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Date: 5/2/2023
CHICOPEE — After a prolonged process, phase 1 of the Bemis Pond Dam removal will soon begin.
Planning and Development Director Lee Pouliot said the city received bids — four bids from four different companies — for the first phase on April 13.
“The city is in the due diligence process anticipating making an award in the next few weeks. If that happens, in late May/early June construction for phase 1 will begin,” said Pouliot.
During the Feb. 15, 2022, City Council meeting, Chicopee Mayor John Vieau said the restructuring is a byproduct of the structures’ failed inspection by the Office of Dam and Safety. “The Office of Dam and Safety has told us we either need to replace that dam or remove it. We’ve all decided to remove it. This is going to help with design of that passive area around the Abbey Brook,” said Vieau.
Pouliot shared that the work in phase 1 includes breaching of the lower dam and restoration of Abbey Brook to the upper dam on Front Street.
He noted that they will also be constructing trails among other educational aspects.
Work on the dam is expected to continue through summer 2024, although Pouliot said the schedule will be refined once the construction company is awarded.
The funding sources for phase 1 include $5 million from the city’s American Rescue Plan Act funds and $2.9 million from the Massachusetts Department of Economic Restoration.
Pouliot acknowledged other grants that assisted in getting here. This includes funding from Section 319 Water Quality, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Massachusetts Dam and Seawall program, all of which went into the earlier phases of work.
One question Pouliot has heard regarding this project is whether the park will remain open.
He shared that the facility will be open, but the construction area related to this project will be fenced off until it is complete. The park will be available for the next two seasons.
After close to 10 years of work on this project, Pouliot said he is “excited” to see this begin and hopes it is a “seamless transition” of work.