Parking, safety concerns are being addressed

Date: 10/13/2009

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



CHICOPEE -- Thirty-four downtown businesses -- including State Rep, Joseph Wagner -- have called upon the city to address the parking concerns in the area.

The businesspeople would also like to see the demolition of the former Market Square Billiard building and have that lot used for additional parking.

The businesses turned in a petition to the City Council at its Sept. 30 meeting.

Mayor Michael Bissonnette told Reminder Publications last week the mortgage company that holds the note on the building has foreclosed upon the owners and the city is now in talks to buy the building, which it would turn into a municipal parking lot.

Funding for the project, though, is "always an issue" and the mayor said the city would seek state development dollars for downtown areas. He believes the city could receive money through the establishment of a "Smart Growth" district in the downtown area, he said.

The effort to secure the state classification has been two years in the making and would give the city access to revitalize the downtown area and prevent urban sprawl.

The City Council needs to change an ordinance in order for Chicopee to meet state requirements and Bissonnette anticipates that action will take place in the next several weeks.

If approved, the city would receive $600,000 as well as $3,000 for every new building permit within the district, he said. Those funds could be available within 30 days if the Smart Growth area is designated.

Bissonnette said Chicopee police have responded to concerns about homeless people living at the former billiards hall and are monitoring the property.

He noted that some businesses have expressed serious concerns over the length of time allowed at some parking spaces and said the City Council is the body responsible for setting those times. He said that one problem has been that signs on electrical poles were not replaced when new poles were erected.