SPRINGFIELD -- After multiple failed attempts, the city is once again seeking developers for two properties it owns: the former Oak Street fire station in Indian Orchard and a long-vacant downtown block on Lyman Street.
Brian Connors, the city's deputy director of economic development, said Tuesday that both properties have great potential if the right buyers can be found.
The two-story station, built in 1910, is at Oak and Berkshire Street.
Separately, the city is seeking to sell the six-story block is at 135-155 Lyman St., also built in 1910.
"Both of these are opportunities that have been out multiple times, but we believe with increased interest in Springfield now is a great time to seek proposals for these important properties," Connors said.
The city has attempted to sell the fire station five times in recent years.
In the last effort, the city received two competing proposals in August: one for a proposed live-in art studio, and the other to provide clinical services for opioid addiction.
Connors said a city review committee rejected both proposals, saying they did not meet the listed goals for the site. Each developer offered $100 for the property, and the city's criteria included that any reuse would need to fit in with the neighborhood and meet neighborhood goals.
The city is once again offering a $50,000 incentive to any selected bidder for the station property. The incentive, funded by the city's federal Community Development Block Grant allotment, is for exterior improvements such as roof repair, masonry repair and window repair, the city solicitation states.
"This is an important historic building in Indian Orchard and we think it has great potential," Connors said. "We are seeking a project that preserves and restores the building and a use that will complement the neighborhood."
The building has not been in use as a fire station for more than 10 years, and is currently used by the city for storage. It is being sold "as is," according to the city's request for proposals.
Proposals for either the fire station or the Lyman Street building are due by Jan. 16, at 2 p.m., at the city's Office of Procurement at City Hall.
The Lyman Street building drew no bidders in the last sale effort in 2017. Connors said the building is admittedly in "rough shape" due to years of water damage.
The redevelopment of the nearby Union Station, however, is hoped to help spur interest, Connors said.
"There has been much more interest in development downtown since the opening of Union Station and MGM Springfield," Connors said. "We're hopeful developers will see the opportunity that exists on Lyman Street, just a short walk to Union Station and commuter rail."
The Lyman Street property is zoned Industrial A, and includes the building and four adjacent lots, with a total area of 20,002 square feet. The city is requiring off-street parking, and the vacant lots provide an opportunity for that use, the city said.
City review committees will be established to evaluate any proposals received for the two city properties.
Conditions for the sale of the fire station property include a requirement for an "exterior preservation restriction." Under that restriction, the owner must obtain approval from the Springfield Historical Commission for any exterior alterations.
There is also a condition that the owner must get a certificate of occupancy within 18 months of the property transfer, or the property reverts back to the city.
The station property is zoned Residence B, and is on a 13,500 square foot lot. The building area is approximately 11,732 square feet.