Judge hears arguments over who will build Springfield’s $2 billion courthouse

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- A judge heard arguments Tuesday in a legal fight over who will build Springfield’s new $2 billion courthouse.

Jeb Balise and Dinesh Patel, the losing bidders, argue that the procurement process was corrupted by conflicts of interest involving political insiders. The developers behind Liberty Junction, the winning bid, say the lawsuit is an attempt to delay the project.

The plaintiffs have claimed for weeks that developer John Barros had a conflict of interest during the bidding process. Barros argues that Balise and Patel have found “no actual evidence” and, therefore, have no case.

Although Barros withdrew from the project, the plaintiffs argue that the unfair advantage cannot be undone. They are asking the court to temporarily block the state from signing a long-term lease, saying the agreement would lock in irreversible commitments and set a precedent for the city.

In a joint statement submitted after the proceedings, the plaintiffs said, “Our commitment to the courthouse employees, to Springfield, and to Hampden County taxpayers is absolute. That’s why we believe a project of this importance needs a process that is fair, transparent, and follows the rules.”

The defense said the lawsuit has no merit and is an attempt to recoup a lost bid that would cost taxpayers $420 million more. They added Barros fully complied with ethics guidelines and had no influence over the selection process.

The defense also said the state chose the winning bid because it was the better proposal. Blocking the project, they argued, would force employees to continue working in the current facility for a longer period.

After the hearing, Liberty Junction co-founders Richard Mann and Claiborne Williams criticized the lawsuit for stalling the project and said court staff deserve a safe facility.

“The dedicated professional employees and their families deserve a safe and healthy courthouse. The people of Hampden County deserve a safe, um, civic building. Jeb Balise intends to stall that process,” Mann said.

“After working day in and day out in a sick, dysfunctional building, the employees in Roderick Ireland Courthouse deserve a state-of -the-art building, not another 50 State Street,” said Hampden County Clerk Laura Gentile.

No decision was made Tuesday. The case was heard at the Roderick Ireland Courthouse, the courthouse at the center of the dispute.