Springfield agrees to borrow $2.5 million for first phase of replacing ailing Gerena school

SPRINGFIELD — The City Council has agreed to borrow up to $2.5 million to fund a study to replace the troubled Gerena German Community School.

Nearly a year ago, the state School Building Authority accepted the city’s application for replace the building on Bernie Avenue. Next, the city needs a detailed feasibility study that includes creating an education profile, determining enrollment projections and hiring a project manager from the owner, said Peter Garvey, the city’s director of capital asset construction.