Bill Dwight_Lumber Yard_CPA Letter of SupportFinal.pdf
August 29, 2014
Mr. Downey Meyer, Chair
Community Preservation Committee
City of Northampton
210 Main Street - Room 11
City Hall
Northampton, MA 01060
Re: Redevelopment of the former Northampton Lumber Yard
Dear Mr. Meyer:
I offer this letter as a testament of my strong support for Valley CDC’s proposed redevelopment
of the former Northampton Lumber Yard. With this project Northampton’s affordable housing
inventory will increase by fifty new units, all within access to downtown services. Plus, the
addition of thirty-five hundred square feet of expanded retail space will improve commercial
activity in the Pleasant Street gateway.
I hope you and the Community Preservation Committee will agree that the project will meet a
pressing need for this type of housing in downtown Northampton and that the CDC’s proposal
epitomizes the housing and community development priorities of the City of Northampton and
meets Community Preservation Act criteria for affordable housing.
Considering Valley CDC’s local commitment and accountability and their experience and
expertise in developing affordable housing, I believe they are very well suited to take on this new
project, which promises decent, safe affordable housing for our community’s working families.
I thank you in advance for your consideration of this request and again urge you to look
favorably on Valley CDC’s proposal to redevelop the former Northampton Lumber Yard
property into a mixed-use development with fifty family rental units.
Sincerely,
William Dwight
Northampton City Councilor at Large
39 Myrtle St.
Northampton, MA 01060