Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 12/6/2022
SPRINGFIELD – Davenport Advisors will be developing the historic 169 Maple St. property into 11 residential units after receiving special permit approval from the City Council during its Nov. 29 meeting.
The space previously operated as the Parsons apartment complex before the city foreclosed the property.
In June, Mayor Domenic Sarno and Chief Development Officer Tim Sheehan issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the purchase and redevelopment of the location, which is a part of the Ridgewood Historic District. The building was constructed in 1920 and is approximately 30,552 square feet, sited on a 7,454-square-foot lot. The assessed value of the property is $150,000, according to a city press release.
The city foreclosed on the property after the non-payment of taxes. In the RFP, city leadership detailed their interest in preserving the location’s historic nature and restoring the site’s use as a “productive, well-managed apartment building.”
Sarno highlighted his vision for the property via a June press release.
“This property is key for the continued revitalization of the neighborhood, and we are excited to see its potential to continue to enhance the aesthetics and amenities for our business community and residents, especially our seniors,” said Sarno.
During the council meeting, Davenport Asset Manager Joy Martin presented the project. She shared that Davenport intends to follow all state and federal historic guidelines while rehabilitating the apartment complex. The apartments will also be priced at market rate value, with Martin approximating a monthly rate of $2,000.
Martin expects the project to cost $3.3 million. The project already received $250,000 in Community Preservation Act funding from the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) after the council approved a 2023, out-of-cycle request during their Nov. 14 meeting by an 8-4 vote. CPC Chairperson Robert McCarroll shared that the Springfield Preservation Trust would additionally provide $100,000 to the project due to its historical nature.
Most of the building’s exterior will remain the same, although interior improvements and the inclusion of a handicap accessible entrance will be added. Martin said Davenport will also replace the site’s defunct elevator in an effort to make it more handicap accessible.
The 11 apartments will include three bedrooms, two full bathrooms and a full complement of laundry equipment. The apartments are approximately 2,000 square feet in size, according to Martin.
Martin shared that a diversity hiring initiative with be implemented by general contractor Foxtrot Construction during the redevelopment. She also explained that Davenport Advisors is a state certified, minority-owned business.
“We will be working with [Foxtrot] as the general contractor to ensure that there is diversity and local hiring for all the subcontractors on this work,” said Martin.
Dentist Anthony Breglio operates his practice at a neighboring 167 Maple St location. Aside from some concerns about construction impacting his truncated parking lot, Breglio expressed his support for the project.
“I am glad they are coming,” said Breglio during his testimony to the council.
Some members of the council expressed initial concern with the project during the Nov. 14 meeting due to the project’s implementation of market rate apartments instead of affordable housing units. City Councilors At-Large Justin Hurst and Tracye Whitfield, Ward 1 City Councilor Maria Perez and Ward 8 City Councilor Zaida Govan voted against the project receiving CPA funding on Nov. 14 due to that issue.
“In our city, we need affordable housing. We have [professionals] that live here and make good money, but they don’t make good enough money to afford what we call market rate housing … I would really love to see our city increase in people who are working here and living here,” said Govan during the Nov. 14 meeting.
When asked about the apartments’ pricing, Martin explained that the apartments’ large space dictated the need for market rate pricing as opposed to affordable housing rates.
“I think what it offers to the city is a larger living space for extended families or families that live together … It’s very rare these days that you find three full bedrooms with full living rooms [and] full dining rooms,” said Martin.
The council ultimately approved the special permit in a unanimous vote. Additionally, the council approved a zoning change from Residence C to Commercial P for a property at SS Central Street.
Davenport requested the zone change after acquiring the property as a part of the RFP. The area will be used as parking for the apartment complex.