State goes around city for funding for Longhill Gardens
Date: 3/31/2009
By G. Michael Dobbs
Managing Editor
SPRINGFIELD -- On March 24 Mayor Domenic Sarno wrote state housing officials asking them to consider altering the redevelopment plans for Longhill Gardens to include market rate housing. He had no idea that those same state officials had asked HUD to release federal funds to underwrite the project as it was planned on March 18.
The city was not notified of the state's actions until this reporter gave photocopies of the state's request to HUD to the mayor's office. Springfield Forward, a citizen advocacy group that has fought the establishment of low-income housing at the closed apartment complex, supplied the documents.
Mayoral Communications Director Thomas Walsh told Reminder Publications on Friday that City Solicitor Edward Pikula was analyzing the document sent to HUD to determine if it trumps Sarno's authority to release federal HOME funds for the project.
George Pappas of Springfield Forward said that to stop HUD from action one needs to send an official objection -- the right of any Springfield or Massachusetts resident. The objections have to be in HUD's office by April 2. An objection by Springfield Forward will be filed, Pappas said.
Pappas said the state committed "a disingenuous act" by filing for the release of funds without notifying Sarno and city housing officials.
The proposed development by WinnDevelopment would demolish some of the existing buildings to decrease density and increase off-street parking and renovate the buildings into housing designed for low-income residents.
The highly controversial project has split the Forest Park neighborhood. The movement to stop the project, as it is currently planned, has received the support of several neighborhood councils, City Council members, State Rep. Cheryl Coakley Rivera and Registrar of Deeds Donald Ashe.
Sarno had written Massachusetts Undersecretary of Housing and Economic development Tina Brooks on March 19, 2008 that WinnDevelopment had to "reach an agreement with the neighborhood before moving forward."
In his March 24, 2009 letter, Sano wrote Brooks stating, "In light of recent developments at the federal level, I would like to explore with you opportunities that may help WinnDevelopment (Winn) to add a substantial market rate component to the proposed Longhill Gardens project. Winn has secured funding commitments to redevelop the boarded-up condominium development and the redevelopment plan has many positive factors, including a significant reduction in unit density and the incorporation of parking at the site. Despite the potential positive aspects of the project and the good reputation of Winn, the neighborhood is divided in its support because the current program does not include market rate units and, therefore, does not balance the housing inventory in a way that will accommodate families of varying incomes. My original letter to you in support of this project was predicated on Winn s commitment to find a reasonable agreement with neighborhood residents. A market rate component to this project will address many of the concerns expressed by the neighborhood and support Winn's efforts to address those very concerns."
Sarno asked Brooks to consider amending the project to include 40 percent market rate housing. Walsh said Sarno had not received a response as yet from Brooks on this issue.
Pappas said the state "is trying to shove this thing down our throats."
