For several weeks now, both sides of the battle over Springfield’s new courthouse have been taking their case to the people. Dinesh Patel and James Balise, the owners of companies formally suing over the selection of Liberty Junction, had been waging war in court and
Just over two weeks ago, Superior Court Judge David Hodge refused to enjoin lease negotiations between DCAMM and Liberty Junction, the winning bidder for the new courthouse in Springfield. The unsuccessful bidders who brought the suit were clear that the case was not over.
The Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management (DCAMM) and Liberty Junction, the developer selected to build the new courthouse in Springfield, can keep talking—and negotiating. That was the ruling from Superior Court Judge David Hodge, who refused to enjoin the process, as the plaintiffs in a suit had requested.
As skeptical as the ruling was, it might not have gone far enough to given DCAMM and Liberty Junction confidence the case is ending soon.
When Liberty Junction was selected as the developer for the new Springfield Regional Justice Center, it seemed likely that the unsuccessful bidders would go quietly into the night. The invective and rending of garments was a job for the pols. The choice disappointed losing bidders, but it was not expected that they would take action against the choice.
Such was not the case.