SPRINGFIELD — A couple weeks after sending its first round of Community Preservation Act funding recommendations to City Council, the Community Preservation Committee submitted its final round of suggestions during its May 20 meeting.
The CPC sent seven projects worth approximately $957,000 in CPA funds to the council for a review and a vote at one of their future meetings. According to the CPC’s chart posted during the meeting, every one of the applications chosen was either a community housing, historic resource or open space and recreation project.
Among the major projects chosen by CPC on May 20 was a $300,000 recommendation for the Kavanaugh Building project which, when finished, will feature 37 new units of permanent supportive housing as well as 7,000 square feet of retail space.
Sixteen of the units will be affordable to households earning 30% of Area Median Income, while 21 will be affordable to households earning 65% AMI. The units will operate through a master-lease between the Mental Health Association and Renaissance Development, the project managers.
According to the project description, the CPA money would allow Renaissance to complete the remaining exterior work to the historic building’s front façade, including masonry work steelwork, glasswork, awnings and signage.
“The criteria we intend to accomplish with your financial support is two-fold: restore a historic building, and to create new housing affordable housing units for the Springfield community,” the project description reads.
Another major project approved by the CPC is a $151,000 recommendation for the Ecumenical Church at 205 Eastern Ave. According to the project description, the CPA money would be used for exterior renovations, including the addition of a more reliable roof.
“The Ecumenical Church is in a building with a roof which is deteriorating,” the description reads. “While the congregation acknowledges the importance of a reliable roof, it is a substantial financial endeavor and one which will not be ascertainable without CPC Funding.”
The CPC is also recommending $115,000 for the Elijah Blake House exterior preservation at 21 Edwards St and $125,000 for stained glass window rehabilitation at 52 Sumner Ave., the performing arts venue that used to house the Faith United Church.
The CPC’s recommendations on May 20 come a couple weeks after the body sent 13 projects worth $2.5 million in CPA funds to the council for review and a vote at one of their future meetings.
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, the highest number the it has ever received.
Here is a list of the other projects recommended by CPC for CPA funding:
- 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
- Paramount Theater roof replacement — $300,000
- Springfield Office of Housing Downpayment Assistance Program — $200,000
- Marshall Roy Park all ability play structures/enhancements — $300,000
- Ames House historic resource rehabilitation — $155,000
- Immaculate Conception Church stained glass windows restoration — $79,000
- Doyle Avenue Trail — $28,900
