CHICOPEE – Interested in commercial properties in the city? There are two parcels featured in a pair of Requests for Proposals (RFP) that might be right for your business.

The parcels are the former Racing Oil Gas Station on Center Street and the Facemate Lot #1 (former Baskin parcel).

Planning and Development Director Lee Pouliot explained to Reminder Publishing that this was the second time the city has released RFPs for both properties. “We didn’t get the response we were hoping for,” he said.

The Center Street location of the former gas station is zoned Business B, he said. This classification would allow for small-scale businesses and professional services. Retail stores, service businesses such as dry cleaner, banks and offices could be considered for that parcel.

He added an additional feature of the property is it is located on Center Street close to the intersection of I-391 and the entrance to downtown.

“Anything business-related would work there,” he said.

The redevelopment of the former gas station property is part of the overall plans the city has for downtown, which includes the former industrial space of Cabotville and Lyman Mills into market-rate housing.  

The other parcel is in the Facemate area in Chicopee Falls and is zoned industrial. Pouliot said that while the uses in an area zoned industrial are defined, because the parcel is in a mill conversion overlay district the city would consider “almost anything.” He added, “It’s extremely flexible.”

He said the parcel could be used for commercial use or mixed use. He said that officespace or residential units could be developed there.

Adjoining parcels on the location of the former Facemate business now include the River Mills Center and a new assisted living development.

The city is hoping developers note the advantages of being in this are close to those two developments, he added.

“The Racing Oil and Baskin properties each provide a unique opportunity for redevelopment in two neighborhoods that are currently undergoing major revitalization. As former Brownfields Properties, the city has invested significant federal, state and local resources to address environmental conditions to allow developers to maximize the development potential of each property,” Pouliot said.

If interested in learning more, contact Brian Salamon, Purchasing Agent at The Purchasing Department, 274 Front St., 2nd Floor, City Hall Annex or by  phone at 594-1557 or email at  bsalamon@chicopeema.gov.

The deadline for proposals is Feb. 14 at 11a.m. in the Purchasing Department. Following submission, all proposals will be evaluated and scored against the evaluation criteria as detailed in the documents.

“I thank our City Council and Planning Department for their efforts in accomplishing a systematic approach to Brownfields redevelopment opportunities in our city. These redevelopment opportunities were made possible due to support from federal and state resources and I look forward to seeing these sites redeveloped and back on the tax rolls,” said Mayor John L. Vieau.