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Village Hill 1984 State Hospital Redevelopment Strategy Center for Economic DevelopmentNORTHAMPTON STATE HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT STRATEGY A Project for: The City of Northampton David B. Musante, Mayor Gene Bunnell, Director, Office of Planning & Development By i The Center for Economic Development School of Management University of Massachusetts. March, 1954 i This project was partially funded by the Massachusetts Department of. Commerce and Development through a contract with the City of Northampton. i ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This report is the culmination of nine months of study by a research team from the Center for Economic Development. Samuel Seskin was Principal "Investigator. Nancy Goff, Project Director, shared the work of conducting the research and writing the final. report with Jeanne Armstrong. John Mullin commented insightfully and offered helpful information. The manuscript was prepared by Cheryl Wood Creeden. Many others participated in the study or offered useful advice. Tours of three industrial centers in Chicopee, North Adams and Bennington provided valuable information about successful operation of such facilities. We wish to thank the managers of these centers for their hospitality and information sharing. The many business owners who participated in the in-depth interviews provided a wealth of information about Hampshire County and its economy. George Haller of Northampton State Hospital shared his knowledge of the grounds and buildings on the site. We must also acknowledge the contributions of the City of Northampton. Gene Bunnell, Director of the Office of Planning and Development, was involved in every aspect of the work. His informal advice and useful criticisms were important to the study's design and recommendations. Finally, we thank Lozano-White Associates for their generous sharing of information. Since our work is an extension of their recent study, the cooperation of Associate Roberta Leary eliminated much duplication of effort. " id U TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A. Findings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 B. Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 II. Purpose of the Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 III. Physical Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 A. Reuse Potential of Buildings . . . . . . . . 12 B. Building Types by Reuse Potential . . . . 16 C. Reuse Potential of Undeveloped Land . . . . . 27 IV. Local Market Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 A. Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 B. Industrial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 C. University of Massachusetts . . . . . . . . . 36 V. Recommended Redevelopment Strategy . . . . . . . . . . 38 A. Locally Based Development Group . . . . . . . 38 B. Diversity of Tenants . . . . . . . . . . 39 J C. Incremental Process • • 40 VI. Operational Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 A. The Entity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 B. First Actions by the City . . . . . . . . . . 46 C. Conditions for Acceptance . . . . . . . . . 47 D. Operational Principles . . . . . . . . . . . 48 E. Implementation Phases . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 VII. Operational Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 A. Introduction . . . . . . . . 58 B. Budget Findings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 APPENDICES A. Methodology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 B. Economic Development and Industrial Corporations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 C. Funding Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79. D. Computations for Budget . . . . . . . . . . . 83 fu TABLES Name Page I . Reconiiiwii led Resuo of the Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I I 2. Summary Building Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 I 3. Structural Characteristics of Mixed Industrial. . . . . . . 20 Type Buildings 4. Hampshire County Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 5. Implementation Phases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 I. 6. Projected Revenues & Expenses Years 1 - 5 . . . . . . . . 63 i 7. Estimated Capital Needs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 8. Debt Service Projections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 MAPS 1. The Site 10 2. Office 1 Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 3. Office 2 Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 4. Mixed Industrial Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 5. Main Complex 1 Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 6. Main Complex 2 Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 7. Main Complex 3 Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 T EXECUTIVE, SUMMARY A. Findings a. The entire state hospital site comprises approximately 500 acres near the center of downtown Northampton. Previous studies have recommended that significant portions of the site be preserved for open space, agriculture or banked for future public development needs. This report focuses on two areas - Parcels V and VII - and their -reuse potential for mixed industrial and office development. (See Section III and Map 1.) b. At present several buildings on Parcel V, the Main Complex, are being used by the Department of Mental Health for patient care and administration. The agency may continue to need these buildings for many years. Other buildings are vacant and in conditions ranging from very good to badly deteriorating. (See Sections III.A & B and V.C.) c. Nearly 173,000 square feet of building space requires only a moderate amount of renovation. These buildings could be occupied almost immediately. Included here are nearly 87,000 square feet of mixed industrial space for small manufacturing firms, and 19,000 square feet of office space for moderate to large firms. (See Section III.A.1.) d. Buildings with higher renovation cost but which could be converted to offices with relative ease are the larger scale multi-story buildings with a total. of 170,000 square feet. However, nearly half of this space is currently being used by DMH for patient care and is likely to remain so for several years. (See Section III.A.2.) e. Parts of the main building could be renovated at higher cost to office use. Containing more than 147,000 square feet, these buildings could be linked to provide expansion space for occupants of adjoining buildings or could be developed separately. (See Section III.A.3.) -1- f I \ f. Buildings least amenable to reuse because of small spaces and high renovation costs are 172,000 square feet of vacant