SPRINGFIELD -- Local officials announced Monday that Springfield has received a final settlement of $25 million in federal disaster aid for the 2011 tornado, with the money set to be used for major projects including a new senior center at Blunt Park and a new South End Community Center.
In addition, funds will be used for the renovation and expansion of the Clifford Phaneuf environmental science center at Forest Park.
Mayor Domenic Sarno and U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, announced the settlement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, culminating more than 2 years of negotiations and appeals following the tornado of June 1, 2011.
Sarno said he pledged to go after “every dime due to our city,” with that determined approach and “attention to detail” leading to a successful application for reimbursement for city-related costs and damages, aided by his top advisers, a hired consultant, and Neal .
The latest announcement brings the total amount of disaster aid for Springfield, in state and federal grants and reimbursements to approximately $90 million, Sarno said.
The $90 million includes $21.8 million in federal Community Development Block Grant funds for its disaster recovery. The funds were awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The city also is slated to received 100 percent state reimbursement for a new, $27.9 million Elias Brookings School, currently under construction, and the completed $15.1 million in renovations to the Mary A. Dryden Veterans Memorial School. Both were struck by the tornado with Brookings deemed to be damaged beyond repair, and Dryden needing renovations and a new wing.
The city, in its FEMA application process, had to identify alternative projects that reimbursements would be used for, and seek approval from FEMA, according to the city's announcement. Thus, as allowed by FEMA, the funds could be used for projects not directly affected by the tornado.
The new senior center is expected to cost $12 million, and consist of approximately 43,000 square feet of programming and office space.
The South End Community Center is planned at Emerson Wight Park in the South End, and has an estimated $8 million cost.
The environmental center renovation-expansion is estimated to cost $2.75 million, and will include major energy-savings improvements..
In addition, the city will use funds for renovations of the former Arthur MacArthur Army Reserve Center at 50 East St., to be used by the Police Department for various purposes.
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