Uniroyal project moves forward with plan, demolition

Date: 2/17/2010

Feb. 17, 2010.

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



CHICOPEE -- Another step in what one city official described as a "long journey" was taken last week with the announcement of an agreement between the city and MassDevelopment to create a strategic redevelopment plan for the 65 acres Uniroyal/Facemate site.

The city used $250,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding available because demolition bids came in lower than anticipated. According to Economic Development Director Thomas Haberlin the plan will take three to five months to complete.

Haberlin said the plan would determine "what's doable down there ... [it] will scope out a variety of visions."

He added it would be "reality-based."

This plan will also determine if it is feasible to build a new senior center on part of the Facemate property. Haberlin said people have questioned whether or not the current location is appropriate considering there will be construction in the area for years.

He said studies have already shown the proposed site for the senior center has no groundwater or soil contamination, but because of the soil would require a specialized foundation.

He said the senior center might be placed in another part of the site, closer to Front Street, but that would slow down the construction of the new center.

The first phase of demolition of the former tire factory is continuing and should be completed by spring. Haberlin said once buildings are removed the remediation of contaminated soil can get underway. The complete demolition could take as long as five years to complete and is on a "pay as you go funding."

Mayor Michael Bissonnette said the estimated $20 million demolition budget would not be bonded by the city and he is seeking state and federal money to continue it.

Bissonnette said the preparation of the site is considerable and "no one in the development community is ready to tackle it."

Michelin Tire has assumed the responsibility of the cleanup on the Uniroyal section of the site, but Haberlin said the current plan to form the contaminated soil into a pile and cap it would not help in the redevelopment of the property.

"This is a hugely complex undertaking," he said.