wards. An estimated $10 million would be required to renovate these buildings. (See Section III.A.4.) g. Undeveloped land which could support new construction falls into two basic types - the completely open space of Parcel VII and the open areas surrounding the buildings of the Main Complex. (See Section III.C.) h. Parcel VII contains approximately 35 acres of land. Once the necessary infrastructure was in place, a complex of new industrial and office buildings could be supported here. The 1972 Master Plan for Northampton recommended this site for future industrial/ commercial development. (See Section III.C.) 2. Local Market Conditions a. Hampshire County's economy is strong and predicted to grow at the most rapid rate of the four western counties. The county is well positioned to take advantage of the 10,000 non-manufacturing jobs forecasted to be created here over the next fifteen years. b. In the next few years, however, current market conditions make it unlikely that the potential office space on the site could be occupied immediately. Expansion in downtown Northampton has brought about a real estate boom that will absorb much of the current demand for office space. Springfield's downtown building boom has resulted in several years supply of vacant office space at recent absorption rates. (See Section IV.A.) c. Northampton's commercial and housing boom has had negative consequences for the city's supply of industrial land and buildings. Raw industrial land is basically unavailable. Industrially zoned /~J U areas are being developed for residential_ and commercial uses. Due. -2- to conversion of older industrial buildin s, the sup 1 of 1 inexpensive industrial space is similarly exhausted. (See Section TV.B.) d. The lack of vacant industrial space in. Hampshire County does not, bode well for the area's future economic growth. In the Center"s recent survey of county businesses, the most often mentioned site-related problem was the lack of expansion, capability on the premises. (See Section IV.B.) e. The state hospital site, with 35 acres of potential industrial land. and over 86,000 square feet of usable shop buildings, is a valuable economic resource. Eight firms interviewed in a random survey expressed interest in the site. Only one firm responded negatively because of the site's former use. (See Section IV.B.) f. The University of Massachusetts' administration is currently reviewing policies toward space utilization on campus. Many non-academic functions may be encouraged to move. The school has begun forging active partnerships with the private sector and policies toward faculty entrepreneurship have changed. (See Section. TV.C.) 3. Financial Projections a. Once 70% of the incubator space is rented, the project will. generate an annual cash surplus that can be used for purposes, such as servicing outstanding loans, or providing the means for expanding the organization's capacity to assist area businesses. (See Section VII.B.) b. Approximately $1.6 million can be raised by the development agency for capital improvements to the site if all surplus revenues from operations are applied as debt service on a loan. This equals $18.92 per square foot for renovations of buildings owned by the -3- agency and used for incubator industries. Estimates of the total ` capital needed for redevelopment of the entire Main. Complex range from $6.3 to $11.0 million. (See Section VII.B.) C. Sale of the industrial park land can generate revenues totalling $500,000 to $750,000. (See Section VII.B.) -4- B. RECOMMENDATTONS 1. Lon _ Term Strategy a. A locally based redevelopment group should be established witli responsibility for the state hospital project. This agency should have wide expertise in the various areas of development and be staffed by an energetic and creative director. The organization' should be a joint public/private effort and be empowered to take responsibility for all the City's industrial developments. (See Section V.A. and VI.A.) b. The local agency should retain ownership of 25% of the available space (mixed industrial and small office buildings). These buildings should be managed as an incubator industry center and rented to small industrial, research, and office firms. (See Section VI.D and VII.A.) O C. The agency should oversee the disposition of the balance of the buildings to the private sector. (See Sections VII.A and VII.E.) d. The project as a whole should provide for a range of business tenants - large and small, innovative and traditional, office and industrial. This diversity will strengthen the,development's likelihood of success and will take into account the variety of building types and vacant land that exist. (See Section V.B. and VT.D.) e. A long range site plan for the project should be developed once information about the viability of marketing the main buildings is known. The site plan should incorporate both Parcels V and VII and include selective demolition and new circulation patterns. (See Section VI.E.) f. The redevelopment process should be incremental, phased in over a ~i(J long time horizon to provide needed flexibility to take advantage of -5- unforeseen opportunities. (See Sections V.C and VI.D.) g. The overriding long term goal of the development should be operational self-sufficiency. The facility must be run as an economic enterprise that charges rents and fees.that cover its expenses. (See Section VI.D.) h. To enable the project to-operate at all, a significant initial public subsidy will be needed for capital improvements. (See Section VI.D.) i. The development agency responsible for securing and managing the grounds and maintaining parking lots and roads on the site should collect a management fee from businesses occupying the premises. (See Section VII.A.) r~\ k. The public's involvement and investment implies that the development of the site should generate an economic benefit to the region. Reuse of the site by firms seeking to sell their products or services outside the region should be a priority. In addition, special consideration for new businesses should be provided. (See Section VIII.D.) 2. Short Term Strategy a. The City can expedite the redevelopment process prior to site transfer by developing local support for the project, establishing a base of technical information, determining the level of potential involvement of other public agencies such as the Land Bank, beginning the site transfer process, insuring continuing provision of heat, and obtaining capital improvement funds. (See Section VI.B.) b. Buildings should be acquired from the state at a nominal cost with sufficient funds for essential improvements to secure the buildings -6- I i against deterioration for five years. Proceeds collected by the local agency from building sales should be pledged