HCG LOI 5.15.22
To: Massachusetts Housing Choice Program
Re: City of Northampton Housing Choice Application
May 16, 2022
Dear Housing Choice Representatives,
Please accept my organization’s strong support for the City of Northampton’s Housing Choice Grant request to pay for a new section of sidewalk on Prospect Avenue. My non-profit organization
(Valley Community Development Corp) recently acquired a vacant nursing home situated on the corner of Bridge Road and Prospect Avenue. We are working to redevelop this former nursing
home (vacant now for 11+ years and severely deteriorated) to create an estimated 60 new affordable apartments for families.
The site is excellently situated for low- and moderate-income families, being walking distance to shopping, an elementary school, a well-used bike trail, a YMCA, and a park. Access
to most of these amenities is via Prospect Avenue. Prospect Avenue is a narrow, two-lane residential street with moderately high traffic volume. It is also a frequent route for ambulances
to reach the local hospital, situated near the end of Prospect Avenue.
Sidewalks already exist on the South end of Prospect Avenue, and we will install new sidewalks along our property frontage on Prospect Avenue. This leaves a gap along Prospect Avenue
where there are no sidewalks, forcing pedestrians into the roadway. Filling in this gap will open opportunities for our low- and moderate-income residents (many of whom cannot afford
a car) to easily and safely walk to the park, hospital, YMCA, bike trail, and elementary school.
My non-profit organization is actively struggling to meet rapidly rising construction costs to renovate this large building (72,000 gsf), including over $800,000 in asbestos abatement.
We do not have any budget surplus to add new sidewalks beyond the limits of our property, yet this addition would make a meaningful difference in the lives and safety of our future
residents.
We urge you to provide funds to the City of Northampton (a longtime and stalwart partner to Valley Community Development Corp in creating affordable housing) for this sidewalk work.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions, or for additional information.
Thank you very much for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Laura Baker
Laura Baker, Real Estate Development Director