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Grow Food Northampton CPA Application.pdfCommunity Preservation Project Application Cover Sheet I: Project Information Project Title: Project Summary: Please provide a brief description of the project. Estimated start date: Estimated completion date: CPA Program Area (check those that apply):  Open Space  Historic Preservation  Community Housing  Recreation II: Applicant/Developer Information Contact Person and or/primary applicant: Property Owner and Address, if applicable: Organization (if applicable): Mailing Address: Daytime phone #: Fax #: E-mail address & Website: III: Budget Summary Total project budget: $ CPA request: $ % of budget: Applicant’s Signature:__________________________________ Date Submitted:___________ Pavilion for the Grow Food Northampton Community Farm Project Narrative Grow Food Northampton (GFN) is a local non-profit organization with the mission to create a just local food and farming system that nourishes our community and protects and enriches the earth. We achieve this work through three core components of programming: 1) land access and stewardship; 2) food access; and 3) community education by: ● Stewarding and offering productive and sustainably-managed farmland on the Grow Food Northampton Community Farm to over 400 community gardeners and farmers who grow food for our community; ● Providing access to nutritious local food for all members of our community no matter their income level; ● Offering comprehensive gardening, farming, climate resilience, and other food system-related education for learners of all ages so all members of our community can play an active role in our local food system; and ● Dismantling oppressive systems and structures in our local food and agricultural systems and shifting power to community members most affected by food insecurity. The Grow Food Northampton Community Farm is the anchor for all of this programming. The pavilion project, which includes a walking path with opportunities for food foraging and free “pick-your-own” orchard will allow us to provide expanded educational offerings for learners of all ages and further increase our interaction with the public. We are seeking support for the construction of the pavilion that will serve as the hub and home base for this work, as well as the associated walking path with free “pick-your-own” opportunities. Project location, including address and parcel number The project location is on the “South Parcel” of our Community Farm at 140 Meadow Street, Florence, home to the Grow Food Northampton’s 320-plot Organic Community Garden. The parcel ID is: 22B-011-001. The City of Northampton owns a 198-year lease on this parcel, a mechanism created in 2011 to provide CPA dollars for the creation of a permanent community garden. CPA dollars were also provided in 2022 to clear overgrown land to ensure its return to farming, and expand edible plantings and community garden plots. That work has been successful and will be completed in the coming months. What Community Preservation criteria – both general and program-area specific – does this project meet? Our overarching project, the expansion of public interaction at the Community Farm via walking paths, community foraging and “pick-your-own,” and public education address nearly all of the General Community Preservation criteria and many of the Open Space and Recreation criteria as well. The following are criteria we believe the project will address; also included are notes on specific criteria, highlighted in bold: 1 General project evaluation criteria: 1. Serves more than one CPA program area 2. Contributes to the preservation of Northampton’s unique character, boosts the vitality of the community, and enhances the quality of life for its residents 3. Addresses recommendations contained in the Sustainable Northampton comprehensive plan and/or the Northampton Open Space, Recreation, and Mixed Use Trail Plan 2011-2018 or is consistent with other city-wide planning efforts that have received