to reimburse the state for the building repairs. Any surplus should be split between the local group and the state. (See Section VI.C and VII.A.) c. The City can assist in defraying certain operating expenses, especially early in the development by donating staff time and showing flexibility over property taxes. (See Section VII.A.) 3. Marketing Strategy a. The City should retain a highly qualified broker/marketing agent to ascertain the demand for the Main Complex in the national real estate market. A non-local user, such as a national or multi-national firm, should be sought to establish a regional headquarters for administration, research or training. With knowledge of the consultant°s findings, the development agency can make an informed decision on whether to demolish, bank or renovate Cj individual portions of the building. Portions of the Main Building with the least potential for reuse should be demolished. (See Section VI.A.) b. The redevelopment effort should include outreach to the University of Massachusetts. Suitable space for offices, laboratories, and production and research facilities is needed off campus for "think tank" institutes, public agencies, university faculty establishing their own business ventures, and for joint private sector/university research projects. (See Section IV.C:) C. Outlying, small buildings on the site should be marketed especially to local firms. Space should be rented in a manner that leaves room for firms to expand on premises, without moving out. (See Section IV.B.) U -7- II. PURPOSES OIL THE STUDY The overall purpose of this project has been to recommend to the City of Northampton an economic development strategy for reuse of the Northampton State Hospital site. Such a strategy must be cognizant of continuing use of the site by the Department of Mental_ Health, the economic marketplace in the area, and the city's determination that the reuse,p.lan must strengthen the economic base of the region. The study focuses on the economic context within which a redeveloped hospital site would operate, especially in terms of the manufacturing and business services sectors of the region. The groundwork for this undertaking was laid in a previous study by Lozano, White and Associates of Cambridge. Their report provides useful information, particularly in the areas of site planning, physical resources and potential renovation costs. The Center's work builds directly on this previous study in examining the reuse potential of the two major parcels designated by Lozano and White as most appropriate for development (see Map 1 and Table 1): - Parcel V Main Complex 80 acres 430,000 square feet interior - Parcel VII vacant land 35 acres The Center's study relates the physical characteristics of Parcels V and VII to the needs of the local manufacturing and services sectors. The existing and projected markets for industrial and office space in the western Massachusetts region are examined in relation to the availability and cost of such space at the hospital site. -8- Several criteria were applied in selecting the economic development strategy. Some of these had been previously articulated in the Lozano and Wl:ii_te study, while others were developed from conversations with city officials in the Planning Department. `fhe Centers pl-opo"Od redevelopment strategy is designed to: - Create a stable employment base; - Provide space for small industries; - Generate state and local tax revenues; - Preserve buildings with architectural and historic significance; - Maintain local control over development; - Minimize bureaucratic process and effects of DMH uncertainties; - Facilitate efforts between cooperative public and private sectors of the community. O The recommendations that follow outline an implementation strategy based on current political and economic realities. Recommendations are made regarding: - Who should be responsible for the redevelopment project; - What reuse scenario should be followed; - How the process should be undertaken and financed; - When the elements of the plan should be implemented. MAP 1 - THE SITE 0 r 1 - 1 ~ ur (I;7vj` - 0 h ID. 0 41;4 o- ~0®0 ~ 00 m ao O 0 o' ~o 0 - - H aen a NI\\ -10- TABLE 1: RECOMMENDED REUSE OF THE SITE* Parcel Current Use Recommended Reuse Size 1 The Drumlin open space open space 110 Acres IA & B agricultural agricultural 210 Acres II open space municipal development 6 Acres ITI recreation open space 10 Acres B Community Gardens gardens gardens 4 Acres IV county jail county jail 30 Acres V Main Complex DMH administration industry/offices 84 Acres VI The Hillside open space open space 25 Acres VT:r. open space private development 21 Acres Map 1 and Table I from Lozano, White and Associates, "Northampton State Hospital Reuse Plan", March, 1982. / JU -11- TII. PHYSICAL RESOURCES OF NORTHAMPTON STATE HOSPITAL The entire State Hospital site comprises approximately 500 acres near the center of downtown Northampton. Previous studies have recommended that significant portions of that total acreage be preserved as open space, maintained in agricultural. use, and/or banked for future development needs or construction of publicly owned facilities. The accompanying map and table diagram the parcels into which the State Hospital site is divided and summarize the previously recommended reuses of each parcel (see Map 1 and Table 1). This report focuses on Parcels V and VII and their reuse potential for mixed industrial and office development. A. Reuse Potential of the Buildings on the Main Complex, Parcel V Taken as a group, the buildings on the Main Complex, Parcel V, offer a spectrum of possible mixed industrial and office reuses. The schedule of availability for reoccupancy varies from almost immediate to long range; the costs of renovation range from minimal to $60 per square foot. Modest industrial firms, small research institutes, moderate to large commercial firms could all be offered quarters that would fit their needs and budgets. As Table 2 and the accompanying maps show, the buildings on this parcel can. be categorized according to their reuse potential into six building types: Mixed Industrial, Office 1, Office 2, Main Complex 1, Main Complex 2, and Main Complex 3. Buildings are grouped according to their potential for reuse, physical scale and characteristics, and relative need for rehabilitation. At present, some buildings within each type are being used by the Department of Mental Health, which may continue to need them for the forseeable future. Other buildings are vacant. It should be noted that these square footage figures are the total gross interior space, including basements where they exist. 