The land is a vacant parcel bordered by West Main, Grove and Oak streets; it was being considered as a location for a new police station.
CHICOPEE — Citing concerns about potential lawsuits and possible contamination, the City Council has rejected a proposal to purchase a 2.5-acre parcel of land next to the former Uniroyal factory campus for a second time.
Mayor Michael D. Bissonnette proposed spending $280,000 to take the land bordered by West Main, Grove and Oak streets by eminent domain. The property was being considered as a location for a new police station.
The property, once owned by Facemate Corp., was acquired by Yves Demers as part of a tax settlement. Demers has since had it zoned for residential use, subdivided it into building lots and recently applied for a building permit to construct one duplex on the land.
When the City Council initially rejected the proposal, it was mainly over concerns about the cost, since it had been turned over to Demers for $90,000. But Karen T. Betournay, the city lawyer, explained the property was appraised at $280,000 by professionals, but has been assessed at $435,100 for tax purposes. The assessed value is higher because it was subdivided.
City councilors rejected the proposal in a 9-4 vote in June. It since met in closed session to discuss the issue with Betournay and this week it rejected it 10-1.
“I don’t have any appetite for taking any other contaminated property. I say let them build,” said City Councilor Timothy S. McLellan.
The property, which has no buildings on it, is believed to have been used as a parking lot for the Facemate or adjacent Uniroyal property. The land has not been tested by the city, so it is uncertain if it is contaminated. The city has been trying to clean up contamination from the Uniroyal factory campus and have the buildings demolished so the property can be redeveloped.
Councilor John L. Vieau said it has to be contaminated in some way because there are some limits now on how the property can be used, including that it cannot be farmed.
Councilor William M. Zaskey, who cast the sole vote to buy the land, said the land once belonged to the about 72-acre parcel that includes the Uniroyal and Facemate property.
“I think the 2.5 acres is an important part of the redevelopment of Uniroyal,” he said. “I think it is a good investment for the city, and I think it will be an asset for the city.”
Councilor James K. Tillotson disagreed. He said he is especially concerned that the city is planning to take the parcel for $280,000 while Demers has been paying taxes on land assessed at $435,100.
“I think it will end up going to court,” he said.
Tillotson also argued there are other 2.5-acre parcels in other spots in the city that could be used for the new police station and could be taken by eminent domain for the same amount or less and would be less problematic.