SPRINGFIELD — After reviewing 35 applications for Community Preservation Act funding across multiple meetings, the Springfield Community Preservation Committee officially voted to recommend its first round of projects to the City Council.
The CPC approves CPA funding on a yearly basis, with the act’s creation aiding projects that help preserve the character of the community. This year, the committee received 35 applications totaling more than $8 million. According to CPC Chair Robert McCarroll, the committee can award $3.5 million this year because that is the amount of funding available from revenues.
The CPC in Springfield is overseen by volunteer members who represent the city’s Conservation Commission, Historical Commission, Planning Board, Park Commission, Springfield Housing Authority, Springfield Preservation Trust Inc. and three neighborhood representatives.
According to McCarroll, the 35 applications received this year was the highest number of applications the body has ever received.
On May 6, the CPC sent 13 projects worth over $2.5 million in CPA funds to the council for review and a vote at one of their future meetings.
Among the major projects recommended for funding by the CPC was a $300,000 request for an all-ability play area to be “designed, acquired and installed” in Marshall Roy Park.
According to Marie Koski and Kathy Brown, representatives from the East Springfield Neighborhood Council, the play equipment will be a “great community asset” and will include all-ability ramps with rails, bridges, a Sway Fun Glider, sensory panels and stepping stones. The duo insisted that the equipment would accentuate the park’s already existing fitness equipment and walking path.
“This project will provide a wonderful opportunity for all children to play and enjoy the outdoors and enhance their skills,” Brown said during the meeting. “The new equipment is all ability friendly and will complement the preexisting play structure climbing equipment that will stay.”
Another major project approved by the CPC for $300,000 in CPA funds is replacement of the Paramount Theater Roof. According to a project narrative submitted to the CPC, the roof replacement is the first phase of a larger development project.
“The existing building has numerous leaks and is incurring damage now,” reads the narrative, which was submitted Machdev Sohan, the owner of the theater. “We want to secure the envelope of the building to give us time to prepare the larger development/preservation plan.”
The narrative says the replacement costs $790,000 in total and is expected to be completed by July.
The CPC is also recommending CPA funding for the Down Payment Assistance Program submitted by the city’s Office of Housing, which would essentially eliminate the barriers that are disqualifying homebuyer families from the city’s current HUD DPA program.
“Home prices have continued to rise dramatically, disqualifying many families from participating in our current program,” the project narrative says. “The proposed CPA DPA would eliminate these barriers, attracting more potential owner-occupant households in our neighborhoods.”
According to the project narrative, $7,500 in DPA/closing cost assistance would be provided to eligible homebuyers as a forgivable loan. Each full year, the borrower maintains the home as their principal residence, 20% of the loan is forgiven.
After five full years, the entire $7,500 would be forgiven, according to the narrative.
“The funds are secured by a ‘soft’ second mortgage on the home, ensuring repayment if the home is sold within five years,” read the project narrative.
If the $300,000 in CPA funds are approved by the council, the city can assist 62 homeowners who otherwise may not qualify for their current HUD program.
“It is important to note that The Office of Housing is able to absorb 100% of the administration costs for the program,” according to the Office of Housing.
The CPC plans to recommend the remaining CPA funds available, around $957,000, at its May 20 meeting.
Here is a list of the other projects the body recommended to the council for CPA funding approval:
- Parent Villages Nonprofit Center’s restore and repair project — $95,000
- North Riverfront Park dock improvement — $288,000
- St. Peter’s Episcopal Church restoration of stained-glass window — $11,200 + $41,620
- CPA Historic Homes Restoration Program — $300,000
- Forest Park fitness course — $300,000
- McKnight Park restoration — $205,000
- Affordable Homeownership submitted by Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity — $250,000
- 7-9 Stockbridge St. stabilization — $300,000
- Daniel’s New Bethel restoration project — $153,277
- Restoring the Stearns Square granite bench — $63,300
Readers can see all of the 2025 applications on the Springfield website: springfield-ma.gov/finance/community-preservation.
