SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno renewed public appeals this week for aggressive action to secure the vacant Vibra Hospital property on State Street after the site drew repeated emergency responses and a major blaze in May.
City leaders cite safety risks, repeated responses
City and fire officials say the abandoned hospital has generated serious safety concerns. The Springfield Fire Department had responded to the property 18 times over a two-year period, and the site was the scene of a three-alarm fire in May. Retired Fire Commissioner BJ Calvi described the building as a “firefighter killer” because of its complex layout and locked doors.
“And to think this once was a place of healing, now it’s turned into a jungle!...The owners and management have simply walked away from the property, which is inexcusable,”
Sarno said he has asked multiple city offices to press the matter, requesting follow-ups from the Office of Planning and Economic Development, the Law Department, and Building and Code Enforcement. The mayor’s statement framed the issue as both a public-safety hazard and a failure of property management.
Legal remedies have been threatened before
Legal action over the condition of the property has been discussed previously. The story notes that owners missed a court-ordered deadline to secure the building, and city officials have threatened enforcement steps in the past, including in the summer of 2024 and again this spring.
The property’s owners were contacted for comment but had not responded, according to reporting.
- Fire Department responses: 18 over two years
- Notable incident: three-alarm fire in May
- City action: Mayor requested follow-ups from three city departments
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Emergency responses | 18 (over two-year period) |
| Major incident | Three-alarm fire in May |
Local impact and enforcement options
Abandoned buildings with complex interiors and unsecured access present risks for first responders and for neighbors. Fire officials have emphasized that locked doors, multiple levels and maze-like hallways increase danger during emergencies. For Springfield residents living or working near State Street, the concerns are both immediate — a hazard that could trigger future fires or injuries — and longer-term, in terms of neighborhood blight and property values.
City departments named by the mayor have several enforcement tools available under municipal code and state law, including orders to secure buildings, fines, receivership petitions and civil litigation to compel repairs or demolition. The mayor’s request for follow-ups indicates the administration is pursuing those avenues; the extent and timing of any legal filings were not disclosed in the available reporting.
Next steps and community questions
Authorities will likely face questions from the public about timelines and accountability: when the building will be secured, what penalties owners may face for missing court deadlines, and whether the city will pursue receivership or other court remedies if owners remain unresponsive. Residents and business owners along State Street will be watching municipal updates closely for signs that the property will be made safe.
For now, the mayor’s renewed calls place pressure on property owners and signal that Springfield’s administration is prioritizing enforcement and interdepartmental coordination on the issue. The city’s next public notices or filings should clarify whether enforcement escalates beyond statements and requests.
Reporting for this story relied on statements and incident figures provided by local news outlets and city officials; the property owners did not respond to requests for comment.
