Florence Community Center may go up for sale

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - Northampton city officials are considering the sale of the Florence Community Center. 

City Councilor David Murphy told 22News the Florence Re-Use Committee and Northampton's Finance Committee have been working together to figure out the future of the aging building.

Since 1992, the city has leased spaces inside the building to a number of artists, small businesses and non-profit organizations.  But maintaining the building has been a challenge. 

Steve Unkles rents office space for his Audio-Visual Archive business and says the building is not handicap accessible. Unkles says investments will also be needed to upgrade heating systems. 

The Florence Re-Use Committee is now considering selling the property. Unkles says he hopes prospective buyers consider those tenants who currently occupy the center.

“You know whatever is going to happen, hopefully it's going to be fair in the end,” said Unkles. “If a developer comes in, and that's their vision and it ends up pricing everyone out of here; that would be unfortunate.”

Councilor Murphy says selling the center is only an option at the moment.  Both committees are scheduled to meet at the end of the month. At that time, they will present their recommendations to the city.