Vilage Hill DCPO Memorandum of Agreement 1995Memorandum of Agreement
Regarding the Redevelopment of Northampton State Hos
By and Between Hospital
The City of Northampton
and
J,vision of Capital Planning and Operations
THIS MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT entered into as of the /
and between the Division of Capital Planning and Operations (DCPO) d~ h Cof Jul,
ity of 1995 by
Northampton (City). Y
WHEREAS, DCPO and the City enthusiastically support the redevelopment and reuse of
the Northampton State Hospital (NSH);
WHEREAS, the City has proposed a plan for the NSH as an element of the Northampton
General Plan, which includes a mix of uses on the grounds of NSH, the possible reuse or
demolition of certain buildings, new construction, and preservation of agricultural lands and open
space under city zoning;
WHEREAS, the Legislature has enacted and the Governor has signed into law Chapter 86
of the Acts and Resolves of 1994 authorizing the transfer by lease or deed from the
Commonwealth and the redevelopment of NSH;
WHEREAS, a Memorandum of Agreement between the City, DCPO, and the
Massachusetts Historical Commission, addressing the treatment of historical issues under State and
Federal regulations is to be signed;
WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 86, the policy of the commonwealth is, to the maximum
extent feasible, to promote a mix of low income, affordable and market rate housing, up to fifteen
percent of which will be prioritized for clients of the department of mental health within region one,
the parties agree that said goal may be met in pan through the directed disposition of four parcels of
land to the Northampton Housing Authority and of one parcel to the City of Northampton; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 86, Section 4 calls for a Memorandum of Agreement between the
City and DCPO regarding the reuse of NSH; ,i
NOW, THEREFORE, DCPO and the City agree that they will use reasonable efforts in
Sood;faith to encourage and, to the extent practicable under the circumstances to implement the
following actions and policies in furtherance of the orderly and successful reuse of NSH.
I. " Zonino -t ar , -
A. DCPO and the Citv agree that the document "Northampton State Hospital Plan," as adopted by
the Northampton PIannine Board on March 26, 1992 and revised April 8, 1993 as implemented in
the Zoning Ordinance of the City and as may be amended from time to time by the City, in
consultation with DCPO and the CAC, shall serve as general guidance for the redevelopment of
NSH.
II. Chapter 86 of the Acts of 1994
A. Chapter 86 of the Acts.of 1994 govern the disposition and redevelopment of NSH and
establishes a Citizens Advisory Committee to assist in the implementation of Chapter 86.
III. Pre-
A. DCPO will undertake and share with the City and the CAC certain studies, surveys and
assessments, scheduled as follows (dates are approximate and are subject to change):
• Survey of Unsurveyed Portions of the Site Fall, 1995
• Preliminary Traffic and Access Study
for Main Campus and Memorial Hall
• Phase I Environmental Assessment
(Adequate to determine the nature and
extent of oil and hazardous materials on
the site and the cost of remediarion to
the extent required by law)
IV. Directed DisT)ositions
Winter, 1995
Fall, 1995
A. DCPO intends to convey those portions of the campus which DCPO is authorized or directed
to convey to particular parties as soon as possible after a recordable survey is completed and other
requirements arc completed. Those portions of the campus which DCPO'has been authorized to
convey are as follows:
• Smith College Easement on Parcel "K"
• Halligan and Daley monument to the City
• Transfer of Parcel D to the Deparmient
of Food and Agriculture
Conservation Easement to City on Parcel "A" /
• Parcel "C" (Community Gardens) to the City
ParCeis 1, 2, 3, and 4 to the Northampton
Housing Authority
• 91 Grove Street to the City
• Parcel "C" to the City
V. Marketing the CamDUS
A. DCPO agrees to use reasonable efforts to diligently determine whether there is market interest
in all portions of the campus authorized for disposition for private redevelopment at the earliest
possible date. This schedule is dependent on consultation with the City and the Citizens Advisory
Committee, DCPO's assessment of market conditions and, as a result, is subject to change. The
timing of the distribution of any Request for Proposals shall be at the sole discretion of DCPO, in
consultation with the CAC. Pursuant to Section 4 of Chapter 86, the CAC shall review and have
the authority to approve or reject the DCPO's RFPs before they are distributed. 'Me current plan is
as follows:
• Marketing Plan August, 1995
• Draft RFP
Summer, 1995
• Issue RFP and Begin Marketing Effort Winter, 1995
• Deadline for Proposals Spring, 1996
B. DCPO agrees to use reasonable efforts to determine whether there is market interest in "Parcel
"E" separately from the remainder of the campus for disposition and redevelopment. DCPO
acknowledges that plans exist for the resurfacing of Route 66, and that the RFP for Parcel E shall
be designed to allow potential respondents the information and time to complete sewer feasibility
plans and construction so as not to interfere with the planned resurfacing schedule.
C. DCPO agrees to propose a design, in consultation with the City, for the realignment-of the
Earle Street/Grove Sn-eet/Texas Road intersection, as part of DCPO's site evaluation. The City of
Northampton agrees to seek funding to fund and construct from sources other than DCPO for the
construction of the realigned intersection.
VI. Prohibited Uses
A. No portion of the Northampton State Hospital site shall be used for the purpose of constructing
or operating an incinerator, landfill, or other means of permanent disposal-of solid or hazardous
waste, constructing or operating a house of correction, jail, or prison. Composring is permissable
in compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
VII. The Citizens' Advisory Committee
A. DCPO agrees that each request for development proposals shall include criteria for determining
the suitability of a developer or purchaser of all or a portion of the site.
B. DCPO will provide the Citizens Advisory Committee a reasonable opportunity to review and to
approve or disapprove of any request for proposals (RFPs) from developers or purchasers
required by the legislation, including the criteria for determining the suitability of a developer or
purchaser of all or a portion of the site, and the uses and design thereof.
C. DCPO and the City acknowledge that the legislation provides that in ;dl other matters the role of
the Citizens Advisory Committee shall be advisory only.
r
D. DCPO and the City acknowiedge that the legislation does not require that an RFP will be issued
for.any of the paiceis as specified in Chapter 86-and listed below:
Smith College Easement on Parcei "K"
Halligan and Daley Monument to the City
Transfer of Parcel D to the Department
of Food and Agriculture
• Conservation Easement to City on Parcel "A"
• Parcel "G" to the City
• Parcels 1, Z, 3, and 4 to the Northampton
Housing Authority
• 91 Grove Street to the City
Parcel "C" to the City
Execution and implementation of this Memorandum of Agreement evidences that DCPO and the
City have complied with Section 4 of Chapter 86 of the Acts and Resolves of 1994.
Division of Capital Planning and Operations (DCPO)
Lark Jurev Palermo
Commissioner -
City of Northampton (City)
Mary L. Ford
Mayor
11,