The document discusses how Holyoke, MA created an urban renewal plan to promote economic development. It outlines the plan's goals of connecting people and places, constructing infrastructure and buildings, and creating a vibrant city. The plan was created through a public process and identifies 10 areas for acquisition, infrastructure upgrades, and development projects. To date, the plan has helped attract over $100 million in public and private investments that have resulted in new construction, businesses, jobs, and housing in Holyoke.
2. Our Panel
Marcos Marrero, Director of Planning and Economic Development
City of Holyoke, MA
- Connect. Construct. Create. A Plan for the Revitalization of Center City
Holyoke, December 2012
Trevor Beauregard, Director, Department of Community Development and
Planning
City of Gardner, MA
- Downtown Gardner Urban Renewal Plan, July 2011
- Mill Street Corridor Urban Renewal Plan, September 2012
Anthony L. Lazzaro, Jr., Deputy Director, Capital Region Development Authority,
Greater Hartford Region, CT
Moderator: Mary Ellen Radovanic, AICP, BSC Group, Inc.
5. www.HolyokeRedevelopment.com
Why an Urban Renewal Plan?
Promote economic development and
growth in Holyoke by capitalizing on
the City’s unique characteristics
• Connect: people
and places
• Construct: public
infrastructure and a
diverse stock of
buildings
• Create: a vibrant and
prosperous City
Veteran’s
Park
Node
The
Flats
Transit
NodeCabot/
Chestnut
Node
Cabot/Main and
South Holyoke
Node
6. www.HolyokeRedevelopment.com
How was it made?
• Redevelopment Authority led with City staff
• Engaged a consultant for process, property evaluation
• Based on previous plans: Master, South Holyoke, Center City
Vision Plan
• Citizen engagement and committee
• Integrated with existing projects
7. www.HolyokeRedevelopment.com
What does it do?
1. Key parcel acquisitions for rehab, demo or aggregation to form a larger
parcel more marketable for development,
2. Infrastructure upgrades,
3. Traffic improvements,
4. Streetscape enhancements,
5. Investments in public/open spaces,
6. Partnerships with existing organizations, businesses or others to assist in
on-going or future redevelopment projects.
Note: it does not displace communities, 92% of acquisitions are vacant
8. www.HolyokeRedevelopment.com
What does it do?
A note on aggregation…
• Integrates multiple parcels
into a larger development
opportunity, including small
and odd-shaped parcels
• Creates economies of scale
• Allows for comprehensive
development
• Can recreate small parcels or
subdivisions
20. www.HolyokeRedevelopment.com
• Catalyst:
Investment in
Veterans’ Park,
Transportation
Center, Dioceses
Property Rehab
• Action: Acquisition
of vacant
properties, rehab or
remediation and sell
for mixed use
commercial to
compliment area
Area 2 – Veterans Park Area
23. www.HolyokeRedevelopment.com
• Catalyst: Investment made in Senior Center and Library
• Actions:
• Acquisition and aggregation of vacant lots for infill residential
• Support potential neighborhood school on former Perpetual
Help block
Area 3 – Cabot & Chestnut Area
26. www.HolyokeRedevelopment.com
• Catalyst: Investments in Lyman Terrace, Victory Theater and incoming traffic to
Center City
• Actions: Parcel aggregation for mixed-use commercial on High St. and mixed
residential on Nick Cosmos way, streetscape improvements on Maple Street
Area 4 – High Street Area
29. www.HolyokeRedevelopment.com
• Catalyst: Passenger Rail, Canalwalk, creative economy clustering
• Actions: Support eastern book-end of the Transit Oriented Development district
and parcel aggregation for mixed-use on Main St, Grocery store on Canal St.
Area 5 – TOD/Depot Square
32. www.HolyokeRedevelopment.com
• Catalyst: MGHPCC
• Actions:
• Provide re-use options for 216 Appleton St.