broad-based scrutiny and input and can demonstrate wide community support 5. Serves under-served populations:All of our programs are guided by Grow Food Northampton’s Equitable Access Policy that prioritizes underserved community members, including beginning and BIPOC farmers, low-income residents, and others from communities marginalized and harmed by the national food system. The Equitable Access Policy offers them no- and low-cost fees to participate in GFN’s programming and lease land on the Community Farm. 6. Places high value on sustainable, ecologically responsible, energy conserving structures, locations, and materials; demonstrates that the project minimizes the ecological footprint 7. Receives endorsement by community groups, municipal boards and/or departments, and City residents 8. Leverages additional public and/or private funds, or demonstrates that other funding sources are not readily available or sufficient:this project leverages a previously-secured Federal earmark through Congressman McGovern’s office, which will provide funds for staffing to bolster the implementation of the project and run programming. 9. Demonstrates a high benefit/cost value 10. Can be implemented expeditiously and within budget 11. Advances a public purpose Recreation project evaluation criteria: 1. Support multiple active and passive recreation uses; 2. Serve a significant number of residents:the Community Farm hosts six farm lessees who grow food for our community; over 400 community gardeners in the organic Community Garden who grow food for themselves, their families, and their neighbors; all of the Northampton Public School elementary classes (approximately 1,100 students) who visit annually for field trips, and many hundred additional community members who participate in educational workshops, volunteer and internships opportunities, and other activities each year. 3. Expand the range of recreational opportunities available to Northampton residents of all ages 4. Enhance the appreciation of the natural world and its conservation:the walking path specifically will create new opportunities for the public to appreciate the Mill River and the stewardship of the riparian buffer. 5. Contribute to the positive health status of its citizens 6. Benefit conservation and recreation initiatives 7. Maximize the utility of land already owned by Northampton (e.g. school property):the property is not owned by the City but, as mentioned, the City holds a 198-year lease, 2 which demonstrates an investment by the City in the public use of the land for the long-term. 8. Promote the creative use of former railway, waterways and other corridors, including connecting corridors, to create safe and healthful non-motorized transportation and exercise opportunities:The walking path borders the Mill River, and will be a segment of the future Mill River Greenway. 9. Expand recreational opportunities for those segments of the population that are underserved given the current location of existing recreational lands and unique needs of different segments of the community:The property is walking distance from downtown Florence, Meadowbrook Apartments, Florence Heights, Tobin Manor, Forsander Apartments and other low-income housing, and is on a PVTA bus line. Open Space project evaluation criteria: 3. Provide opportunities for passive recreation and environmental education:The pavilion will allow an expansion of environmental education to occur for learners of all ages, including workshops for teenagers and adults, and afterschool and summer youth education programming. The walking path and “pick-your-own” opportunities will allow for self-guided recreation for residents of all ages. 4. Provide connections with existing non-motorized multi-use trails or potential trail linkages 9. Provide valuable open space opportunities in urban neighborhoods and near environmental justice populations 12. Advance goals and objectives of the 2018-2025 Open Space, Recreation, and Multi-Use Trail Plan, 2021 Sustainable Northampton Comprehensive