Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Issues RFP for New Springfield Justice Center

Springfield, MA — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the purchase of property for a state-of-the-art court complex that the state previously announced it will build in Springfield.

The RFP, issued by the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM), on behalf of the Massachusetts Trial Court, invites owners of parcels with at least two developable acres within the City of Springfield to submit a proposal by January 31, 2024. DCAMM encourages all interested owners to submit proposals.

“In addition to meeting practical judicial needs, the Springfield Justice Center will be a civic monument for the local community,” said DCAMM Commissioner Adam Baacke. “We look forward to identifying the right location for this important project that will catalyze continued growth and development in the City and demonstrate our commitment to decarbonization.”

“We are grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and DCAMM for recognizing the significance of this new courthouse to our judges, employees and court users,” said Trial Court Chief Justice Jeffrey A. Locke. “We look forward to continued partnership with DCAMM as this project progresses.”

“The new Springfield Justice Center will further the Trial Court’s mission of delivering justice with dignity and speed,” said Trial Court Administrator Thomas Ambrosino. “We are pleased that this RFP will advance our goal of providing a state-of-the-art courthouse in Springfield to serve the third largest city in the Commonwealth and the communities of Hampden County.” 

Upon the closing of the RFP response period on January 31, 2024, DCAMM and the Massachusetts Trial Court will evaluate each submitted proposal relative to the RFP criteria, which fall into three categories: site characteristics and context compatible with a Justice Center; complexity and length of time of acquisition; and acquisition costs and financial benefits to the Commonwealth. DCAMM will then identify the most advantageous location to pursue and will conduct further review and due diligence of the selected site before purchasing the property and preparing for construction. The ranking in the Springfield site assessment (Springfield Courts Complex Relocation Assessment) released in May 2023 has no bearing on this RFP process or the ensuing proposal review, and no site has been prioritized or ruled out.

The Springfield Justice Center is intended to incorporate the Hampden County Superior Court, the Springfield District Court, the Hampden Probate and Family Court, the Western Housing Court, the Hampden Juvenile Court, the Hampden District Attorney, and the Hampden County Registry of Deeds.

DCAMM is accepting questions from interested property owners about the requirements of the Springfield Justice Center RFP until 2:00 PM on December 13, 2023. Questions must be submitted via email to springfieldacqrfp.dcamm@mass.gov. DCAMM will endeavor to answer relevant and appropriate questions, and any responses will be posted on the DCAMM website.

About DCAMM

The Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance works with state agencies to create and manage forward-thinking, sustainable buildings to meet the needs of the citizens they serve. DCAMM partners with fellow agencies to help them meet their strategic needs with fiscally responsible building and real estate solutions and supports the growth of the Commonwealth’s economy by actively engaging with private sector partners to make it easier to do business with the Commonwealth.

About the Massachusetts Trial Court

The Massachusetts Trial Court operates under the general superintendence of the Supreme Judicial Court and includes seven court departments – Boston Municipal Court, District Court, Housing Court, Juvenile Court, Land Court, Probate and Family Court, and Superior Court. The Chief Justice of the Trial Court and the Trial Court Administrator oversee the court departments, as well as the Massachusetts Probation Service and the Office of Jury Commissioner. The Trial Court has 385 authorized judicial positions and has more than 6,400 employees who deliver justice in 94 courthouses across the state.

###