For that price, Northeastern will get the nine-story office building vacated by the Registry of Motor Vehicles in 1995 as well as three other buildable parcels. As part of the deal, Northeastern has pledged to provide rent-free space for the Whittier Street Health Center for 31 years.
Officials also hope to give top priority to minority vendors and contractors in developing the site.
The Registry left Ruggles Center two years ago after scores of workers developed respiratory problems there. Since then, the building's former owners have been working to correct the problems. No sale will be final until Northeastern officials are assured of the building's safety, according to university counsel Vincent Lembo. The Ruggles Center purchase will enable the university to acquire a promising real estate investment, Lembo said. The purchase will also benefit the community, Lembo said.