Plan, and Climate Resilience and Regeneration Plan. What community need(s) does this project serve? If the project serves multiple needs and populations, please describe them. If the project serves a population that is currently underserved, please describe. Our project is designed to be multi-use and to serve the needs of a wide swath of Northampton residents. The lack of shade and shelter on our land limits the programming we can do in any kind of inclement weather, including sun and heat. The pavilion will enable various community needs, including indoor/outdoor gathering space for meetings, workshops, and events; youth education via NPS field trips, and afterschool and summer programming; and farmer crop processing and distribution. All of our programs are either designed specifically for underserved populations or have formal means for providing accessibility to those populations. Our Equitable Access Policy prioritizes and offers no-cost fees to underserved community members, including beginning and BIPOC farmers, low-income residents, and others marginalized and harmed by the food system. The close proximity to the village center and subsidized housing will support this goal. What specific guarantees will assure the long-term preservation of the project? Grow Food Northampton is committed to stewarding the land and buildings in our care for the long-term. The Grow Food Northampton community, e.g. staff, board, advisors, partner 3 organizations, farmers, and community gardeners have shown their capacity to maintain and improve existing buildings on the farm, and to steward responsibly and successfully publicly accessible land. What community support does the project have? Explain the nature and level of the support. Grow Food Northampton serves a broad cross-section of the community and this project is supported by many community members and organizations. The Northampton Public Schools, as described in their letter of support attached to this application, endorse this project as bringing tangible benefit to the school community. Neighbors to the Community Farm, community gardeners, and farmers on the land will also benefit from and endorse this project. How will the success of this project be measured? The success of the project will be measured, most tangibly, by the number of people that interact with and benefit from the walking paths, ‘pick-your-own’ opportunities and pavilion. This includes the expansion of youth-education that occurs on the farm, e.g. after school, school vacation, and summer programming that previously was not possible, and the number of new visitors that spend time on the land in various ways. Another measure of success will be the number of community organizations and businesses that request the use of our infrastructure for their events and programs. Is ongoing maintenance and upkeep required? If yes, please explain how this will be accomplished. Yes, the pavilion will require periodic maintenance e.g. reroofing after ~50 years, consistent with an outdoor structure of this kind. Our financial practices of maintaining a Capital Reserve and budgeting for depreciation will fund this work, as needed. Perennial plantings and walking path maintenance will be annual and falls within the scope of our current staff responsibilities. 4 Project Budget: Project Sources Description Status Amount HUD Community Projects Funding Secured $76,200 CPA Funding Pending 202,000 Project Sources Total $278,200 Project Uses Description CPA request Total project budget Architectural: schematic design $7,000 Architectural: construction documents and administration 12,000 Structural Engineering 5,000 Civil Engineering 4,200 Implementation staff and project administration 15,000 50,000 Pavilion General Contracting and Construction 180,000 193,000 "Pick-your-own" orchard fruit trees 7,000 7,000 Project Uses Total $202,000 $278,200 Budget notes: We are currently soliciting bids for the project from three local construction companies. We expect to choose a builder and have a final project