A former U.S. Army reserve center in western Massachusetts is being turned into a facility for law enforcement activity.
The Springfield Police Department will use the former military base as a youth detention center, a base for the tactical response unit, long-term storage for evidence, and a training academy.
Police Commissioner John Barbieri said the department’s police academy has been without a permanent home for several years.
"Having the type of facilities required( to train) modern day policing for a modern day society is quintessential and this will allow us to do that," said Barbieri.
Congressman Richard Neal helped convince the Pentagon to transfer the center to the city for no charge after it was determined the military no longer needed it.
The city will spend $12 million to renovate the buildings.