1. Buildings that could be occupied almost immediately with least cost IJ of rehabilitation include those of Mixed Industrial, Office 1, and Main Complex 1 types. Taken together, these equal more than 86,000 square feet of office space and nearly 87,000 square feet of mixed industrial space. By size and character of firms that could be housed, these types include nearly 87,000 square feet for small industrial firms, 19,000 square feet of office space for small firms or institutes, and 67,000 square feet of office space for moderate to large firms. Once the question of delivery of heat has been resolved with DMH, the major cost of reusing Main Complex l type space will be repair of the roof. The maintenance and renovation requirements of Mixed Industrial and Office 1 types must be determined on a building by building basis. The structures of the Mixed Industrial type are a particularly "mixed bag". Some, such as the Maintenance and Paint Shops, will require virtually no renovation while others, such as the Red Barn and Butler Building, are not currently heated and are best used as storage facilities. The Piggery and Coach Barn will require moderate rehabilitation for reuse as industrial spaces. 2. Buildings that could be occupied quickly with somewhat higher renovation costs are included in the Office 2 type. These larger scale, multi-story buildings total 170,000 square feet of space that is recommended for multiple offices housing one or more firms per building. The two buildings of this type that are currently vacant are the Male Attendants' Home and the North Employees' Home (total 45,000 sq. ft.). The Nurses' Home has already been converted to office use, but is currently occupied by DMH. Almost one-half the space of this building type is contained in the Haskell Building (80,000 sq. ft.) and is currently being used by DMH for patient care. The Mixed Industrial, Office 1, Main Complex 1, and part of Office 2 types can be used to stimulate reuse activity and generate cash flow during the early phase of site development. !JU i 3. Buildings that can be reused after renovation at higher per square foot cost are grouped in the Main Complex 2 type. Containing more than 1.47,000 square feet, these parts of the current Main Complex Building housed a variety of uses. They could be developed separately to provide office and related spaces, or they could be linked to provide expansion space for Main Complex 1. The reuse potential for this building type could be significantly improved if parts of the Main Complex Building are demolished (see D. below) and replaced by structures that supplement the offerings of Main Complex 2. Part of Office 2 type (Haskell, South Employees' Home, Nurses' Home) and Main Complex 2 contain nearly 250,000 square feet of currently occupied space that could be converted to office and related uses and integrated into the longer range development plan for the site, once DMH has vacated them. 4. Buildings that are least amenable to reuse because of-small spaces and high renovation costs are grouped in the Main Complex 3 type. Predominantly former wards, these sections contain 172,000 square feet with closely spaced bearing walls. At Lozano and White's estimated cost of $60/square foot, more than $10 million would be required to renovate these buildings. Estimated demolition is not inexpensive either. At $6 - 10 per square foot, $l to $2 million would be required. Unless, for example, a large corporation can be found to renovate and occupy all or most of the Main Complex Building, the demolition and replacement of the Main Complex 3 type will be part of the long range development of the site. J J -14- TABLE 2: SUMMARY BUILDING TYPES r Recommended Squar e Type Condition Characteristics Reuse Foota ge Office 1 Fair to Small scale, Small offices, 19,334 S.F. Good houses, on office for periphery of site single firm or research insti- tutes Office 2 Fair to Large scale, multi- Multiple offices 170,333 i S.F. Good story masonry buildings surrounding Main Complex Mixed Poor to Shop buildings Industrial and 93,629 S.F. Industrial Excellent serving Main Storage Complex Main Complex Fair to Multi-story Offices 67,256 S.F. Good masonry buildings, large scale central portion of Main Complex Main Complex 2 Fair Farthest sections Mixed offices 147,366 S.F. of Main Complex Multi-story, masonry buildings Main Complex 3 Poor Remainder of None at present 172,063 S.F. Main Complex, small spaces used as patient rooms TOTAL 669,981 S.F. -15- B. Existing Building Types on Parcel V by Reuse Potential n Office 1 Characteristics: Relatively smaller scale and square footage, more intimate interior, located along periphery of Main Complex site and buffered from other land uses, amenable to quick reuse for offices at relatively low cost. Recommended reuse: Offices for single firm per building, possibly for more if firms are quite small and compatible. Listing: Building Recreation Building Superintendent's House 33 Prince Street 39 Prince Street 37 Prince Street TOTAL, Comments interior repairs needed used for offices II I It used as a residence Library Size 3,468 sq. ft. 4,154 5,088 3,312 3,312 19,334 sq. ft. Characteristics: Relatively large scale and square footage, multi-story, amenable to renovation for offices at moderate per square foot cost. Recommended Reuse: Multiple office space for one or more firms per building. Listing: Building Haskell Male Attendants' Home South Employees' Home Nurses' Home North Employees' Home TOTAL Comments used for patient care vacant used as a residence used for offices vacant Size 80,320 sq. ft. 31,040 14,558 29,836 14,579 170,333 sq. ft. r J ( J -16- to "TAIL 2: Existing Buildings with Reuse Potential: Office 1 Type; ~I J~ecreat n Bldg. - IN t 0 Inn ISRlc I rInn 3: Existing Buildings with Reuse Potential: office 2 Type; P Mixed Industrial Characteristics: Utilitarian out-buildings of Main Complex, small. to medium square footage, interiors range from operational to disrepair, amenable to quick reuse as production and/or storage space at low cost. Recommended Reuse: Utilitarian production space with associated storage and office space for small firms. Listing: Heated, amenable to reuse as production/office space. Building Comments Maintenance and Paint in use Shops 1884 Storehouse in use New Garage in use, office/garage Grounds Shop Piggery partially heated 1900 Coach Barn some rehabilitation Subtotal Heated, vehicle or other storage: Firehouse Subtotal Unheated, vehicle or other storage: Butler. Building Red 1874 Barr_ Subtotal TOTAL -19- Size 27,376 sq. ft. 25,747 5,287 6,232 6,293 15,518 86,993 sq. ft. 1,087 sq. ft. 3,280 sq. ft. 2,269 5,549 sq. ft. 93,629 sq. ft. TABLE 3: STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF MIXED INDUSTRIAL TYPE BUILDINGS Exterior Building Walls Roof Windows Weather tight? Maintenance & Brick Composite large Yes - in use Paint Shops 1.884 Storehouse Brick Shingle some