Governor Healey Distances Herself From Disputed $2B Springfield Courthouse Deal

As a judge from the Hampden Superior Court considers a challenge to what many believe may be a favorable insider contract award for a new courthouse in Springfield, which could be worth billions of dollars, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey wants it known that she has "nothing to do with the project."

"I haven't been, I wasn't involved with the procurement process," Healey told me during a recent visit to New Bedford.

Healey does, however, support the project and the contract awarded by the Divisions of Capital Assets Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) to a partnership that included Conan Harris, the ex-con husband of Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley, and John Barros, the interim director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority.

"What I do believe is that Springfield desperately needs a new courthouse. As we know, that was a sick building, you know?" Healey said. "People had cancers, people had disease, they were dying. So I'm glad that the project is moving forward."

The High Stakes of the Springfield Courthouse Project

Under the deal, Massachusetts taxpayers would fund the cost of building the courthouse – roughly $600 million – then pay a potential $2 billion over 40 or more years to lease the building.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: The Division of Capital Asset Management & Maintenance sent a correction to WBSM after publication, stating that "The cost of construction is built into the lease, so the ~$2 billion includes all costs including construction. The cost of construction is not an additional $600M. Additionally, the Liberty Junction proposal estimates $462,225,258 as the cost of construction," according to a DCAMM spokesperson.]

"They picked the project that was going to save taxpayers $300 million," Healey said. "I mean, that sounds right to me."

Massachusetts Gov. Healey Had

"I think we should be getting the best deal for taxpayers, but, um, you know, I haven't been, I wasn't involved in the procurement process," she said. "Never talked to anybody, you know, about that."

Asked whether she thought awarding the contract to politically connected people might present the perception of a conflict, Healey replied, "You know, I don't think that's an issue."

Barros has since divested his interest in the partnership with Harris in response to backlash over the contract award.

The Boston Herald reported Hampden Superior Court Associate Justice David Hodge heard arguments on Tuesday from two of the 10 bidders who were not awarded the contract, who believe that they lost out because they didn't have the right connections.

Legal Challenge and Allegations of Political Connections

Jeb Balise and Denesh Patel are suing to block the awarding of the contract and force a rebidding.

PBS station WBUR reported that Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell's office is defending the contract, with Campbell accusing Balise and Patel of attempting to "elevate their own financial interests over the public's interest."

There is no indication when Judge Hodge might issue a ruling in the case.

Healey does not have the authority as governor to overrule or unilaterally cancel a contract awarded by DCAMM. BusinessWest.com is calling for changes in the way such contracts are awarded in Massachusetts.