IG Shapiro Votes No on Springfield Courthouse Proposal

Inspector General Jeffrey S. Shapiro voted this afternoon against approving the Springfield Regional Justice Center proposal out of concern that the bidding process will not be fair and competitive.  IG Shapiro is a member of the Asset Management Board, which reviews and approves proposed projects that involve the long-term lease of real estate assets held by state agencies.

“I do not dispute the need for a new building and that the current courthouse poses health and safety risks to those who must use the building,” Shapiro said.  “However, numerous public statements by public officials dating back to 2022, seem to be steering the proposal to a specific site and developer, which could have a chilling effect on competition. I hope that my no vote provides clarity of what must be done to ensure that a truly open, fair and competitive process results.”

IG Shapiro was the lone no vote and the proposal was approved by the Asset Management Board.

The Office of the Inspector General issued a report, The Star Store 20-Year Lease – A Lack of Shared Vision and Collective Accountability Wastes Millions in Public Dollars, in September, which highlighted problems associated with long-term lease agreements between the Commonwealth and a private developer.

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