Allis Mansion could be saved from demolition

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Mercy Medical Center in Springfield has given its historic Allis Mansion a reprieve.

The Medical Center won't immediately tear down the 1867 landmark on their Carew Street campus. Instead, they will invite prospective developers to try to save the building, which has fallen into disrepair.

Public response to the panned demolition has been very critical, and Robert McCarroll of the Springfield Historical Commission told 22News that it shows the power that members of the public have.

“That's why they're willing to re-think it, because of all the people who called, e-mailed. They sent letters; including some people in elected office,” McCarroll said.

“The passion people have for the preservation of this type of architecture has really been impressive. So we hope we can do something along those lines,” Mercy Medical Center CEO Dan Moen said.

Unless Mercy Medical Center finds a developer willing to spend millions of dollars to repair the building, however, the Allis Mansion may yet be demolished.