More tornado damaged housing in South End is restored

Date: 10/3/2014

SPRINGFIELD – Another vestige of the damage from the June 1, 2011 tornado has been addressed.
   
The official re-opening of the apartment complex at 22-24 Winthrop St. was conducted on Sept. 26. The repairs and renovation to the century-old structure are part of a $9.45 million project by Home City Housing that includes restorations at 71 Adams St., 91-93 Pine St., 116 Hancock and 130 Tyler streets.
   
Mayor Domenic Sarno noted the roof had been “shredded off” of the building during the storm three years ago.
   
He said the city needs “good strong affordable housing.”
   
The project was underwritten through a combination of funders that included, the Department of Housing and Community development (DHCD), MassHousing, the city of Springfield, the Department of Energy Resources, the Massachusetts Housing Equity Fund LLC, the Life Insurance Community Investment Initiative LLC, the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation, Macy’s Retail Holding Inc., Commerce Insurance Company and the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts.
   
Aaron Gornstein, the undersecretary for Housing and Community Development, said, “This the kind of investment we love making at DHCD.” A he added that preserving existing housing is “deeply need in Springfield and the community.”
   
Tom Kegelman, the executive director of Home City Housing, recalled that because the buildings had lost their roofs, it was essential to cover the buildings with tarps as soon as possible to prevent damage from rain. He thanked the contractor who undertook that job.
   
The 16 apartments were renovated with new kitchens and restored porch areas. There are still units available to rent, Kegelman said.
   
The company, which owns and/or manages more than 489 units of mixed income housing in Springfield, Chicopee and Northampton, had responded to a Request for Proposal issued by Springfield for the former Elias Brookings School, what was also damaged in the tornado.  
   
Kegelman said the concept would be to convert the school in 45 units of both affordable and market rate housing. The apartments would have one or two bedroom units, although there would also be some three-bedroom units.
   
Sarno said the city has yet to make a decision on the proposal.