(Farr Alpaca) building
• Clean up of brownfield City property and
market it for Arts and Innovation use
Area 6 – Computing Center
35. www.HolyokeRedevelopment.com
• Catalyst: Remediation of the former
Parson’s Paper site
• Actions: Demolition of structures and
preparation as a greenfield site for
development as likely industrial or large-
scale commercial site
Area 7 – Parsons Paper
38. www.HolyokeRedevelopment.com
• Catalyst: South Holyoke Revitalization Strategy
• Actions: Parcel aggregation to provide mix of housing options and quality open
space and improve connection to Morgan School and Main street
Area 8 – South Holyoke
41. www.HolyokeRedevelopment.com
• Catalyst: S. Holyoke Revit. Strategy
• Actions:
• Parcel aggregation for large commercial
plaza with expanded grocery store and
small business-ready sites
• Gateway theme & improved connection
to Main street and Chicopee
Area 9 – Cabot Street Gateway
44. www.HolyokeRedevelopment.com
• Catalyst: Private investment along the riverbank
• Actions:
• Support industrial expansion on the south side of area – buildings, parking
• Support mixed-use commercial and housing in north side of area
• Expand Canalwalk to North Canal street
Area 10 – 2nd and 3rd Level Canal
45. How Has It Helped To Date
Harvesting the seeds of growth in Holyoke
46. Public Investment
New Construction
New Business
More Employment
More Housing
LAY OF THE LAND
Outline of Topics
How Has It Helped To Date
47. MORE SEEDS
Infrastructure Upgrades - Canalwalk connection to South Holyoke
Streetscape upgrades through Cabot St. up
to Race, Canalwalk from Cabot to
Appleton
Connecting Center City through second
key gateway and Willimansett bridge to
Chicopee
50. MORE SEEDS
Placemaking – South Holyoke & Springdale Gateway Improvements
Improvement area ID’d in 1999 City Master Plan as key gateway
City secured $50,000 from NEA Our Town Grant Program, one of
only 64 in the country
1 of only 10 “Infra-Space” program locations by MassDOT
Collaboration with Center for Design Engagement (CDE)
Utilize vacant space, enhance gateway to city, increase
connectivity between neighborhoods
52. → Parson’s Paper Remediation
→ The Cubit
→ Lyman Terrace
→ Streetscape Upgrades
→ Dirk Auferoth & Associates
→ 216 Appleton Street
→ Aegis Energy Expansion
→ Brick Coworkshop
→ Gateway City Arts
→ “How to Pop-Up” Guide
→ Fiesta Cafe
→ STEAM Building
→ Center City Pedestrian Pavilion
→ Gateway City Bistro
→ Canal Galleries
→ Holyoke Innovation District
→ Library Commons
→ I-391 “Infraspace” Art Project
→ And many others…
LAY OF THE LAND
Economic Development Projects in the Revitalization Area
53. Pre-development rehab studies
Tax Incentives
Land Sales
Haz-Mat Cleanup
MORE SEEDS
Work/assistance to get Vacant Mill Space Rehabilitated and Occupied
0
200
400
600
800
1,000
1,200
1,400
1,600
Estimated Vacant Mill Space Assisted for Site Readiness
ApproximateSquareFootage
Approx. 1.5 Million Sq. Ft.
Approx. 750,000 Sq. Ft.
54. MORE SEEDS
Cleanup & Site Readiness – Parsons Paper
Fire in 2009, $2 Million EPA Cleanup finished in 2010 - Estimated ~$3.5 Million pad-
ready prep project
$250,000 in funds for pre-development secured in 2014;
$2 million from the state Brownfield Fund through MassDevelopment;
$1 Million capital investment by the Holyoke Gas & Electric, which secures an
easement on the site for potentially 2.5 MW of hydroelectric generation;
$400,000 capital loan from the Holyoke Economic Development and Industrial
Corporation, to be paid from the sale proceeds of the land to AEGIS Energy Services;
City also provided its most aggressive tax incentive schedule in its history: 100%
property tax exemption for 10 years.
