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Court decision ends years of uncertainty on Uniroyal/Facemate

Date: 3/24/2009

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



CHICOPEE -- The recent court decision that will allow the city to take over the Uniroyal and Facemate properties for demolition, clean-up and future redevelopment was described by Mayor Michael Bissonnette as "15 years of litigation that has come to an end."

The acquisition and development of these properties is seen by the mayor as part of a "big set of dominos" -- projects that are linked together that include the reconstruction of Front Street, a bike path along the former rail line, the widening of the Deady Bridge and the reconstruction of the Davitt Bridge -- that will revitalize the original mill section of the city.

Bissonnette described the city ownership of the property as "transitional," as the goal is to get private concerns to develop the property. The difficulty there is approximately $20 million in cleanup and demolition while the property itself is worth $4 million, he explained.

That is why the city will now be seeking funding for the preparation of the property. Bissonnette said there are 14 potential programs that could supply the necessary money. The city will partner with MassDevelopment for management assistance in the project.

The Uniroyal property will be sold in an auction at which the city is expected to be the only bidder, Bissonnette said. The Facemate property has various liens that require it to go through Land Court in Boston before the city can take ownership, he added.

The city will install monitored fencing around the properties to secure them. Bissonnette said the city would save $60,000 by having the Department of Public Works install the fencing.

He believes that once financing is in place for the asbestos abatement and demolition the sites could be prepared for development within a year.

The Uniroyal/Facemate property will be even more desirable to developers as a 30-acre parcel across the river from it will hopefully be turned into conservation property, Bissonnette explained. The city has applied for state funding for the purchase of the property from Yves Demers. If the state approves the city's application it will reimburse 70 percent of the $500,000 sale price. The city would complete the sales transaction by June 30.

The proposed Chapin Conservation Area has direct access from the end of Mayflower Street and is across the Chicopee River from the Uniroyal property. Historically there was once a covered walking bridge linking the two sides and the city's plans include re-establishing a bridge.

According to the city's application for state funds, re-establishment of the bridge would "facilitate creation of a looped greenway on the south and north banks of the Chicopee River and link the Chapin Conservation Area with Szot Park" as well with the Canal Walk, the proposed Chicopee RiverWalk and the Davitt Bridge fishing area.

Bissonnette said the developer had considered placing an assisted living facility on the property. Neighbors were concerned about the impact the additional traffic would have on the area.

"We listened to the neighborhood," he said.