Give credit where it's due: Springfield state reps Angelo Puppolo and Sean Curran may not have proven to be giant killers last week, but at least they attempted something many in Massachusetts political circles apparently don't have the stomach for—taking on their seemingly all-powerful colleague Tommy Petrolati.
At issue was the protracted dispute over where to site a state data center, expected to create an estimated 50 jobs. In one camp are those who support putting the center at the long-vacant former Tech High School on Elliot Street. That plan has a long list of backers, including U.S. Rep. Richie Neal, former Mayor Charlie Ryan (who was in office when the battle began back in 2006), the Finance Control Board and the City Council, which voted unanimously in favor of using Tech in 2006. Also on board are the Chamber of Commerce, local preservation and neighborhood groups and neighboring institutions like MassMutual, the Roman Catholic and Episcopal Dioceses and the Springfield Museums Association.
On the other side of the fight is a camp in favor of putting the center at the technology park at Springfield Technical Community College. While this side's ranks are notably thinner, it does include the name of the one who, thus far, seems to be winning the battle: Petrolati, a Democrat from Ludlow.
Supporters of the Tech High site point to a 2006 report by two state agencies that found the former school was a better site for the center. While the STCC site "theoretically could work," the report noted, its space and systems were "not well suited" to the center's needs and would need $42 million in renovations; in addition, the state would have to pay rent—$1 million a year, by one report—to the business park. STCC officials countered that the renovation costs would be closer to $30 million.
The report estimated that renovations to Tech would cost about $41 million (a figure disputed by Petrolati, who claimed costs would be closer to $58 million). Tech backers, however, note that the city would give the building to the state for free, and say the rent-free status at the school would more than offset any initial construction costs.
But an undaunted Petrolati has insisted the STCC park is a better match for the center. And to get it there, he's willing to exert the considerable political pressure he possesses, courtesy of his uncanny ability to align himself with the legislative powers-that-be of the moment, like Sal DiMasi, who, upon becoming House Speaker in 2004, gifted Petrolati for his support by creating for him the position of "speaker pro tempore."
Earlier this year, Petrolati moved to secure the center for STCC by inserting into the bond bill that would pay for the $78 million center language that restricted the center to STCC only. Last Thursday, Curran and Puppolo, both Springfield Democrats, introduced an amendment to strip Petrolati's site-specific language from the bill and leave the decision to Gov. Deval Patrick. They lost by a vote of 113-36; among those siding with Petrolati were fellow Reps. Ben Swan and Cheryl Coakley-Rivera, whose districts both include STCC. The bond bill then passed unanimously.
It's no mystery why Neal and other local leaders are anxious to put the center at Tech High. Right now, the vacant school is a major black eye in the neighborhood, which over the past couple of years has seen an influx of more than $80 million in federal money—courtesy of Neal—to build the new federal courthouse and make other improvements along the State Street corridor. Backers say putting the center in Tech would help further stabilize the area, where they hope to see renewed economic activity.
Critics (who notably decline to speak on the record) suggest Petrolati's insistence on bringing the center to STCC has less to do with the virtues of that site and more to do with a desire to prop up the park with public money. The park, created by the Legislature as a small-business incubator, has had troubles of late: a 2007 report projected a half-million deficit for that fiscal year. While officials insisted the park was healthy, a large tenant like the data center—with rent guaranteed by the state—would be a major shot in the arm.
Intensifying the fight is some good old-fashioned political animosity. Ryan and Petrolati were far from allies, and a source familiar with the process says Petrolati was insulted that the mayor and Neal did not include him in early decision-making about the center. There's also a good deal of resentment over the fact that Petrolati—"this guy from Ludlow," as one source put it—is wielding so much power over a Springfield project.
But wield it Petrolati does, thanks to his Statehouse connections and the general sense that those who take him on will feel his wrath. The next to take that dare will be state Sen. Gale Candaras, who is expected to introduce her own amendment, similar to Curran's and Puppolo's, when the bond bill reaches the Senate. It's unclear how it will fare there, although it's worth noting that at least one former Tech High supporter—Sen. Steve Buoniconti—declined comment when asked by the Springfield Republican last week for his thoughts on the matter. Mayor Domenic Sarno, who voted for the Tech High site while on the City Council, is now silent on the issue, too.
mturner@valleyadvocate.com