55. MORE SEEDS
Private Incentive Program - Renewable Energy Development Fund
Holyoke has access to ~$2 Million in funds for renewable energy
generation
Development fund expected in 2016 would provide $ incentive
for rooftop solar or other renewable potential, to leverage funds
56. HARVESTING PROJECTS
Workforce Training – MGM Resorts HCC Center for Culinary Arts
$3.65 Million for construction and equipment
Doubling size of existing programs
Located on first two floors of The Cubit
Redevelopment sold adjacent parcels to
HCC/MGM Springfield
partnership announced
MGM Springfield will pay
tuition costs for 50 Holyoke
residents to attend HCC
Culinary school
Opening 2017
57. • Cubit
HARVESTING PROJECTS
Mixed Housing & Commercial – The Cubit
~$4 to 5 million investment
HCC Culinary Fall 2017 &18 market-rate apartments top two floors
Commercial and Residential local tax incentives
58. • Cubit
HARVESTING PROJECTS
Mixed Housing & Commercial – The Cubit
~$4 to 5 million investment
HCC Culinary Fall 2017 &18 market-rate apartments top two floors
Commercial and Residential local tax incentives
59. HARVESTING PROJECTS
New Housing Developments in the Pipeline for Downtown
95
21
140
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Devonshire 101 Cabot Current Pipeline
Housing Developments
Units
Chestnut Park 55 Units $19 Million
Library Commons 55 Units $16 Million
The Cubit 30 Units ~$2 Million
60. $19.3 million total
investment
Led by HAP Housing
47 mixed-income
apartments
Renovation of four
blighted buildings
Currently securing
financing (tax credits)
HARVESTING PROJECTS
New Construction – Library Commons
61. HARVESTING PROJECTS
Mixed Housing – Lyman Terrace
Owned/managed by the
Holyoke Housing
Authority who is under
agreement with The
Community Builders (TCB)
to redevelop the property
$3 million in low-income
housing tax credits and
funding
$4 million MassWorks
infrastructure grant
award for public
improvements
Construction currently
underway for Phase I
62. HARVESTING PROJECTS
Mixed Housing - Winn Development
Owned by Redevelopment
Authority - over $300,000 in
cleanup and
predevelopment investment
to date
Under agreement with
WinnDevelopment to create
approximately 100 units of
mixed-income housing,
A $38 million investment
Development concept for
the property will seek
funding through historic
preservation and housing tax
credits over the next two
years
63. HARVESTING PROJECTS
Building Permits Issued in the City
1,992
1,878 1,872
2,226 2,213
2,319
$208,211
$245,892
$175,858
$263,592
$250,734
$306,600
1,500
1,600
1,700
1,800
1,900
2,000
2,100
2,200
2,300
2,400
'09 '10 '11 '12 '13 '14
Year
Permits
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
$250,000
$300,000
$350,000
PermitFees
In the last decade…
Highest number of building permits pulled
Highest value of permits pulled
64. $1 Million Investment
2,400 sq. ft. building
3 teller stations, drive-
thru, 2 offices, & 24 hr
drive-up ATM/night
drop
12 new employees
Anticipated 2017
completion
HARVESTING PROJECTS
New Construction - Easthampton Savings Bank
65. HARVESTING PROJECTS
Business Certificates Issued in the City
119
129
145
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
150
'12 '13 '14
Year
BusinessCertificates
Registration made simpler, “one
stop shop” process in ‘15
66. www.HolyokeRedevelopment.com
Financial Plan
