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Date: 11/12/2019
CHICOPEE – The City Council approved the use of $15,000 to allow the Police Department to rent a new space for its downtown substation.
At its Nov. 7 meeting, Police Chief William Jebb explained with the move of the offices of the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, the police had to find a new location for the sub-station. The move is planned to come at the end of the year to 35 Center St., #102.
With public safety in the downtown area a key issue in the recent mayoral race, Jebb said to the council, “We know the issues downtown and want to address them.”
He added the new substation will be larger and uniformed officers will be stationed there 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The location of the new office will make walking beats easier and will have a large enough space for community meetings, Jebb added. He is also considering moving “an element of another unit” to the new location.
“It will be a fully functional substation,” Jess explained.
The council voted favorably to accept grants from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for parkland acquisitions and renovations for the Communities program for improvements to Rivers Park (PARC).
The city has been awarded a reimbursable grant up to $400,000 for the renovation of the park. In information supplied by the city, “The concept design plan for the renovation consists of replacing the aging pool filtration system with modern, super-efficient filters similar to the system at Desmarais Pool at Ray Ash Park. The design also includes the construction of the city’s second community garden, fitness equipment, upgrades to the existing spray feature and restoration of the WWI memorial. The project will also make ADA improvements within the park and create a sidewalk to connect the rear parking lot with the comfort station, pavilion, playground, and pool. The estimated cost for the renovation of Rivers Park is $921,592, which includes design and engineering, construction and a 10 percent contingency.”
Construction can begin after July 1, 2020, and the remaining costs would be reimbursed by the grant program in FY 2021. Construction is expected to begin once bids are accepted and will be completed by June 2021.
“The Parks Department is very excited to make these well-needed improvements and wonderful additions to Rivers Park thanks to the PARC program and the Massachusetts EEA,” said Superintendent of Parks and Recreation Benjamin Strepka. “I thank Mayor Kos, the city council, and the park commission for their support of this project. I would also like to give special thanks to Associate Planner Nathan Moreau for all of his hard work in helping the city secure this grant.”