Developers seek to partner with town for Woolson Block project grant

The Springfield Housing Authority (SHA) and Housing Vermont are hoping to partner with the town of Springfield to apply for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for the purposes of developing the Woolson Block, which sits currently unoccupied in downtown Springfield.

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2017-06-24 / Front Page Developers seek to partner with town for Woolson Block project grant By KELSEY CHRISTENSEN kchristensen@eagletimes.com Developers of the Woolson Block in downtown Springfield are seeking the town's help in applying for a $750,000 Community Development Block Grant to fund the building's re-development. — KELSEY CHRISTENSENDevelopers of the Woolson Block in downtown Springfield are seeking the town's help in applying for a $750,000 Community Development Block Grant to fund the building's re-development. — KELSEY CHRISTENSENSPRINGFIELD, Vt. — The Springfield Housing Authority (SHA) and Housing Vermont are hoping to partner with the town of Springfield to apply for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for the purposes of developing the Woolson Block, which sits currently unoccupied in downtown Springfield. Because CDBG grants must be awarded to a township, the SHA and Housing Vermont must seek the sponsorship of the town. The town of Springfield will hold a public hearing to address concerns or suggestions the community may have regarding the project. The SHA and Housing Vermont have already acquired the Woolson Block building. Pending partnership with the town, the grant application will be submitted in August. The SHA and Housing Vermont are seeking $750,000 in CDBG funds. The Department of Housing and Urban Development will decide if Springfield will be awarded the grant in October. The SHA and Housing Vermont intend to develop the property for mixed residential and commercial use. The renovated Woolson Block would feature affordable housing as well as commercial space in the recessed-entries on the first floor. Under the SHA and Housing Vermont’s plan, the Woolson Block will also house a Youth in Transition program, modeled after Brattleboro’s Youth Services program. Springfield Housing Authority Executive Director Bill Morlock says that the Woolson Block has been in disrepair, and that drug issues seem to proliferate around the building. “Hopefully some of these young people will have a chance to turn their lives around,” Morlock said. “[We’re] going to create some affordable housing,” he continued. “And it’s another piece of the puzzle to making the downtown a little move vibrant.” Springfield On the Move Executive Director Stephen Plunkard worked with local company Indelible Inc. to design, print, and hang schematics and renderings of the proposed renovations. The Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce, Springfield on the Move, and Springfield Regional Development Corporation (SRDC) are already working to ensure that the Woolson Block will have commercial lessees when the development is complete. “Springfield on the Move, the Chamber, and the SRDC are all trying to support getting someone in the commercial space,” said Bob Flint, director of the SRDC. “This is an important project for Springfield.” Flint feels that the Woolson Block, which has been a negative cornerstone of the Springfield downtown, can now be a positive fixture of the downtown. He feels that SHA and Housing Vermont’s previous work has proven their goodwill and commitment to Springfield. Previously, the SHA and Housing Vermont partnered to acquire the burned-down movie theater, located in the Springfield Commons, and successfully lobbied for a CDBG grant to redevelop and reopen the Springfield Movie Theater. “I think it’s no secret that downtown Springfield would benefit from the investment and redevelopment of a prominent building,” said Matt Moore of Housing Vermont. “With the improvements, we hope we can attract new businesses and enterprises to Springfield.” The SHA and Housing Vermont have already mounted a feasibility study and are receiving engineering consultation, as well as consultation on the historical preservation of the structure. According to the Connecticut River Joint Commissions, the Woolson Block was established in 1839 for the production of cloth finishing machinery and is considered an excellent example of Italianate architecture. “We’ve started understanding what we can do with the building,” said Moore. The CDBG funds won’t fund the entirety of the redevelopment, but the SHA and Housing Vermont have already generated other funding sources to arrive at the total project budget amount of $7 million. The Vermont Housing and Conservation Board has already provided $425,000, which helped cover the costs of assessment and feasibility studies. HUD granted an additional $425,000 through their HOME Investment Partnerships program. The partners have also been awarded low-income housing tax credits, which could finance 70 percent of the construction budget. According to Moore, housing credits are syndicated and sold resulting in a private equity investment from local and regional banks. Morlock is confident they will earn the support of the town and be able to move forward with the grant application. “Anyone who knows me knows the programs I run are run well. Historically, we’ve been good at renovating buildings so that they become an asset for the town rather than a liability,” Morlock said. “We’re confident that this is going to be a good thing for the town.” Springfield Town Manager Tom Yennerell could not be reached for comment.