SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) — The owner of a historic duplex in western Massachusetts has demolished the structure almost eight years after a severe fire and a lengthy court battle.
The Springfield Republican reports Long Wharf Financial, owners of the home on State Street in Springfield, recently obtained an elusive demolition permit from the city and tore down the building.
The home, located in the city’s Quadrangle-Mattoon Street Local Historic District, was constructed in 1872.
A January 2008 blaze irreparably damaged the home, which had been boarded up since.
Officials say the past three owners of the property attempted to gain permission to demolish it, but were blocked by the Springfield Historical Commission and Western District Housing Court.
The demolition permit was approved after the building was declared a public safety hazard.
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less