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MACDC Support Letter for Valley CDC Lumber Yard Project August 2014.pdf August 22, 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 am writing to strongly support Valley CDC’s request for $500,000 to purchase and redevelop the former Northampton Lumber Yard property located at 256 Pleasant Street. Valley CDC will construct approximately 50 new affordable rental apartments and 3,500 square feet of commercial space on the first floor. These new homes will be located close to transportation, retail stores, grocery stores, the bike path, and the new Amtrak train platform. I write on behalf of the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations (MACDC) and on my own behalf, as a resident of Northampton and as a volunteer for Valley CDC. MACDC is an association of mission-driven community development organizations dedicated to working together and with others to provide places of opportunity where people of diverse incomes and backgrounds access housing that is affordable, benefit from economic opportunities and fully participate in the civic life of their community. With 88 current Members, we achieve this by building and sustaining a high performing and adaptive community development sector that is supported by private and public investment and sound public policies. This project will meet a pressing need for this type of housing downtown and provide the City of Northampton with a sustainable, mixed-use building that enhances the Pleasant Street corridor. The proposal is consistent with the housing and community development priorities of the City of Northampton and meets Community Preservation Act criteria for affordable housing. Considering Valley CDC’s experience and expertise in developing affordable housing, I believe they are well prepared to take on this new project which will result in decent safe affordable housing for our Commonwealth’s working families. This past year has seen Valley CDC start construction on a project which will contribute 38 affordable rental units to Easthampton. Valley CDC has an established track record of service to Northampton’s residents. 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 50 family rental units. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at the number below. Sincerely, Don Bianchi Senior Policy Advocate Mass. Assoc. of Community Development Corporations P: (617) 379-5926 | E: donb@macdc.org