had been covered by the drop ceilings/window treatments –
A view of some of the arches in the original part of the building (the area we hope to convert into housing for the Black River Innovation Campus) –
And the suddenly open bottom floor area.
Bob in Park Street Bottom Floor (click link to play)
So, that’s where we are as of today. Material for the new electrical service for the building is on order and we recently received approval for the sprinkler and elevator plans as well as other code-related improvements. That scope of work will be out to bid momentarily. Work will be continuing for much of 2025, although we hope to have made substantial progress by the end of this summer.
Many thanks to the Mt Ascutney Regional Commission for their support and assistance with the various Federal and State funding sources (roughly $7 million), which includes 2 Congressionally Directed Spending awards (through HUD), support from the VT Agency of Commerce & Community Development (Community Recovery & Revitalization Program, Brownfield cleanup funding and Downtown Tax Credits) as well as the Northern Borders Regional Commission.