large, Yes - in use New Garage Concrete Blocks Grounds Shop Brick Piggery Brick 1.900 Coach Barn Brick Firehouse Brick Butler Building Metal Red 1874 Barn Wood with Brick foundation some bricked up Metal Office half Yes - in use has large Slate Small Yes Slate Numerous Yes small New Yes Yes Shingle Flat No Yes - in use Metal Metal No Yes - in. use Shingle Yes Yes -20- Wai tenance & P i t 'no Sho s rZed / 884 to ehouse--- f New Garage Coach Barn MAP 4: Existing Buildings with Reuse Potential: Mixed Industri4l Type m o ~ n~ r , / Main Complex _1 Characteristics: Central section of Main Complex, institutional scale, muati-story, currently used as administrative offices, apartments, auditorium, classroom, storage; amenable to immediate similar reuse. Renovation cost variable depending on elegance of design. Recommended Reuse: Office space for medium to large firm. Listing Main Building A Main Building B Main Building C Main Building D Main Building E Main Building F Main Complcx_ 2 Characteristics: Located at north and south ends and behind central r section of Main Complex; previously used as apartments, kitchen, dining room, infirmaries; amenable to mixed uses related to offices with moderate rehabilitation. Recommended Reuse: Mired office use and/or link with Main. Complex J. to house an expanding firm. 8,760 sq. ft. 24,000 14,780 17,112 1,428 1,176 67,256 sq. ft. Listing: Building Comment Size Orloiider Building Main Building G Main Building II Main Building I South Infirmary North Infirmary kitchen/dining room apartments apartments vacant vacant 53,762 sq. ft. 7,434 4,272 9,108 38,185 34,605 147,366 sq. ft. -22- Mlc MAP 5: Existing Buildings with Reuse Potential.: Main Complex l Type Main Buil ings A - i a D6 - W5 iviain Buildings G, H, & I r--J z North Infirmary JOrlander Bldg. tic MAP h: Existing Buildings with Reuse Potential: Main Complex 2~Type I Main Complex 3 Characteristics: Remainder of Main Complex, least amenable to reuse because of small spaces and high renovation costs, most likely to require demolition and replacement. Recommended Reuse: None at present Listing: Building Comment Size First Hall South Second Hall South Third Hall South Fourth Hall South Fourth Hall Passageway First Hall North Second Hal]. North Third Hall North Fourth Ball North ()U vacant 11 if if n if n -25- 21,672 sq. ft. 27,131 1.9, 905 17,844 731 26,052 18,01.2 21,740 18,976 172,063 sq. ft. *99 glo MAP 7: Existing Buildings with Least Reuse Potential: ~y_pe Main Complex-IT i I ~ ~I Fi st thr ugh Fourth No th Ha 1-1 s i, I i v~~J \ II Fi st t rough F urth outh Ha is C. Reuse Potential of Undeveloped Land \ Undeveloped land on these two parcels which could support construction of new industrial and/or office facilities falls into two basic types: the completely open space of Parcel VII, and the open areas around and between the building: of the Main Complex on Parcel V. Located south of, and across the street from, the new Hampshire County jail, Parcel VIJ. contains approximately 36 acres of land. The 1972 Master Plan for Northampton recommended this site for future industrial or commercial development. Sewer, water, and electricity to serve the new jail have been laid along Rocky Hill Road which is the northern boundary of the parcel. An abandoned B & M Railroad line borders the parcel to the south. Access to the parcel would be along Rocky Hill Road, or possibly along the old railroad right of way. The Lozano and White study describes an access route from I--91 that bypasses downtown Northampton by way of Clarke Street and the railroad right of way. With its sloping southern exposure, the parcel enjoys a panorama of the L Holyoke Lange and offers definite possibilities for energy-saving solar design and construction. Once the necessary infrastructure is in place, Parcel VII could support a complex of newly constructed buildings, thereby providing one range of the spectrum of facilities that this report recommends. It is strongly recommended that Parcel VII be considered as a crucial part of the mixed industrial/office redevelopment of the State Hospital site, and that any development of that parcel be an integrated part of the overall physical redevelopment and marketing strategy of the project. Consequently, it is recommended that Parcel VII 1re developed in the early years of the redevelopment project only if an immediate tenant is found whose needs cannot be met by existing facilities on Parcel V. If such a case were to arise, construction for this tenant could lay the first sections of the infrastructure needed by Parcel VII, but it would be imperative that this early construction be designed and sited so as to leave open options for further construction to support later phases of the project. I~ -27- For example, it is likely that some of the Mixed Industrial type buildings on Parcel V that house small production firms during early phases will he demolished during the final phase of the project; in order that these firms not be eliminated from the spectrum of firms served, it will be necessary to provide alternative facilities very possibly on Parcel VII. Parcel V contains a number of open areas around and of the Main Complex; thus, buildable land on Parcel dominated by existing construction and circulation. which the Main Complex is sited contains more than currently covered by a building. Roads and parking significant portions of this buildable acreage. among the buildings V is currently The plateau on 70 acres of land not lots occupy During the medium to long range phases of redevelopment selective demolition and new circulation patterns can capitalize on the potential offered for new construction that _links together and/or supplements existing elements of the Main Complex. For example, if it is decided that the 172,063 square feet of Main Complex 3 type buildings should be demolished, this would clearly make room for construction of new facilities that link or supplement the remaining Main Complex 1 and 2 types. For the sake of grouping compatible land uses, it may be that implementation of the long term site plan will include housing small production firms in a mixed industrial cluster on Parcel VII; the utilitarian buildings on Parcel V used by such firms during the early phases of the project could then be demolished and replaced by facilities to house and support the cluster of activities that have been attracted to Parcel V. Viewed and developed together, the open spaces of Parcels V and VII will serve to rill out the broad spectrum of facilities that can be offered by the redevelopment project. In addition, it is strongly recommended that the long range site plan for the redevelopment project balance the opportunities provided by open spaces for constructed facilities with the importance of meeting human