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Architect urges help to protect Mill Street School as adaptive reuse proceeds
Summary
Architect Jennifer (Jenna) Bley told the Springfield Economic Development Agency the Mill Street School building — now listed on the National Register — is under adaptive reuse into 40 apartments and requested limited financial assistance to fix vandalism damage; she said she will submit a formal letter requesting support.
During the public-comment period, architect Jennifer (who identified herself as Jenna) Bley told the Springfield Economic Development Agency she discovered a candy-bar wrapper from the early 1930s inside the Mill Street School walls and described the building’s long history and current adaptive-reuse project.
"This is a candy bar wrapper found in the walls of the Mill Street School building... it says a tasty lunch for 5 cents," Bley said, using the artifact to underline the building’s age and community value. She said the building was constructed in 1921 and served as Springfield’s high school, then middle and elementary school, and later district administrative offices until 2017.
Bley told the board the project is now being adapted into 40 apartments while preserving the existing exterior and that the Mill Street School has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. She said the building has suffered vandalism over the past few years and that she has submitted a letter requesting limited financial assistance for hard-cost repairs (excluding contractor overhead or profit) to mitigate vandalism damage.
Bley asked the board to consider the request and offered to share the artifact with members after the meeting. The board took no immediate action on the request and asked staff to note the comment for follow-up; Bley said she will provide a formal letter and supporting materials in the coming weeks.
