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Date: 1/18/2023
CHICOPEE – Mayor John Vieau is looking forward to several key developments that will occur across 2023.
City Hall continues to be modernized through two phases of renovation. After completing the first phase at the end of 2021, Vieau said design has just been completed for phase two. It will require funding approval from the City Council before additional renovations can be enacted, but Vieau considers the repairs a necessary inclusion.
“I hope the council see what I see ... The people that work here in this building deserve it,” said Vieau in an interview with Reminder Publishing.
Phase two focuses on interior improvements, such as remodeled office suites, enhanced security and technology services and renovations to the City Council’s chamber on the fourth floor.
Ensuring a safe community is a top priority for Vieau. Following a series of pedestrian accidents that occurred near the end of 2022, Vieau and his team are working on a safety improvement project that will look to update antiquated street crossings and the installation of additional signage, such as flashing beacons.
“[Chief of Staff] Mike [Pise] has been compiling a list ... They are working on trying to enhance and make them safer. We want Chicopee to be safer, and that’s an important part of it,” said Vieau.
Public safety will also be reinforced by additional police officers. Vieau announced the hiring of five new police officers and 10 more who are in academy training as the Chicopee Police Department gets closer to employing a full compliment of officers. Vieau considers their hiring a benefit to public safety, which is a key pillar of his administration.
“Public safety is paramount to my administration, it always has been since day one,” said Vieau, who said the number of speeding tickets will continue to rise with the new officers incorporated into the force.
The opening of a C3 Police Station in Willimansett is expected to occur in 2023. Vieau shared that Police Chief Patrick Major is interviewing candidates to run the new community police center that will work to strengthen public relations.
“I am excited for this opportunity ... the Police Department are excited about getting intimately involved in the neighborhood in Willimansett,” said Vieau.
Vieau continues to spearhead a clean city initiative. Along with a recent contest promoting the design of a logo for a cleanup project, Vieau recently hired David Rice to work as the city’s new facilities director. Vieau aspires for Chicopee to become one of the cleanest communities in the commonwealth, and stressed that they initiative will start with municipal buildings.
“Our clean city initiative is something that’s super important … I’m excited to lead by example,” said Vieau.
Several building developments will also occur throughout Chicopee. Vieau expects to break ground on the Post 9/11 & Service Dog Memorial Park – a multi-purpose park in honor of post-9/11 veterans and service dogs that will open on Westover Road. The park is a collaboration between city leaders, such as Vieau, Planning Director Lee Pouliot and Veteran Services Director
Stephanie Shaw, and is supported by input from the veteran community.
Vieau expects the reflective recreational space to be a new staple in Chicopee.
“It’s something very special for Western Massachusetts, not just Chicopee … It’s a very unique, nontraditional park that will be a destination for school field trips,” said Vieau.
Vieau said several new restaurants, like Hot Table on Memorial Drive, are set to open in 2023. After a soft opening in the fall of 2022, Captain Jack’s Roadside Shack will operate full-time in the Center Space pavilion in Chicopee Center.
Additionally, the city and Valley Opportunity Council continue to develop a residential space in Chicopee Center that will house eight families. The project joins the ongoing progress of the $50 million Baskin warehouse redevelopment project for housing endeavors. Once completed, the multi-purpose space on West Main Street will house 107 market-rate renters.
Redevelopment of the former library on Chicopee Center continues to occur. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds will be used to remodel the space, which will be utilized for offices, a performance venue and different opportunities for the entrepreneur community.
“It’s going to be a great tool to hopefully draw more people downtown,” said Vieau.
Szot Park will also receive ARPA funds for the development of a master plan. The plan will create holistic improvements for the park’s infrastructures.
Vieau expects the city to send out a request for proposal for the former Uniroyal space in 2023. The city has worked diligently since 2009 to rehabilitate the space after contamination occurred. In addition, Chicopee will continue to secure the defunct Cabotville Mill space as they undergo a legal process with property owner, SilverBrick LLC.
For Chicopee schools, Vieau highlighted the start of the Anna E. Barry Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) project. He also expects a final decision to be made about the school department’s new administrative offices, which are tentatively rented out at Dulong Circle.
The hiring of a new superintendent will also occur in 2023. The Chicopee School Committee will be interviewing Acting Superintendent Alvin Morton, Lee-Tyringham Union 29 School District Superintendent Michael J. Richard and Windham Public Schools Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives Marcus L. Ware in January.
Looking ahead in 2023, Vieau remains optimistic about the city’s progress.
“Chicopee has a lot of potential, I think we’re heading in the right direction,” said Vieau.