Chestnut Park receives $10.2 million grant from state for renovations

Aug. 3, 2018 | G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com

Mayor Domenic Sarno, Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Jay Ashe and Jeff Brodsky of Related Companies, made the announcement last week that Chestnut Park will receive $10.2 million for its renovations from the Commonwealth.
Reminder Publications photo by G. Michael Dobbs

SPRINGFIELD – Jay Ashe may have been 20 minutes late for the press conference about a state grant that will help finance a major renovation to Chestnut Park on Chestnut Street, but he had a response for his tardiness.

“I have $10 million reasons why you should be happy I’m here,” he said to laughter.

Ashe was making the local announcement of this year’s affordable rental housing awards, which will provide $57 million in direct subsidies for 19 projects to fund the development, renovation and preservation of housing opportunities throughout the state.

Developments in Springfield, Holyoke, Northampton and Great Barrington were among the 19 grants.

Chestnut Park received $10.2 million. The complete restoration cost of the development is $45 million.

Jeff Brodsky, vice chairman of Related Companies, the owners of the buildings, explained the renovation would be far-reaching. The lone amenity the complex of 489 apartments now has is a pool and he said it would be replaced with a large lounge area for residents, a computer center, a fitness area, a children’s playground and a laundry center.

There will be new elevators installed and each apartment will have new air conditioning units and bathrooms.

Brodsky said the project will take 18 months to complete and did admit it will inconvenience the residents. He added there would be no displacement of residents.

He said he hopes to eliminate the convenience store in the complex and would like to see retail components “more creative to knitting the fabric of the community together.”

When completed, the complex will be a mixture of affordable and workforce units.

The apartment complex currently houses more than 1,500 people.

Ashe said he grew up in affordable housing and knows how important it is to a community.

“We believe in Springfield. We believe in affordable housing. Most importantly we believe in people,” Ashe said.

He added, “The good news the economy is humming.”

Mayor Domenic Sarno noted the complex is now the home of the new police substation and is adjacent to Pynchon Plaza, which when renovated will provide a connection to the Quadrangle.

In a written statement, Gov. Charlie Baker said, “These rental housing awards support our Administration’s commitment to create more housing opportunities in neighborhoods across Massachusetts. We have also drafted legislation to develop 135,000 units of new housing by 2025 that has been endorsed by several businesses, local officials, trade organizations and community groups, and encourage the Legislature to pass this bill to build more affordable housing and support economic development in every zip code.”

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