By Paul Tuthill
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-975326.mp3
Springfield, MA – A public-private partnership has been set up in the city of Springfield Massachusetts to manage the tornado rebuilding efforts. Two local executives have volunteered to initially lead what will be a complex multi-year undertaking.. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports..
Almost a month after tornadoes tore a six mile path of destruction through Springfield, Mayor Domenic Sarno declared that a great comeback story is in the making. At a city hall news conference, Sarno announced that Gerald Hayes, vice president for administration and finance at Westfield State University, and Nicholas Fyntrilakis, a vice president with MassMatual will take charge of the initial planning and rebuilding efforts
Hayes and Fyntrilakis are being loaned by their respective employers to the city. Both will work without compensation for the Springfield Redevelopment Authority, and DevelopSpringfield, which have formalized a partnership to work on the tornado rebuilding.
Hayes, who has decades of experience in urban redevelopment efforts as through out Massachusetts and Connecticut as a public official, and later a consultant, said a master plan will be produced in about six months. He pledged an inclusive process.
But, Hayes said there is precedent to help map out Springfield's recovery.
Fyntrilakis, who is chairman of DevelopSpringfield, a three year old non-profit business development organization and a former Springfield School Committee member, said they'll be working to pull together the money that will be needed to rebuild Springfield. He said they'll look to federal, state and private sources of funding.
Springfield city officials say damage from the June 1st storms occurred in 8 of the city's 17 neighborhoods. More than two thousand buildings sustained significant damage. City inspectors condemned more than 200 properties and ordered the emergency demolition of 114 buildings.
There was also damage to schools, churches and public parks. The city lost 75 hundred mature trees..Springfield's Parks Commissioner Patrick Sullivan says the city is working with the US Forest Service on a plan to eventually plant new trees.
Mayor Sarno said Tuesday, he plans to appoint an advisory committee, including neighborhood representatives, to participate in the planning and implementation of the city's redevelopment.