Springfield’s South End still in shambles after June 1 tornadoes

Four months after a tornado tore through Springfield’s South End, much of the neighborhood is still in disrepair with businesses closed or relocated, housed boarded up, and reconstruction moving slowly.

Unlike the town of Monson, which also suffered through the storm, there appears to be a greater amount of destruction in Springfield and little visible community organization to support reconstruction efforts.

Below are pictures of the destruction taken during a tour of the area on Sept. 23.

A portion of the South End Community Center from the parking lot of Dave's Furniture on the corner of Union St. and Main St.

A closer look at the wreckage behind the South End Community Center.

The front of the South End Community Center.

A 2008 photo of the front of Dave's Furniture store on Main and Union. Compare this photo to the one below, taken 9/23/11. (Thanks to Tony Mateus of thepioneervalley.blogspot.com for the use of his photo.)

The same storefront as the previous picture.

Two houses boarded up and condemned unfit for human habitation by the City of Springfield. A court summons was posted on the front entrance of each dwelling.

Amidst the wreckage behind the houses, nature shows signs of resilience.

A school that is now simply a “Development Opportunity.”