The state Appeals Court ruled that the current 25-year lease violated the state's public competitive bidding laws.
The Thomas J. O' Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center on Cottage Street in Springfield.SPRINGFIELD – The city, whose long-term lease at the regional animal control center on Cottage Street was invalidated by a 2009 court ruling, is planning to seek proposals for a new lease that will open up the process to any developer able to meet the city’s requirements.
Under a request for proposals not yet finalized, the city will seek a developer able to provide an animal control center either in an existing building, or a newly constructed building, or a renovated building providing that any site proposed must meet the city’s technical specifications, said Kathleen T. Breck, deputy city solicitor.
The animal shelter will remain at its current site, the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center on Cottage Street, pending the outcome of the new request for proposals process.
Former Mayor Michael J. Albano had signed a 25-year lease with Monarch Enterprises LLC in 2002, deemed the low bidder among four proposals, leading to construction of the current animal control center. That lease however, was challenged by 10 taxpayers in 2003.
After the city initially won a favorable decision in Superior Court, the state Appeals Court ruled in 2009 that the city did not comply with the state’s public competitive bidding laws in construction of the center.
The state Supreme Judicial Court upheld the Appeals Court decision.
The developer chosen by the city will be required to comply with all competitive public bidding laws in procuring project management and design services, and the construction/renovation services of a regional center, Breck said.
The city has been conferring with the state Attorney General’s office on the new process, City Solicitor Edward M. Pikula said.
The Appeals Court ruling did not prohibit the city from remaining at the current site, pending a new procurement process, Breck said.
Paul Picknelly, manager of Monarch Enterprises, said Monarch will be among the bidders on the new lease, and hopes to keep the city as a tenant in the existing 22,739-square-foot building.
The specifications will include minimum building space and design requirements to serve regional animal control needs, Breck said.
Under the agreement with Monarch Enterprises, the city has paid an annual lease of $380,000 for the first 10 years, which was set to increase in future years tied to inflation. At various intervals, the city had the option to buy the building.
The rent was reduced the past two years in light of the city’s budget hardships, Picknelly said. The city budgeted $261,650 this fiscal year for the annual rent.
Springfield is the lead community in the regional animal control program, which also involves Holyoke and Chicopee.
Participating communities pay $2.60 per capita for the program, while Springfield is responsible for covering any shortfall in funds.