On November 23, 2012, a massive gas explosion in downtown Springfield leveled Scores strip club, damaged a dozen other buildings, and resulted in the hospitalization of eighteen people.A year later, the historic Macintosh building has still not been repaired. A total of 15 residential units and all commercial units in the building were condemned. Six floors of scaffolding erected on the Worthington and Chestnut sides of the building to secure the facade remain there, blocking the view of this historic building.
We speak with Karoun Charkoudian, a former resident and boardmember, who has not been able to return to her home. Ms. Charkoudian was in the process of opening a new business, Karoun Yoga, when she was displaced from the building. Springfield’s Chief Development Officer Kevin Kennedy discusses how the city recovered from the disaster and future plans for that area of downtown Springfield.
From Kathy, the building manager: “Rebuilding after a disaster is a long frustrating process. In October we finished the process of discovery and received our stamped plans for repair. We have hired a contractor and are just beginning, a year later, the repairs necessary to bring “The Mac” back to the former glory that placed it on Historic Register many years ago.”
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