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Looks like Longhill will be low-income for the long haul

George Pappas of the Springfield Forward advocacy group had opposed the proposed development, saying the Forest Park neighborhood didn't need an additional cluster of low-income apartments. Reminder Publications photo by G. Michael Dobbs
By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



SPRINGFIELD A state decision to provide funding for the proposed redevelopment of the Longhill Garden apartments was welcomed by some and questioned by others last week.

The Longhill Gardens funding was part of a $142 million pool from state housing programs and equity leveraged from private sector investment in low-income housing tax credits, according to the Aug. 12 press release from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).

The Longhill Gardens project was one of two projects in the city that received funding, the other being the Worthington House Campus. It will renovate the apartments currently owned by Citibank into 109 low-income housing units.

George Pappas of the Springfield Forward advocacy group had opposed the proposed development, saying the Forest Park neighborhood didn't need an additional cluster of low-income apartments. The group had tried to change Mayor Domenic Sarno's mind about backing the Winn Development proposal in March with a thick packet of letters from residents protesting the plan.

Sarno said, in a written statement to Reminder Publications, "I exhausted all plausible and available options before reaching a decision regarding the redevelopment of this transitional delicate area. Once the decision was made, I remained adamant and steadfast about placing stipulations on the development company to abide by and work with the neighborhood to stabilize this area."

Those stipulations included making sure funding was available for the demolition for 96 structurally unsound units therefore reducing the density to 112 units from 211.

Pappas said his group had appealed to Congressman Richard Neal, Senators Ted Kennedy and John Kerry as well as Gov. Deval Patrick to help stop the proposed reuse. Pappas said received no response except from the governor.

Springfield Forward had advocated for more competition among developers to come up with alternatives to low-income housing. In a press release, the group said, "Springfield Forward believes that Springfield has become a regional dumping ground for the poor and disadvantaged. Our social services are overwhelmed and this city can not sustain additional subsidized housing."

Pappas maintained that the state would not ultimately fund the $20 million project the state's contribution was $4.4 million in state and federal tax credits and program subsidies because the city was not in compliance with a 1997 consent decree requiring a balanced housing plan be developed and implemented to the Department of Housing and Urban Development's satisfaction.

Philip Hailer, the spokesman for DHCD, said that all of the criteria for the award of the state funds had been met. He said that DHCD officials had told him that the housing plan compliance was not an issue for the state.

David Panagore, the city's chief development officer, said the city has been receiving low income tax credit and funding from HUD for the past 10 years and the city has been regularly reporting on its housing plan.

Panagore said that while he was sorry that not all residents approved of the redevelopment plan, this plan was a far better option than either allowing the sub-standard living conditions to exist or permitting vacant buildings to stand.

Springfield Forward's press release maintained, "Today the crime rate in Springfield is down 15 percent in large measure because these police resources are no longer monopolized by the drug dealers, pimps, murderers and other criminals at 'murder alley.'"

Panagore said that he doubted the closing of the apartments at Longhill Gardens could have such an immediate effect on the city's crime rate. He also cautioned that equating the residents of low-income housing with being the generators of crime as bordering on racism.

The screening process used by Winn Companies at its other developments will help insure a safer community, he added.

Gilbert Winn of Winn Companies said that with the state approval his company will enter the "closing mode" of finalizing construction plans and securing financing. He said this stage should take three to six months and that construction should begin during the first quarter of 2009.

He added a community meeting would be arranged within a month to report progress to residents.

When asked if the city needs more low-income housing, Winn first noted that now all of the condo units in the complex will come under the rehab project. There are private owners of some of the condos. He also said the city's demographics show there is a need for more low-income housing.

He said the previous owner of the complex had rented out the units at a market rate and that that effort had clearly failed.