Woolson Block project secures more funding

A planned project to renovate the Woolson Block in Springfield is gaining momentum after the announcement that project organizers were awarded an additional $850,000 from the Vermont Housing Conservation Board earlier this month.

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2017-05-23 / Front Page Woolson Block project secures more funding By CAMERON PAQUETTE cameronp@eagletimes.com SPRINGFIELD Vt. — A planned project to renovate the Woolson Block in Springfield is gaining momentum after the announcement that project organizers were awarded an additional $850,000 from the Vermont Housing Conservation Board earlier this month. Springfield Housing Authority Director William Morlock updated the Springfield Selectboard Monday evening on the project, including the May 10 financial award. He said that the recent award leaves fundraising at about $4.4 million of the approximately $7 million goal for the project, which includes renovations throughout the building, rental units, commercial units on the main floor, and the removal of the north corner at the back of the building. “Things are progressing nicely,” Morlock said. The historic mixed-use Woolson Block building at 39 Main St. in downtown Springfield is being developed through a partnership between Housing Vermont and the Springfield Housing Authority, who were granted a revolving $200,000 loan from the town selectboard in August 2016 for the purchase of the property. The two housing agencies are partnering with a group of seven area agencies lead by Health Care and Rehabilitation Services to form a Youth In Transition program in the building, which would provide transitional housing for youths age 17 to 23, as well as counseling and case management services. Danielle Southwell, a consultant for the Youth In Transition program, said the program is based on a model that has been in utilized in Brattleboro since 2011. In addition to the residential units for program participants and the residential manager, the plan also calls for office space for case management. Southwell said there will also be security cameras. The program itself “has amazing outcomes” in Brattleboro and Bellows Falls, Southwell said. When looking at metrics such as whether or not participants are enrolled in school, have some source of income or a stable living situation, the program has shown an 85 percent success rate, she said. “It’s a huge opportunity for the youth of Springfield,” she said, adding that in the Springfield area, 40 have been identified as people that could use the program. “The need is there.” The length of stay would be based on the need of the individual. Southwell is not expecting stays longer six months, as the program is meant to help people “just to get settled and on to the next aspect of life.” Of the 20 planned apartment units in the building, four on the first floor will be used for the program, with an additional unit for the program’s resident manager. The remaining 15 units on the second and third floors will be available as low income housing for those making 60 percent of the median income for the area. Morlock said at Monday’s meeting that this would extend to couples and families, and said that rental rates would be similar to those at the Ellis Block also managed by the Springfield Housing Authority. In addition to the residential space, Morlock said large placards with information on the retail space’s dimensions and a phone number to call for inquiries will fill the windows of the open retail spaces on the first floor. The placards will be backlit, and will feature different scenes to give passersby some idea as to what could go in the space, such as a bar, coffee shop or clothing store, according to Morlock. The basement of the building is only planned for use as storage space at this time, according to Morlock. Morlock said he hopes to have the placards in place by mid June. He anticipates major construction to begin in early 2018, with completion by 2019 if all goes as planned. “I think it’s exciting for the community,” said Selectboard Chair Kristi Morris. “It’s going to add something to the downtown.”