needs by increasing the safety, comfort and beauty offered to the people who work on the site and to the larger community of Northampton. Safe and convenient circulation for cars and people, buffering incompatible -28- activities, providing comfort and beauty, complementing the stature of architectural elements, cutting energy costs through judicious planning of shade and solar exposure these and other vital functions are served by careful treatment of open spaces. In the long run, the uses and design of spaces that remain open will play a companion role to the reuse and design of buildings in the overall marketability of the entire site. 11 ~ l -29- IV. LOCAL MARKET CONDITIONS A. Office Space Hampshire County's economy is strong, and growing. The Western Massachusetts Economic Study, recently completed, included a prediction that the county's economy would grow at the most rapid rate of any of the four in the western region (Hampshire, Franklin, Hampden, Berkshire). Much of this growth is predicated on the fact that the county's economy is best positioned to take advantage of the large number of non-manufacturing jobs likely to be created in the region, because its workforce is already oriented toward non-manufacturing (i.e. the servicing and retail sectors). The forecast contains an estimate of approximately 10,000 jobs in services, government, finance (insurance/real estate and wholesale trade) to be created in Hampshire County during the next fifteen years. At an estimated 250 square feet of space per employee, this suggests that a total of 2.5 million square feet of new working space will be required, in the county over the next fifteen years. An average of 150 - 175,000 square feet per year for all types of office space will be absorbed each year. For a summary of the county's projected growth, see Table 3. But in the short run (5 years), current market conditions make it unlikely that all the potential office space at the site could be occupied if it were to become immediately available. In the 430,000 S.F. Main Complex, the Central Administration Building alone has the capacity for 70,000 square feet of office space. Expansion in downtown Northampton has brought about a real estate boom in recent years, with developments underway that will create 100,000 square feet of new or r 1 J ` J renovated office space. According to a.recent article in the Daily -30- OJ/ _LL/ 1Y TABLE 4: HA TSHIRE COUNTY ECONOMY WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS ECONOMIC STUDY DECEMBER FORECAST RESULTS FOR HAMPSHIRE COUNTY EMPLOYMENT TABLE (IN THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE) 1971 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 MANUFACTURING 8.279 7.886 7.835 8.453 8.746 9.020 AS % OF U.S. .045 .041 .039 .042 .043 .043 DURABLES 2.813 3.247 3.096 3.465 3.694 3.909 LUMBER(24) .291 .173 .144 .140 .125 .110 FURNITURE(25) .028 R R R R R STONE,CLAY,ETC.(32) R .016 .063 .087 .112 .122 PRIMARY METALS(33) .371 .796 .818 .978 1.1448 1.259 FABRICATED METAL(34) .366 .320 .434 .467 .523 .575 NON-ELEC MACHINE(35) R R .206 .203 .221 .225 ELECT. EQUIPMENT(36 ) R R R R R R . TRANS. EQUIP.(37) R' 0.000 _ 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 INSTRUMENTS(38) R .588 .049 .049 .049 .049 MISC. MANUF.(39) 1.115 .913 R R R R NONDURABLES 5.466, 4.639 4.739 4.988 5.051 5.111 FOOD(20) .311 .299 R R R R TOBACCO MANUF(21) .135 R 0.0001 0.000 0.000 0.000 TEXTILES(22) 1.096 .812 R R R R APPAREL(23) R R .332 .315 .289 .270 PAPER(26) 1.716 1.329 1.297 1.403 1.440 1.445 PRINTING(27) .268 .376 .564 .671 .724 .800 CHEMICALS(28) .805 R .646 .543 .483 .455 PETRO PROD(29) 0.000 .010 .005 .005 .005 .005 RUBBER(30) .345 R .778 .970 1.101 1.207 LEATHER(31) R 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 NONMANUFACTURING 31.758 35.563 40.248 45.468 50.820 54.436 AS % OF U.S. .054 .054 .053 .054 .055 .056 MINING R .021 .004 .005 .005 .006 CONT CONSTRUCTION 1.477 1.050 R R R R TRANSPORT + PUB UT .932 1.046 R R R R FINANCE, INS,+ RE .748 1.017 1.270 1.544 1.706 1.836 RETAIL TRADE 4.907 6.781 7.890 9.356 10.714 11.492 WHOLESALE TRADE .508 .620 .778 .971 1.155 1.264 SERVICES+ R 9.450 11.462 14.165 15.801 16.727 GOVERNMENT 13.894 15.578 16.640 17.061 18.896 20.502 FEDERAL 1.944 1.912 2.190 2.379 2.483 2.555 ST AND LOCAL 11.950 13.666 14.450 14.682 16.413 17.946 NON AG WAGE+SAL EMP 40.037 43.449 ---48-.083 53.921 59.566 63.457 AS % OF U.S. .052 .051 .050 .052 .053 .053 PLUS AGRICULTURE .857 .814 .864 .937 1.015 1.072 U TOTAL EMPLOYMENT 40.894 44.263 48.947 54.858 60.581 64.528 AS % OF U.S. .052 .051 .050 .052 .053 .053 -31- Hampshire Gazette, this is likely to rent for $10 - 12 per square foot and will absorb much of the current demand for such space. With this expansion, Northampton's sum total of office space will be approximately 500,000 square feet. Thus, redevelopment of the entire Main Complex for office use would nearly double the supply of Northampton's downtown office space. Other developments in the area have added and will continue to add to the supply of prime office space. In Amherst, a recently proposed downtown development would have generated over 35,000 square feet, estimated to lease for $12 - 14 per foot. This would have provided a 20% increase in Amherst's office space inventory at a cost nearly double the current average rent. The impacts of such a scale of development are uncertain, but one effect could be for tenants to vacate the older, less attractive space in favor of the newer, driving down rental prices on the lower end. While the Amherst proposal was not approved by the town, it demonstrates the positive outlook of investors and real estate developers toward that area. Twenty miles to the south, Springfield's downtown building boom has resulted in a seven year supply~of vacant office spaceat recent leasing levels. The downtown area contains more than 370,000 square feet of unoccupied office space renting at an average cost of $15.50 per square foot. It appears unlikely, therefore, that current market conditions in the Valley could quickly or easily absorb all the office space being developed now in the Northampton area, in addition to that which is potentially available at the state hospital site. There is little public benefit to adopting a development strategy for the hospital whose effect would be to undercut the private market. Instead, appropriate action should be to supplement the private market by filling in any obvious gaps. Since there may well be a surplus of office space in the valley-for the next few years, the most reasonable actions for a site -32- developer of office space to take at the hospital would be the following: 1. Selectively "bank" for long term future use space in the Main Building by securely sealing it to prevent further deterioration. 