Local contractors are already at work on the two-year renovations project.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass.–(Business Wire)–
The Springfield Housing Authority (SHA) announced the federalization of the
Robinson Gardens, Reed Village, and Duggan Park developments yesterday, which
will lead to more than $15 million in improvements in order to bring them up to
HUD standards. Contracts have already been awarded to several local companies
for design services, construction supervision, and physical improvements with
the eventual local economic impact estimated at $30 million.
“Springfield led the Commonwealth in converting state projects into federal
developments. That`s a win for today’s tenants and a win for preserving
affordable housing for future generations,” stated Richard A. Walega, HUD New
England regional director. “I`m happy to celebrate the success of a wonderful
collaboration between the state and federal government and will be even more
thrilled to see workers making the needed improvements to Springfield`s housing.
Good housing means good jobs.” As part of the announcement, Mr. Walega visited
the Robinson Gardens development where local contractors were already at work
renovating kitchens.
“The money to maintain these units has just not been there,” noted William H.
Abrashkin, executive director of the Springfield Housing Authority. “This is a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This project is going to elevate not only the
physical standard of living but also the level of opportunity for the children
who live here.”
Funding sources for the new construction include $1.8 million awarded to the SHA
under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and $13.1 million awarded by
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Housing and Community Development
(DHCD). Renovations will include kitchens, windows, and siding and will involve
as many as twelve local contractors. The work is expected to take up to two
years to complete.
“There was a pretty good chance that the disinvestment in these projects would
have eventually resulted in them not being livable,” observed Mr. Walega. “That
is the worst outcome that we could ever imagine. I congratulate the SHA on its
efforts and understand that it received the largest bond award of any community
in the Commonwealth to help improve these projects right away and create the
kind of jobs that housing improvements generate.”
Photos available: http://www.flickr.com/photos/shamassimages
About:
The Springfield Housing Authority is the third-largest housing authority in
Massachusetts. Established in 1946, the SHA is the largest property owner in the
region, with more than 2,300 housing units spread over 27 separate sites. It
also provides over 200 Massachusetts Rental Vouchers and more than 2,400 Housing
Choice Vouchers. The organization`s $33.5 million budget is estimated to have a
local economic impact of approximately twice that amount. The SHA provides jobs,
hires contractors, buys supplies, and pumps approximately $17 million into the
local economy through its rental assistance programs.
Springfield Housing Authority
Isabel Serrazina, 413-785-4513
Executive Department Manager
iserrazina@shamass.org
Copyright Business Wire 2010