SPRINGFIELD — The City Council unanimously approved a one-year extension of an existing special permit for a housing project coming to 169 Maple St.
In November 2022, Davenport Advisors was granted a special permit for a two-year period to develop the historic property into 11 market rate family housing units, but things like interest rates, costs of material, and cost of construction made it difficult for Davenport to create a budget that is feasible enough for them to finish the project over the past two years.
However, Davenport Advisors Manager Joy Martin told the City Council during a hearings meeting on Nov. 25 that they received a Housing Development Incentive Program grant of $630,000 toward the $4 million renovation of the property, which she said will help the project’s future.
“We think that with that we will be able to have a budget that will allow us to offer market rate housing for families at this rate that is affordable for Springfield, and we ask for that extra year so that we can finalize matters in construction,” Martin told the council.
The 169 Maple St. property used to be home to the Parsons apartment complex, which was built in 1916 and recognized that year in an issue of The Architectural Record for its large rooms and arrangement that made the apartments feel more like a single-family home. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings, as part of the Ridgewood State Register and Local Historic District.
The property is now owned by the city, and the apartments are vacant and abandoned. After putting out a request for proposals from developers, the city contracted with Davenport Advisors to purchase and redevelop the property.
In a letter to the council asking for the one-year special permit extension dated Sept. 27, Martin said that anticipated transfer of ownership from the city to Davenport is expected to take place in the near future.
Martin reiterated that point during the Nov. 25 hearings meeting when asked about the construction process.
“We’re not the owners of the property right now,” Martin said. “We have been designated as a preferred developer and we do have an agreement with the city to have a transfer of property take place but as of today we are not the owners or responsible for the property.”
When Reminder Publishing reported on this housing project in July, Davenport Advisors representative Juan Prieto said the new apartments will be three-bedroom, two bathroom “family oriented” units will have washers and dryers, restored millwork, cabinetry, solid oak and maple floors, bicycle storage and secure basement storage.
The developer said they were committed to preserving or recreating many of the building’s original features. New windows will be manufactured to match the original design, and the historic brickwork and cornices will be re-pointed, restored and preserved. The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, a semi-governmental entity that aids in planning, has been brought onto the project as historical consultants.
The remainder of the project will be funded through two grants from the city, equity from investors and a construction bond.
