The American Red Cross has had a chapter located in Westfield since 1923.
WESTFIELD – The local chapter of the American Red Cross may soon occupy space at City Hall under a lease proposal sent to the City Council for approval by Mayor Daniel M. Knapik.
Knapik said the proposal is aimed at “keeping a permanent Red Cross banner in Westfield,” adding “a national trend toward centralization of such organizations could take a permanent presence of the emergency services agency out of the city.”
Richard A. Rubin, long-time executive director of Westfield’s Red Cross Chapter, was reluctant this week to discuss the lease prospect until the City Council reviews the proposal and acts on it.
“When and if it is finalized I will address the issue. But, we are excited about the prospect of locating at City Hall,” Rubin said.
Rubin said staff and programs have “outgrown” its facility at 48 Broad St. location. The chapter has had a presence in Westfield since 1923 and at the Broad Street location since 1945 when that building was donated to the Red Cross by Whip City Manufacturing Co., Rubin said.
“The proposed lease will allow us to expand services and programs and allow us to graduate more students” from the various nurse and other medical education programs offered annually, Rubin said.
The director “We are excited about the (potential) marriage with City Hall.”
The request is expected to be reviewed by the City Council’s Property and Legislative and Ordinance Committees before the full City Council considers approval.
Effective dates for the proposed lease are March 1, 2012 to Feb. 28, 2016.
Knapik, a former Red Cross disaster volunteer, has suggested leasing Room 315 to the Red Cross. The proposal includes use of two other office spaces on a part-time basis during the four year lease.
Rent for the space will begin at $150 per month and increase annually by $50 per month to a maximum of $350 per month in the final year of the lease.
“The American Red Cross is a long-time institution in Westfield,” said Knapik. “It also serves Southwick and the hilltowns and if necessary we will work during the next four years to find a permanent location for them,” he said.