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Date: 12/29/2021
CHICOPEE – In an effort to revitalize downtown Chicopee, Mayor John Vieau announced the appropriation of $225,000 toward the old Chicopee library space during the Dec. 21 City Council meeting.
The project, which also secured $125,000 in funding earlier this month as a part of the MassDevelopment Underutilized Property Program grant, will combine $50,000 from the Community Development Block Grant alongside the proposed appropriated funds to make the project a reality. In his address to the council, Vieau discussed how he envisions the remodeled space as an incubator for new business ideas.
“Our goal is to use that space for potential new business ideas. We’re hopeful that the Chamber [of Commerce] will be interested working intimately with those new prospective businesses,” said Vieau. The mayor also detailed improvements needed to make a suitable space, including implementing American Disability Act accessibility throughout each facet of the building.
Alongside new business ideas, the mayor said the reinvented library could become host to the Chicopee Fresh market during months of inclement weather and become a destination for different community initiatives. “We’re going to let this property organically grow into something special,” said Vieau.
Planning Director Lee Pouliot spoke to the council about the origin of the project. “It’s an idea that’s been growing for a period of time. It’s really become a priority,” said Pouliot. Before the city applied for the MassDevelopment grant, the planning director shared that project was reviewed and fine tuned by various state agencies, who praised the project for its economic development opportunities.
The planning director also detailed the timeline behind the project, sharing that the city has “significant work” to accomplish before the space is accessible. “There is going to be some time between us figuring out the design work that needs to be done, getting the project fully engineered and the work completed before we bring in tenants. I don’t want anyone to expect we will have people in that building in three months,” said Pouliot.
Ward 1 Councilor Joel McAuliffe praised the planning department and the mayor’s office for revitalizing the old library space with a “stellar” application. “I want to commend you mayor and your administration for making the library a focal point of your economic development plans. It’s a key component to getting this downtown going,” said McAuliffe. City Councilor At-Large Robert Zygarowski also applauded the city for finding a creative avenue for the previously dormant space.
After discussion, the appropriated funds were approved in a unanimous vote.