SPRINGFIELD — A nonprofit social service agency has purchased the historic Gunn Block building and has plans to resume the stalled restoration of the long vacant structure as soon as possible.

Urban Impact Initiative, a growing organization that runs a variety of programs including reentry training for women leaving incarceration, substance abuse recovery assistance, doula services and even a youth wrestling program, has purchased the building at 473-477 State St. in November for $110,000 and plans to preserve it for its permanent headquarters and other uses.

“Nothing has been done since it was last purchased in 2023 the building is being seriously compromised which means our history is being seriously compromised,” said Jynai McDonald, founder of Urban Impact Initiative.

Saving the Gun

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