• Costs
– Land Acquisition: $6,625,400
– Relocation: $1,125,000
– Site Improvements:
$69,539,000
• Building Demo
• Streetscape
• Canalwalk
• Park Improvements
– Building Rehabilitation:
$27,382,000
– Administrative: $1,000,000
– Consultants: $7,474,000
– Bond Fees: $100,000
– Contingency: $15,232,280
• Total Cost
– Gross Project Cost: $128,277,680
– Income from sale or lease
(estimated): $35,053,160
– Net Project Cost: $94,424,520
– City Share: $15,055,900
– Grants: TBD
– Funding Need: $78,368,620
67. www.HolyokeRedevelopment.com
HRA Proceeds
City Funding/In-Kind Support
MassWorks Infrastructure Projects
Transportation Enhancement Program
Chapter 90 Funding
MA Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations
for Communities (PARC) and MA Local
Acquisitions for Natural Diversity (LAND)
Grant Programs (formally the Urban Self-
Help and Self-Help programs, respectively)
Land and Water Conservation Fund
(LWCF)
Brownfields Funds
Economic Development Incentive Program
(EDIP)
Housing Development Incentive Program
(HDIP)
Holyoke Economic Development
& Industrial Corporation (HEDIC)
Community Development Block
Grant Program (CDBG)
Funding from Massachusetts
General Law Chapter 40R
Federal and Massachusetts
Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit
The New Markets Tax Credits
Program
Adams Arts Grant Program
MassDevelopment
Gateway Cities Program
HOME Investment Partnership
Program
Growth District Initiative (GDI)
Funding Sources
69. → Parson’s Paper Remediation
→ The Cubit
→ Lyman Terrace
→ Streetscape Upgrades
→ Gary Rome Hyundai
→ Dirk Auferoth & Associates
→ 216 Appleton Street
→ Aegis Energy Expansion
→ Brick Coworkshop
→ Gateway City Arts
→ Lower Westfield/Homestead
→ “How to Pop-Up” Guide
→ Fiesta Cafe
→ STEAM Building
→ Center City Pedestrian Pavilion
→ Gateway City Bistro
→ Canal Galleries
→ Holyoke Innovation District
→ Library Commons
→ I-391 “Infraspace” Art Project
→ And many others…
LAY OF THE LAND
City Economic Development Projects throughout Holyoke
71. www.HolyokeRedevelopment.com
Short Term Expected Completion (1-5 years)
• Area 2 – Veterans Park Area
• Area 5 – Passenger Rail/Transit Oriented Development Area (TOD)
• Area 6 – High Performance Computing Center Area
• Area 7 – Parsons Paper Redevelopment Site
Mid-Term Expected Completion (1-10 Years)
• Area 8 – South Holyoke Area
• Area 9 – Cabot Street Gateway Area
Long-Term Expected Completion (1-20 Years)
• Area 1 - Dwight Street Gateway Area
• Area 3 - Cabot and Chestnut Streets Area
• Area 4 - High Street Area
• Area 10 - Riverfront Area along 2nd and 3rd Level Canal
Projected Timeline
73. City of Gardner Urban Renewal Plans
Downtown URA 2011
▪ Concentration Areas (7)
1. Downtown
2. Rear Main Street
3. Gateway
4. Lower Main Street
5. Sherman/Chestnut (SC) Industrial
Mill Street Corridor URA 2013
1. FormerGarbose Metal Recycling
2. Former S. Bent Furniture Manufacturing
78. Former Orpheum Theatre
• .75 acre lot
• 45,000 sf +/- mixed use building
• Acquired through eminent domain
2015 - $88,000
• Demolition in 2016
• Open Space
• Municipal parking
Conceptual Plans
• Assist with driving development of
specific sites
• Needs to be flexible
81. BEFORE:
Former Conant Ball Furniture
Manufacturing site
Demolished in 1997 by private
owner
AFTER:
$8 million Municipal Library built
in 2005
82.
83. PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS (2012)
• 78 Units of Assisted Living
100% Affordable
• $9.95 Million HUD Grant
• $10.9 MillionTax-Exempt
MassDevelopment Bond
• $6.4 Million of Equity Based
onTax Credits
• $18 Million ProjectTotal
• 100 Construction Jobs
• 50 Permanent Jobs
• Revitalization of Downtown
GardnerThrough Historic
Preservation
84. PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS (2015)
• 55 Units of Affordable and
Market Rate Units
• 100+ Construction Jobs
• 5 FT Permanent Jobs
• 25 PT Jobs
• $12.8 million Construction Loan
• $1.8 million Permanent Loan (MHP)
• $715,000 Home Loan (DHCD)
• $370,000 HSF Loan (DHCD)
• $1 million AHT Loan (MA Housing)
• $5.2 million HTC
• $11.5 million LIHTC
• $100,000 City CDBG
• $20 million project total
• Revitalization of Downtown
Gardner Through Historic
Preservation
• Winner of the 2016Thomas M. Menino
Legacy Award
85.
86. Building design and materials which
respect architectural heritage and tradition
87. Acquisition and assemblage of five parcels
Demolition of three vacant, blighted
properties and two occupied multi-unit
residences
$14 million public investment
$300,000 environmental cleanup
Two year project
88.
89.
90.
91. Acquisition and assemblage of four parcels
Demolition of three decadent structures
Environmental
Cleanup
92.
93. New $4 million, 4,700 sf retail facility with twelve
filling stations and outdoor seating
94. Connectivity of municipal resources and
private businesses
Develop community space in downtown
Provide additional parking to encourage
private investment along Main Street
Support 23 businesses / 60 residential units
Encourage additional business opportunities
96. Acquisition and Demolition
• 1.5 acre lot
• 65,000 sf +/- mill building
• Acquired through eminent domain
2015 - $106,000
• $1.2 million MassWorks Grant
• Acquisition / Demolition in 2016
• Derby Drive - Complete
Streets design
• Community / Open Space
• Municipal parking
97.
98.
99. 354 Main Street
Demolition of vacant, decadent warehouse,
remediation of site
Developed 12,500 sf Class A Office Space
$2 million investment
$425,000 MORE Jobs Grant (MassWorks)
Retaining wall and stairs
12 space municipal parking lot
38 Construction jobs created
15 full-time jobs created
100.
101. Former Collier Keyworth and Nichols and Stone site
16 Acres of Industrially Zoned land with known
environmental contamination
14 Industrial structures in various states of disrepair
Data Guide Cable purchased the former Collier
Keyworth site in 1996
Data Guide Cable purchased the former Nichols and
Stone site in 2009
Development Overlay Zoning was approved in 2010
Demolition began in 2010
Development began in 2011 and was complete in 2013
105. Retail Development
60,000 +/- sf Price Chopper
Additional 60,000 sf of
permitted retail space
$8 million private
investment
$500,000 MassWorks
Grant
280 part time jobs
95 full time jobs
75 jobs retained
108. Former SimplexTime Recorder Complex
400,000 s.f. of vacant, decadent warehouse and office space
$5.5 million private investment
Conversion to 120,000 s.f. climate controlled self storage
200,000 s.f. warehouse space
80,000 Class A Office / Flex Space
109.
110. Approved Urban Renewal Area – 2013
13 parcels totaling 55 acres with frontage on Mill Street or
Timpany Boulevard
Ownership – Public/Private (68%/32%)
Rail spur off the P&W mainline which traverses the Corridor
Municipal water and sewer – gas and fiber adjacent to site
43D Expedited Permitting – 2008
Round 2 of State’s Brownfield SupportTeam Initiative – 2010
Urban Land Institute –Technical Assistance Program - 2011
111. Founded in 1867
Manufacture of five-
spindle factory chairs,
rockers, and stools
1920’s – 1950’s –
breakfast sets/institutional furniture
1960’s – college and university chairs
Acquired by P. Alcock Acquisitions in 1992,
operations ceased in 2000.
Acquired by City in 2007 through tax title
112. 27 acres zoned Industrial 1
Contained multiple buildings in excess of
250,000 s.f.
