Daily News

RFP Issued for Indian Orchard Property

SPRINGFIELD — The city of Springfield and the Springfield Redevelopment Authority have released a request for proposals (RFP) for more than 17 acres of land located on Pinevale Street in the Indian Orchard neighborhood of Springfield. The RFP was released on Dec. 3 and is available online through the city’s Office of Procurement website and at City Hall, Room 307.

“In the midst of $2.7 billion of economic activity in the city of Springfield, it is logical to market this property and attempt to add to the surging momentum being felt across the city,” said Mayor Domenic Sarno.

Added Kevin Kennedy, the city’s chief development officer, “with the success of the solar project immediately across the street, we believe there is a good opportunity for development at this site. It’s not often we have industrial-park-zoned sites of this size available in Springfield.”

Western Massachusetts Electric Co.’s 2.3-MW facility across the street from the property is an award-winning former brownfield site that has been transformed into one of the largest solar-energy facilities in the region. The Indian Orchard facility features 8,200 solar panels on 12 acres of land that formerly housed a Chapman Valve foundry.

The two development parcels being made available in the RFP were both historically part of the Chapman Valve complex as well, and are currently owned by the city of Springfield (parcel 09755-0086) and the Springfield Redevelopment Authority (parcel 09755-0070). This 17.675-acre site is close to the surrounding communities of Wilbraham, Ludlow, and Chicopee, and has easy access to Route 20, I-291, and I-90.

The RFP can be viewed at www3.springfield-ma.gov/finance/procurement. Proposals are due Jan. 15 at 2 p.m.