quote in mid-October. Multi-Year Funding:If the project is expected to continue over more than one year, or if bonding the project is anticipated, please provide annual funding requirements. This will be a one-time project, excluding on-going maintenance. Project Timeline and Feasibility: ● Environmental assessment: complete ● Pavilion concept development and schematic design: complete ● Civil engineering and permitting notice of intent: complete, awaiting response from City of Northampton ● Structural Engineering and Construction documents: complete ● Project bidding and contractor selection: in progress, completion goal in mid-October ● Building permits: October/November, 2024 ● Construction: Spring, 2025 ● “Pick-your-own” orchard planting: Spring, 2025 5 LC-000 LANDSCAPECOVER PAGE AUG 28, 2024 24009 VC GROW FOOD NORTHAMPTON PAVILION140 MEADOW STNORTHAMPTON, MA01062Project # Date Drawn by Checked by REVDATEDESCRIPTIONMSPROGRESS SET - NOT FOR CONSTRUCTIONLandscape Architecture Land Surveying Planning Civil Engineering Sheet Index 4 Allen Place Northampton Massachusetts 01060 www.berkshiredesign.com Grow Food Northampton, Inc.221 Pine St., Suite 349 Florence, MA 01062 Berkshire GroupDesign LC-000 COVER LC-100 EXISTING CONDITIONS LC-101 DEMO & EROSION CONTROL PLAN LC-111 SITE PLAN LC-501 SITE DETAILS 1 RESOURCE AREA PLAN 2 ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS Notice of Intent Permit Application Prepared By: AUG 27, 2024 * NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION * Parcel ID#22B-011-001 Legend Locus Map Prepared For: Date: Meadow Street SCALE 1"=80'-0" (if printed full size @ 24" x 36") 0 160'80'40'240' NOT DRAWN TO SCALE Prepared By: Checked By: GRF JDS 17.4 ACRES PROPERTY BOUNDARY LINE S p r i n g S t r e e t 140 Meadow Street Florence, MA 01062 Parcel ID# 22B-011 PROJECT AREA 100' FROM PROPERTY LINE Mill RiverMill RiverJacqueline Gray Leighton123 Meadow StParcel ID# 22B-066-001 City of NorthamptonSpring StParcel ID# 16A-033-001 Judith & William Ryan61 Meadow StParcel ID# 22B-063-001 James Burke70 Meadow StParcel ID# 22B-017-001 Marianne & Richard Beach53 Corticelli StParcel ID# 22B-018-001 Debbi Gottlieb34 Corticelli StParcel ID# 22B-039-001 Northampton Elks Lodge17 Spring StParcel ID# 22B-111-001 Northampton Elks Lodge17 Spring StParcel ID# 22B-110-001 Mary & Elie Lizee35 Spring StParcel ID# 22B-059-001 Jain Lattes & Douglas Thayer45 Spring StParcel ID#22B-058-001 Joan Archambault56 Spring StParcel ID# 22B-055-001 James Marchetti67 Spring StParcel ID# 22B-070-001 Thomas Caitlin Trustee72 Spring StParcel ID# 22B-010-001 The Building Trust LLC83 Spring StParcel ID# 22B-069-001Northampton Elks Lodge17 Spring StParcel ID# 22B-111-001 Robert Properties LLCSpring StParcel ID# 22B-068-001 Peggy-Ellen & Thomas Pease130 Spring StParcel ID# 22B-008-001 Florence FieldsCity of Northampton157 Spring St Parcel FParcel ID# 22B-113-001 100' FROM PROPERTY LINE PROPERTY BOUNDARY LINE 10 0 ' F R O M P R O P E R T Y L I N E ABUTTERS WITHIN 100' Suzanne & Doris Grala46 Spring StParcel ID# 22B-056-001 PROPERTY BOUNDARY LINE100' FROM PROPERTY LINE LC-111 SITE PLAN AUG 28, 2024 24009 VC GROW FOOD NORTHAMPTON PAVILION140 MEADOW STNORTHAMPTON, MA01062Project # Date Drawn by Checked by REVDATEDESCRIPTIONMSPROGRESS SET - NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION241242 SHED SHED TREE INFO SIGN GRAVEL GRAVEL GRAVEL SPIGOT SPIGOT SPIGOT SPIGOT BUILDING SETBACK LINE PROPERTY BOUNDARY LINE 241 WOOD DECK TREE TREE TREE "NO PARKING" SIGN "ONE WAY" SIGN TREE R8 ' NEW WOOD DECK STONE PATIO SURFACING WOOD PERGOLASEE ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS GRAVEL PATH, TYP. WIDEN GRAVEL DRIVE TO 22' LOAM & SEED 6'4'28'28 ' + 241.30 + 241.40 + + 241.20 + TW 242.00BW 241.2022'4' 20'4'168' 3'34 ' 18.5 '34.0°'241.30 8'16.6'RELETTERED & REPAINTED SIGN NEW ENTRY SIGNPLACED PARALLEL TO MEADOW STREETSEE ARCHITECTURAL PLANS WOOD TRELLIS, TYP.SEE ARCHITECTURAL PLANS WOOD POSTS, TYP.SEE ARCHITECTURAL PLANS Checked By: Drawn By: Revisions Scale: Date:Sheet Number This