2. Add additional renovated space gradually as demand for office space in the region begins to meet supply. 3. Seek a non-local user, such as a national or multi- national firm to establish a regional headquarters for administration, research or training at the site. (See Operational Plan). 4. Selectively demolish portions of the Main Building with the least office potential (approximately 172,000 S.F.). B. Industrial Space The situation in terms of industrial space is quite different. Given the higher return to investors, Northampton's commercial and housing boom has had negative consequences for the city's supply of industrial land and buildings. Raw industrial park land is basically unavailable in the city. With the industrial park at near capacity and the remaining vacant industrially zoned land without sufficient utilities to support industry, other industrially zoned areas are being developed for residential and commercial uses - specifically off Damon Road and in the Conz Street area. The supply of inexpensive industrial space is similarly exhausted in the city due to conversion of older industrial buildings to commercial and residential uses. This trend has been in evidence for the past few years, especially in the Florence and Leeds sections of the city. -33- Ten miles away in Amherst, space in a new building in an office/research r _ park can be leased for $6 - $8 per square foot. The supply of such space is limited however, as evidenced by the recent move of Amherst firm to South Deerfield because of insufficient space. And as the area economy continues to grow, additional industrial development land will be required. In contrast, industrial space exists in more abundance in Hampden County. The Springfield-Chicopee-Holyoke area contains a variety of former mill buildings that have been subdivided to lease for $1 - 3 per square foot. In Westfield, over 100,000 square feet of industrial space is available at rents ranging from $3.50 to $12.00 per square foot. Much of this space is located in an industrial park, and most of it is ready for occupancy. Due to demand, the lack of industrial space in Hampshire County clearly does not bode well for the area's future economic growth. In the O Center's recent survey of county businesses, two findings are rather startling. First, eight firms (26% of the total) report that their current,production space is inadequate to their reeds. These firms range in size from 4 to 500 employees and are not concentrated in any particular industrial sector (2 are service firms). Secondly, the most often mentioned site related problem was the lack of expansion capacity on the premises (42% of all problems cited). In addition, recent growth trends are interesting. During the past economic recession (here measured as 1980 - 1983), twenty firms (65% of the sample) grew at a relatively stable annual rate below 8.5%. Indeed, growth for nearly half of these companies was negative. The industries represented here were primarily in the durable manufacturing area. Conversely, four companies more than doubled their number of employees while two others expanded by approximately 20% each year.. Half of these expanding companies are in the business services industry while the others are small non-durables manufacturers. -34- A final survey question asked about perceptions of the state hospital site as a. location for business. Significantly, only one firm responded negatively in terms of the site's former use. The other negative responses were concerned with the physical problems of traffic, inadequate utilities and the remote location. On. the other hand, eight firms expressed interest in the site for reasons that included the vacant land, the remote location and the variety of buildings. It thus seems obvious that the NSH site, with over 86,000 square feet of usable shop buildings and 35 acres of vacant potential industrial park land, is a valuable economic resource to the city and the county. To best take advantage of the site industrially, the following recommendations are in order: 1. The site should be industrially developed in. such a way as to provide for a range of types of space - from higher cost "industrial park" space to inexpensive "incubator" space. 2. Space should be developed for small -industrial users (1,000 - 3,000 S.F.). 3. Space not currently needed in the real estate market should be banked for future development. 4. Space for growing firms should be as flexible as possible so that changing needs can be accommodated. J J -35- C. University of Massachusetts Another Hampshire County industry with significant space requirements is the University of Massachusetts. Currently, the University owns 9 million square feet of academic, administrative, dormitory and miscellaneous space on campus. While this total is sufficient for the school's requirements, it is poorly distributed due to changing needs. Further, many research facilities are obsolete, and there is a lack of "swing space" for temporary relocations during renovations. Current policies toward space utilization are being reviewed at the highest levels of the University administration. While the commitment to maintaining dormitories, classrooms and academic research on the Amherst campus is undisputed, many non-academic functions may be encouraged to move elsewhere. Currently state and federal agencies occupy 70,000 square feet of office and laboratory space on campus. Other University developments have even greater significance in regards to area real estate. The school has begun forging active partnerships with the private sector for its own vitality as well as to encourage the economic development of the state. In these relationships, either a private company will purchase the research capacities of a University project, or the two groups will work jointly on research. Frequently, this involves construction or renovation of research space, either on campus or nearby, and the funds involved can be significant. For example, a recent proposal for $4 million would require utilization of 6,000 square feet of research space not available on campus. In addition, the University has received an allocation of $6 million from the state for expansion of research in polymer science. Their funds may be used for expansion of facilities on and/or off.