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Florence Fields CPA Application - Round 1 2011II: Applicant /Developer Information Contact Person and or /primary applicant: Ann -Marie Moggio, Recreation Director Property Owner (if applicable): City of Northampton Organization (if applicable): City of Northampton Recreation Department Mailing Address: 90 Locust St., Northampton, MA 01060 Daytime phone 587 -1040 Fax 587 -1045 E -mail address Website: amoggio(a northamptonma.gov, www.northamptonma.gov/recreation COMMUNITY PRESERVATION PROJECT APPLICATION COVER SHEET I: Project Information Project Summary: Begin the process to develop playing fields on the former Allard Property on Meadow Street in Florence. The focus is to begin with multi purpose fields (soccer /lacrosse), baseball and a parking area. This project is supported by the Mayor, Recreation Commission, Office of Planning and Development, and many of the various privately organized youth leagues in the City. Estimated start date: June 2011 Estimated completion date: May 2013 CPA Program Area (check all that apply): Open Space Community Housing Historic Preservation X Recreation Project Title: Florence Fields Recreation Park (Allard Property) Development III: Budget Summary CPA funding request: $127,576 CPA request as percentage of total budget: 17% Total budget for project: $757,575 Applicant's Signature: _...4,,,.-7.4. Date Submitted: February 3, 2011 Project Narrative Florence Fields Recreation Park Project Location: The project will create and improve the Florence Fields Recreation Park on Meadow Street in Florence. Previous CPA funding helped fund the purchase of the land, the recreation area design, and will begin the construction this coming summer. The current funds requested will enable us to continue with construction and fully match the maximum PARC grant award allowed. The Bean Allard Task Force approved a Master Plan, created by Berkshire Design Group, Inc., during an intensive community participatory process with extensive community outreach and multiple public forums. The Northampton Recreation Commission is now in the midst of the full design process, which will also include community participation and public forums. The finished project will include five multi purpose playing fields and two baseball fields, a play structure, pavilion, along with parking area, a concession /bathroom building, and a mixed use recreation trail. The Recreation Commission's next step, starting this coming summer, will be to begin construction of the improvements. Only the first phase of construction, rough grading and the first field, has funding currently, thanks to PARC and CPA. Full improvements will be phased in over time, depending on the availability of state and local funding. The proposed project, however, is based on creating a recreation area that serves the immediate and most desperate needs. The exact aspects of the first construction phase will be determined during the final design process and cost estimating process as we work with the community and identify what is possible with the funds available. Project Addresses Community Preservation Criteria: It will enhance the quality of life for Northampton residents. This project will support multiple recreation activities. Serves a significant number of residents. Expand the range of recreational opportunities available to Northampton residents. Enhance the appreciation of the natural world and its conservation. Contributes to the positive health status of Northampton citizens. Benefit conservation and recreation initiatives. Serves residents of all ages. Project Serves Community Need This project will help to further the mission to provide active recreation opportunities. It will help to meet the rising demand for recreational facilities. Long Term Preservation The property will be owned by the City of Northampton through its Recreation Commission, which provided for Article 97 protection, and will be subject to a conservation restriction held by a nonprofit conservation organization. Project has Community Support Page 1 of 3 This project has broad community support including a multitude of Northampton sport leagues, the Bean Allard Task Force, the Recreation Commission, Conservation Commission, Agricultural Commission, Recreation Department, Office of Planning and Development, as well as the Mayor, all who have identified the need for more land for recreation fields. Through a significant number of meetings and public hearings involving the Bean Allard Task Force and the Community, support for the recreation development was clearly demonstrated. Success Factors The improvement of the property for recreational usage. The construction and usage of the fields by the Community. Maintenance A combination of city maintenance forces and sports league users will maintain the property. Project Budget Full Phase 2 Previous CPA monies Phase 1: $990,000 of CPA monies was allocated to the Bean Farm and Allard Farm Open Space Preservation project, primarily for agriculture, community garden, conservation, and recreation acquisition, and related soft costs and design. Only a small percentage of those funds are available for recreation construction, and those funds will be completely spent early this summer for an early start. Phase 2: $130,000 of CPA money was allocated this winter. It allows for a partial match to allow us to apply for a PARC and /or Land and Water Conservation Fund on this upcoming round. These funds will leverage $130,000 to $260,000 of grant funds (Depending on which of two grants are received: the Land and Water Conservation Fund requires a 50% local match, while the LAND grant requires only 34 This allows the first significant phase of recreation field creation. Full Phase 2 request: We are requesting additional funds to allow us to use the existing Phase 2 funds already allocated and the new funds to apply for the maximum PARC and /or Land and Water Conservation Fund available. It is less expensive, in terms of construction costs, construction impacts, and staff time, to do the largest project possible under state grant rules rather than divide it into multiple rounds. Project Budget Current Application: Development of Playing Fields Florence Recreation Park PARC Grant FY2012 (application due this year) $500,000 CPA Monies Awarded Fall 2010 $130,000 Current CPA Request $127,575 TOTAL SOURCES $757,575 Page 2 of 3 Note: We are requesting funds now to allow planning to proceed and to improve the likelihood of state funding by showing our local match is in -hand. CPA funds will ONLY be spent as match for state and federal grants and will not be spent if no grants are received. Project Timeline April 2011 to May 2013 Design: Winter and Spring 2011 Permitting: Winter and Spring 2011 Construction: 2011 -2012. Full funding is required, however, to allow a construction contract to be signed. Feasibility The project is allowed by right under Northampton Zoning. Permits required: Planning Board Site Plan Approval While the board has enormous discretion on the details they do not have the right to deny the project. Conservation Commission Wetlands Approval The regulations are very transparent and approval, again subject to conditions, is non discretionary when the regulations are complied with. The site is floodplain but not wetlands. Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (required for projects receiving state or federal funds when certain thresholds on land use, traffic impacts, wetlands disturbance and others are met or exceeded) The project is currently under MEPA thresholds. This will be reassessed when the full design is complete but we anticipate that this will not change. Maps The Florence Fields Recreational Facility Master Plan is enclosed. Page 3 of 3 Ev ergr Florence Fields Recreational Facility Revised Master Plan Storage BOON Par long Area r 1 68 Span: sA_ '�Sk Screen Evergreen The Berkshire Design Group. Inc. Northampton, MA June 28, 2010 4 .4 e7 -4 4 60' Baseball Field\ Playground C'1'14)- Multi- Purpose Necks (5) _l 225)325' 1 I I Playground Meadow St. Picnic Pavilion Meadow St. bike Lane, Picnic Area Sidewalk Wood GuardRtM I Cedar Ferxe wf Shade Trees 1 I FT r I 1 Parking Area 156 Spades 78 Paved 78 Unpaved Legend Optimal Field SolarOrientation Property line Proposed PL 1 Proposed PL 2 5 Ft. Contour Trail Dirt Road Bike Trail River Stream