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Managing Editor INDIAN ORCHARD The demotion of the former Chapman Valve building at 225 Goodwin St. is the first step in the re-use of the 55 acres that once housed a thriving manufacturer. City officials and residents gathered Thursday afternoon for the announcement of the $1.25 million demotion of the city-owned portion of the site. The 12-acre parcel would be cleared sometime in February. David Panagore, the city's chief economic development officers, said the bulk of the rest of the site across the street is in private hands and the city is having continued discussions with the owners about the future of that property. Panagore said the goal for the re-development of the property is to have a use that would be compatible for a residential neighborhood with a two-lane road. The site is one of the last remaining industrial zones in the city he said. A compatible-re-use would be "light industrial," which he explained includes offices and light fabrication. He said the city lacks space for small businesses of this class that employ 20 to 50 people. Because of brown field issues, Panagore said he doubts the property would be used for housing. Panagore stressed the city is going to proceed with caution through the re-development procedure in order to arrive at the best project for the property and would work with the neighborhood. Sue Craven, president of the Indian Orchard Neighborhood Council, said she would like to see a privately owned softball complex at the site. She said the property is large enough to contain four to five diamonds and have space for parking and concessions. Craven said the impetus for the demolition started five years ago with the work of Katie Stebbins and the late City Planner Linda Petrella who completed of the master plan for the neighborhood. Additional projects in the neighborhood include further renovations to the Myrtle Street Park and the construction of a river walk, Craven said. Built in 1942, the site housed the Chapman Valve Manufacturing Facility that made steel valves. After WWII, the Chapman Valve Company bought the facility from the department of defense and continued manufacturing. In 1959 the Crane Company bought Chapman valve Company and operated the factory until 1983. Between 1983 and 1997, various companies used the building, which were foreclosed by the city in December 1997. The demolition work will include the removal of asbestos 12-week process according to Panagore six 15,000-gallon underground storage tanks and the foundation down to four feet. Mayor Charles Ryan said he appreciates the long-standing concerns Indian Orchard residents have about being forgotten by city government. He noted, to applause, the recent reconstruction and paving of Page Boulevard and Berkshire Avenue and said other streets will be repaired as well. The demolition of Chapman Valve is "setting the stage for meaningful light industrial and commercial development," Ryan said. | ||||||
