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Neighbors voice concerns

By G. Michael Dobbs, Managing Editor

CHICOPEE The new women's correctional facility, the impact of Holyoke Catholic High School, and the status of the Rivoli Theater development project were among the topics discussed at a Ward Two neighborhood meeting presented by Ward Two Alderman Chuck Swider at the American Legion Post 452 last Thursday.

Hampden County Sheriff Michael Ashe told the residents and city officials gathered for the meeting the new women's correctional facility is the first of its kind in the state to be built in 125 years. The facility will have 134 new staff members and up to 210 inmates who will serves sentences up to 2 1/2 years.

The facility will be dedicated Sept. 13 and will open Sept. 23.

Mayor Michael Bissonnette expressed his view that the additional traffic created by staff members along the Center Street corridor should be a boon to Chicopee businesses. Center Street itself is due for a major reconstruction and Bissonnette added a developer is interested in the parcel of land currently used as two junkyards. If the plans come to fruition, one of the junkyards would be eliminated, while the other would be moved.

Another project Bissonnette believes would drive more potential customers to Chicopee businesses is Holyoke Catholic High School on Springfield Street. He added the groundbreaking for the construction would be next month.

Residents who live near the new school were concerned about the impact hundreds of cars will have on their neighborhood and what the parking plans are for the school. One abutter said he and his wife have "been kept in the dark" and school officials haven't discussed a parking plan with the neighbors.

One Pleasant Street resident said, "It's [the new high school] not all peaches and cream as it looks on the surface."

Bissonnette said the Diocese of Springfield has yet to deliver a parking plan to the city and will make sure a neighborhood meeting is conducted once the plan is delivered. Bissonnette estimated the students and staff of the school would need approximately 150 parking places. Residents were concerned that on-street parking would block the entrances to their homes and create traffic problems on the narrow streets in the area.

Swider said school officials were invited to the forum, but didn't come.

Prior to the meeting Bissonnette, Elms College Vice President of Finance and Administration Brian Doherty, and Chicopee Economic Development Director Thomas Haberlin met with Rivoli Theater owner Konrad Wargulewski for a tour of the theater and office complex and an update on his progress.

Bissonnette said Wargulewski would meet with Haberlin this week to discuss a recently renovated theater complex in Pittsfield and how it was funded. Wargulewski has done much work on renovating the retail storefronts and the second floor offices, but only has one tenant at the present time.

Wargulewski has gutted the theater, taking out all of the seats and removed the ceiling, and much of the floor, but his renovations have stalled.

Wargulewski is still very dedicated to the project and told The Chicopee Herald he recently moved to Chicopee.

Originally Wargulewski's intention was to house a European style disco in the vintage movie house. He has stated, though, the facility could be used for other entertainment events as well with a relationship with the Elms College. The mayor sees the theater as a performing arts center that would be the venue for a variety of cultural events.

To complete the project, Bissonnette sees the need for collaboration between the public and private sectors.