Gannett lists News-Leader building on market

Gannett Co. Inc. (NYSE: GCI) listed the longtime home of the Springfield News-Leader on the market.

The daily publication is staying in operation, though a future location has not been secured, a Gannett spokesperson said in a statement provided by the News-Leader. The paper has been located at its North Boonville Avenue site since 1933, according to its website. In 1947, a fire destroyed much of the original facility, so it was rebuilt in 1948.

The spokesperson, who was unnamed in the emailed statement, said Gannett made the decision "after evaluating our current need for space." In March, Gannett closed the printing press that made up a sizeable portion of the Boonville Avenue building. Printing operations for the News-Leader were moved to Columbia. The switch meant more than 40 layoffs at the News-Leader, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting.

"While we have not determined where our future location will be, the Springfield News-Leader remains deeply committed to serving our community," the spokesperson said in the statement. "Our industry’s digital transformation demands not only an evolution in how we cover the news and serve our advertisers, but also how and where we work.

"We’re confident in the sustainable future of local journalism and that the Springfield News-Leader is an important part of that future."

News-Leader Editor Amos Bridges deferred questions to Gannett.

McLean, Virgina-based Gannett hired Syracuse, New York-based BellCornerstone to market the 651 N. Boonville Ave. property. A listing created Sept. 18 seeks $3.7 million for the nearly 106,000-square-foot building, according to LoopNet.com.