Tornado-damaged Mass. school set for demolition – Boston.com

AP/July 23, 2013

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) The bishop of the Roman Catholic diocese of Springfield has given the green light for the partial demolition of a school that was heavily damaged in a tornado more than two years ago.

The move comes after an arbitration panel ruled earlier this month that the diocese can receive nearly $49 million for the replacement of Cathedral High School.

A spokesman for Bishop Timothy McDonnell tells the Republican newspaper of Springfield (http://bit.ly/1bdFkgb ) that demolition work can begin on a section of the building that housed the gymnasium and auditorium.

The diocese had wanted $70 million to replace the school but the insurance company, Catholic Mutual Group, had initially argued the school could be repaired and offered $15 million.

The building has been closed since the June 1, 2011 tornado.

Copyright 2013 Globe Newspaper Company.

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Tornado-damaged Mass. school set for demolition - Boston.com