20.007 CPC Cover Letter
City of Northampton
Community Preservation Committee
210 Main Street, City Hall
Northampton, MA 01060
January 8, 2020
Gina-Louise Sciarra
City Council President
210 Main Street, Room 16
Northampton, MA 01060
Re: Community Preservation Committee Recommendations for Funding
President Sciarra and City Councilors,
In September 2019 the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) began reviewing project
proposals submitted for Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding consideration. After
extensive review including applicant presentations, site visits, public comment sessions and
deliberation, the CPC unanimously voted to recommend five funding requests totaling $928,834.
Two projects were not selected for funding at this time. An additional FY20 funding round is
also beginning now.
The CPC encourages Councilors and the public to visit
http://archive.northamptonma.gov/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id=660093&dbid=0&repo=CityOfNort
hampton
to view the full applications submitted for each project funded this round. Meeting minutes, the
City’s Community Preservation Plan, information about the CPA, financial documents and other
project materials can be accessed on the CPC’s webpage:
www.northamptonma.gov/1048/Community-Preservation-Committee
Please do not hesitate to contact myself, or Preservation Planner Sarah LaValley with any
questions about the projects, the Committee’s recommendations, or if additional information is
needed.
Projects Recommended for Funding:
Hampshire Heights Playground, Northampton Housing Authority, $200,000
CPA funds will be used to support the construction of an accessible playground at Hampshire
Heights, the Housing Authority’s largest family complex, which does not have a dedicated play
space. The playground will provide recreational opportunities for the area’s children, which make
up 65% of Hampshire Heights’ residents.
North Commons, The Community Builders (TCB), $250,000
CPA funds will contribute to creation of 53 units of mixed income rental housing, including 12
units restricted to extremely low income households and dedicated housing for the Department
of Mental Health and formerly homeless individuals at Village Hill.
Glendale Road Small Home, Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity, $30,000
CPA funds will help Habitat for Humanity build the last of four small homes for affordable
homeownership. Part of a limited development project that also resulted in 50 acres being
permanently protected, the homes will provide options for durable, energy efficient living on a
common driveway with small footprints.
Assessment and Preservation Project, Historic Northampton, $198,834
CPA Funds will allow Historic Northampton to restore and re-open the Shepherd barn and
Parsons House to the public, complete critical repairs to the Shepherd House porch, and
purchase a rack for safe storage and display of artifacts.
Nashawannuck Riparian Restoration Acquisition, Conservation Commission, $250,000
CPA funds will be used as a match for state grant funds to acquire and permanently protect 105
acres at the former Pine Grove Golf course; a project already approved by City Council. Once
acquired, the property will be able to restored, and will provide a wide variety of passive
recreation opportunities.
Thank you,
Brian Adams
Chair, City of Northampton Community Preservation Committee