Approximately $1.8 million spent on
assessment, cleanup, and demolition
$1,300,000 CDBG
$300,000 U.S. EPA assessment/cleanup
$100,000 MassDevelopment assessment/HM
inventory
$100,000 combination City, GRA, DEP
115. The City acquired the former Garbose site through a
Covenant Not to Sue Agreement in 2010.
116. 10.6 acres, Currently Zoned Commercial 2
From 1885 to 1957 - L.B. RamsdellCompany
General storage of dry stock (wood products)
From 1958 to 1998 - Garbose MetalCompany
Collection, separation and storage of scrap metal
Crushing of automobiles
Dismantling of electrical transformers
Temporary “landfill” during rerouting of Route 2
December 2010 to present – City of Gardner
Cleanup planning and implementation
117.
118. Completed to date:
$150,000 EPA funding for assessment by previous owner
Subdivision of property – maximize funding opportunities
Transfer ownership to Gardner Redevelopment Authority
$500,000 from MassDevelopment to develop cleanup plan
and complete Demo
Created Mill Street Corridor Development Overlay District
Cleanup Funding:
$2 million MassWorks Grant
$620,000 U.S. EPA Revolving Loan Fund
$600,000 U.S. EPA Cleanup Grants
119.
120. Realistic Plan with across the board support
Proactive Administration
Proactive Board
RiskTakers
Shared Resources (MOU)
Personnel Capacity
State and Federal funding / partnerships
Private Sector partners
Among Others………….
121. THE END
Trevor M. Beauregard
Executive Director
Gardner Redevelopment Authority
(978) 630-4014, x2
tbeauregard@gardner-ma.gov
123. MISSION:
• Stimulate economic development and new regional investment
• Facilitate redevelopment projects in eight towns with focus on
downtown Hartford
• Manage public venues – XL Center, Rentschler Field, Connecticut
Convention Center and Connecticut Tennis Center
CRDA MISSION AND QUICK HISTORY
1
HISTORY:
• Created in 2012
• Successor to the Capital City Economic Development Authority
(CCEDA)
• Enlarged District
• Broader Authority
• Expanded Board
125. CRDA’S FOCUS ON HOUSING
3
HARTFORD
CRDA STATUTORY GOAL –
3,000 UNITS IN DOWNTOWN
126. 201 Ann Street
5 Constitution Plaza
777 Main
179 Allyn Street
36 Lewis
Street
40 Elm Street
Front Street
Lofts
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
4
Capewell
Hartford Office
Supply
127. HOUSING TRENDS
5
Some stats 2016
• 698 units built by CRDA and available
for lease
• 396 in construction or closing finance
• 477 units rented since February
o 85% of tenants are from outside city
o 84% of tenants are below the age
of 40
• 40+ units absorbed each month (Avg.)
128. HOUSING – YET TO COME
6
2017
• Hartford Office Supply
• Capewell
Plus
• Radisson
• Downtown North
129. CRDA-WHAT ELSE ARE WE UP TO?
7
• Front Street
• UCONN Campus
• State Office Relocation
• XL Center Transformation
• East Hartford
• Citywide and the “Promise Zone”
132. STATE OFFICE RELOCATION
10
• 12-story, 287,000 square feet, built in
1990, $19 million in renovations
• Approximately 1,100 employees of
currently at 25 Sigourney Street
• Relocation completed in May 2014
• 575,000 square feet, two-building
complex built in 1984
• Approximately 2,300 state
employees to relocate in June
2016
• $48 million renovation budget
135. DOWNTOWNS
21
• All price points and amenity packages
critical in housing, retail & entertainment
• Need to adjust as Millennials age
⁻ they won’t necessarily leave when
aging and having children
⁻ need to build larger units, home-
ownership equity opportunity,
services and schools
• Technology-based innovation centers
and opportunities tied to education