Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
| By G. Michael Dobbs Managing Editor SPRINGFIELD Where there was once a deserted lot 170 Pendleton Ave. in the Old Hill section of Springfield is now a new three-bedroom energy efficient home and according to Peter Gagliardi of HAP, the first of many to help revitalize a section of the neighborhood. The home will be open to prospective buyers on Dec. 17 from 1 to p.m. and will be for sale to qualified low-income first-time homebuyers. The asking price is below $110,000. Gagliardi said the lot was one of the first several lots on Pendleton Avenue that had been targeted by the partners for the Renewal of Old Hill a collaboration between HAP, Inc., Springfield College, the city of Springfield, the Old Hill Neighborhood Council, Springfield Neighborhood Housing Services and Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity. The goal of the collaboration is to build 100 new homes in the next five years. This house is the first and Gagliardi said there are five more currently under construction. Gagliardi said the strategy is to concentrate on reviving a section of Old Hill that includes Pendleton Avenue, Tyler Street and part of Eastern Avenue building single family homes on abandoned lots. The homes presently being built will be similar to the two-story house now for sale. The home features a large combination living area, kitchen and half-bath on the first floor and three bedrooms and a full bath on the second floor. The basement is unfinished. Gagliardi said the homes would be built to Energy Star standards for energy efficiency. He said the line of credit established by Springfield College to built the 100 homes was used for the first home and a grant from Western Massachusetts Electric Company provided funding for its energy efficient features. He believes the infusion of new homeowners will eventually make the neighborhood attractive again to private developers. "We will be successful when private housing is working in the neighborhood again," he said. |