Money secured for Springfield school

SPRINGHFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The Springfield City Council Tuesday night unanimously approved a transfer of nearly two million dollars for the Forest Park Middle School Project Fund.

But the vote couldn't take place until Ward Six City Councilor Amaad Rivera got assurances that homeowners whose land would be taken for the project would receive fair reimbursement for their property.

Rivera told 22News, "An initiative I suggested was to ensure that we increase the allocated amount so people can negotiate up to at least their assessed values. We were able to approve. I was never in opposition to the project."

Patricia Triggs lives within view of Forest Park Middle School. She said, "I am thrilled we're going to have a historically complimentary building that internally is going to be 21st century, while the exterior will be complimentary to the 19th century neighborhood."

The Forest Park Middle School renovation and addition is a 32 million dollar project whose construction costs qualify for a 90 percent reimbursement from the state.