drawing is not intended nor shall it be used for construction purposes unless the signed professional seal of a registered landscape architect, civil engineer or land surveyor employed by The Berkshire Design Group, Inc. is affixed above. Do not scale drawing for quantity take-offs or construction. Use written dimensions only. If dimensions are incomplete, contact The Berkshire Design Group Inc. for clarification. © Copyright The Berkshire Design Group, Inc. This drawing and all of its contents are the express property of The Berkshire Design Group, Inc., and shall not be copied or used in any way without the written consent of The Berkshire Design Group, Inc.F:\NORTHAMPTON - 140 MEADOW STREET\01 - DESIGN PROCESS\DRAWINGS\LC-111 LAYOUT PLAN.DWG PLOT DATE: 8/27/2024Permit Set *NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION* Web: http://www.berkshiredesign.com Email: bdg@berkshiredesign.com (413) 582-7000 4 Allen Place, Northampton, Massachusetts 01060 FAX (413) 582-7005 Landscape Architecture Civil Engineering Planning Berkshire GroupDesign Land Surveying Grow Food Northampton 140 Meadow Street Northampton, MA LC-111 AUG 27, 2024 1"=10' GRF JDS SITE PLAN SCALE 1"=10'-0" (if printed full size @ 24" x 36") 0 20'10'5'20' LAYOUT NOTES 1. ALL LINES OR POINTS ARE PERPENDICULAR OR PARALLEL TO LINES FROMWHICH THEY ARE MEASURED UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED; WRITTENDIMENSIONS SHALL PREVAIL. 2. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL VERIFY ALL LAYOUT, DIMENSIONS, GRADES,AND INVERTS PRIOR TO CONSTRUCTION; REPORT ANY DISCREPANCIESTO BERKSHIRE DESIGN GROUP. ALL DISCREPANCIES SHALL BE RESOLVEDIN WRITING PRIOR TO BEGINNING WORK. 3. ALL MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION METHODS SHALL CONFORM TOTHE CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS OF THE CITY OFNORTHAMPTON AND THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OFTRANSPORTATION. 4. ALL AREAS DISTURBED FROM CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY TO RECEIVE 6"(MIN.) TOPSOIL AND TO BE RAKED, SMOOTHED, FERTILIZED AND SEEDEDWITH PERENNIAL TURFGRASSES UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. 5. ALL NEW WALKS AND SURFACES TO MEET EXISTING WALKS ANDSURFACES WITH SMOOTH, CONTINUOUS LINE AND GRADE. 6. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL REMOVE AND DISPOSE OF ALL EXCESS ORSPILLED CONCRETE, ASPHALT, AGGREGATE AND OTHER MATERIALSFROM THE SITE. GRADING NOTES 1. ALL SIDEWALKS/WALKWAYS SHALL CONFORM TO THE MASSACHUSETTSARCHITECTURAL ACCESS BOARD'S (MAAB) REQUIREMENTS. 2. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL VERIFY ALL LAYOUT, DIMENSIONS, GRADES,AND INVERTS PRIOR TO CONSTRUCTION; REPORT ANY DISCREPANCIESTO BERKSHIRE DESIGN GROUP. ALL DISCREPANCIES SHALL BE RESOLVEDIN WRITING PRIOR TO BEGINNING WORK. Meadow Street productive landscapes resilient communities Prepared for GFN • June 2022 • Regenerative Design Group SOUTH PARCEL PERENNIAL EDGE CONCEPT | Grow Food Northampton HUB i LARGE ANNUAL PLOTS ± 0.25 - 0.30ac BRAMBLES POSTAGE STAMP PLOTS ± 0.2 each LARGE ANNUAL PLOT ± 0.83 ac WOODY CUTS: ORNAMENTALS AND OTHER USES ± 1.34 ac CURRENT COMMUNITY GARDEN PLOTS COMPOST Footbridge Footbridge Mushrooms Farm Lane Pick- your-own Orchard ± 0.3 New Farm Entrance U-PICK BERRIES± 0.70 ac Current Hedgerow Expand Road South for Parking Current Hedgerow Expand Hedgerow south and east HUB Pavilion LARGE ANNUAL PLOT ± 0.96ac Farm LaneMeadow Street S p r i n g S t r e e t Herbs in Floodway Curb Appeal Pollinator Garden Herbs in Floodway Herbs or Pollinator GardenHerbs or Pollinator GardenFarm Lane Along Fence PERENNIAL RESEARCH AND DEMO PLOTS ± 0.71 ac SPRING ST. HEDGEROW WETLAND PLANTING Access to Mill River Access to Mill River Access from Elks Lodge Estimated floodway line with direction arrows of water flow Stabilized surface for crossing the floodway Expanded hedgerows. GFN managed GFN Managed areas Un-paved tractor road/farm lane Paved farm lane Walking Lane Mill RivEDGerINNER RIPFARIAN ZONE OREST EMill River Walking Path