-campus. Important to note with these proposals is their potentially short duration, which implies that space developed for such purposes must be easily adaptable to a variety of similar uses over time. The functional areas most involved in these projects are the engineering sciences - electronics, biotechnology, polymers and food science. -36- Two other developments are notable. First, the University's policies toward faculty consulting and general entrepreneurialism are changing to reflect a more encouraging attitude. In addition, the administration is examining the benefits of research clusters or institutes as opposed to individual faculty research applications. Both of these developments have positive impacts in the potential for off-campus facilities. In sum, the University may be a resource to redevelopment of the state hospital site, if attention is paid to the following areas: 1. Office and laboratory space for those state and federal agencies currently utilizing on campus resources; 2. Office and production space for University faculty seeking to establish their own business ventures; 3. Office space for University "think tank" institutes; '13 UU 4. Research and prototype construction space for joint private sector/University projects that are of a short to medium term nature. This space must be adaptable to different uses and divisible in several ways for projects requiring greater or lesser amounts of space. -37- V. RECOMMENDED REDEVELOPMENT STRATEGY There are 3 key features of our recommended strategy for redevelopment of the state hospital site: A. That there be a locally based industrial development group that combines the strengths of the public (city and state) and private (civic and business leaders) sectors and that eventually carries responsibility for the city's entire industrial development effort; B. That it be a mixed use redevelopment to take advantage of the diversity of spaces on the site by accommodating a range of tenants - industry/offices, innovative/traditional, small/large, young/older, and growing/stable; C. That an incremental process be followed, phased in over a long time horizon and correlated with DMH's long term site plans and the state's site transfer process. A. Locally Based Development Group A locally based group will be attuned to the needs of community residents for jobs and of businesses for industrial/office space. In addition, if it is tied to the local political process (with appointment by the Mayor for example) its actions will be in concert with Northampton's other economic development efforts. For two reasons, this local group should not be simply another organ of government. First, the realities of the marketplace are best known to private sector financiers, realtors and business leaders. Of greater importance however, is the flexibility of response,accorded to those not accountable to th.e political process on a daily basis. A private group can often make decision far more quickly than a government agency in terms of approving leasing arrangements, choosing rehabilitation J contractors or dealing with private sector financial bodies. -38- It is also recommended that the organization be empowered with n responsibility to coordinate the city°s entire industrial redevelopment effort. There are two overiding benefits to this strategy. First, the hospital. site will be developed as part of an overall city wide strategy, and not simply as an end unto itself. In addition, a business considering expansion or relocation will be able to deal with the one local development- entity knowledgable about the entire range of industrial opportunities in Northampton and empowered to offer attractive options and negotiate terms for the city. This will eliminate duplication of effort by public agencies while more efficiently serving the needs of businesses seeking relocation. B. Diversitv of Tenants The recommended reuse provides for a range of business tenants large and small, innovative and traditional, office and industrial. This scenario takes into account the variety of buildings and open spaces on the site, as well as the likelihood that DMH will require some presence on Parcel V for the next ten years. In many ways, the fact that the entire site will not be available for redevelopment at a single moment is a positive one. Since local. market research has identified no single reuse or potential tenant with a need for such a magnitude and diversity of space, a range of users must be found. Utilizing the incremental development process described below, those buildings requiring less renovation can be leased early on. This will provide the beginnings of a modest cash flow to offset operating expanses while establishing the credibility of the development organization and the identity of NSH as an industrial site. . ,1 One of the keys to success of the other industrial reuse projects examined by the Center (see Appendix B) is the flexibility of space available for a variety of industrial tenants. The diversity of tenants adds financial stability and strength to the overall project. These projects are characterized by a range of large and small "accordian" spaces; that is, the size of the space can be changed to meet the -39- tenants' evolving needs. At Northampton State Hospital (NSH), the redevelopment gi attract a wider range of prospective tenants with a menu of different kinds of space and a range of rental prices. For instance, the. 35 acres j of open land on Parcel VII can be used as, incentive to attract growing firms who wish to lease existing space for several years, but whose long term plans call for specialized plant construction. Part of the land I can be set aside for such expansions with the remainder sold anal/or leased for other industrial park development. C. Incremental Process Any strategy for redevelopment of Northampton State Hospital must take into account the current difficult political, economic and administrative environment, as well as the realities of the real estate marketplace and the complexities of the physical resources at the site. By phasing in development over a long time horizon, the proposed strategy provides flexibility to meet the above challenges as they unfold and to take advantage of unforseen opportunities as they might arise. The Department of Mental Health (DMH) presents particular uncertainties to a redevelopment strategy. The agency is in the process of determining its long term facilities needs at NSH. Although the debate over deinstitutionalization has essentially been resolved in favor of greater community centered care, there are questions that remain concerning the time frame involved in moving to such a system and the size of the patient population that will always require a secure treatment facility. DMH currently occupies the entire Memorial Complex and parts of Parcel V, (Haskell, Nurses, South Employees Home, Central Administration and several of the small shops behind the Main Building). At this writing, plans are to abandon the Memorial Complex altogether when the total patient population is reduced from its current 250 to 115, and to move all patients into Haskell. As deinstitutionalization continues, a new secure treatment facility will be constructed to care for the projected -40- 60 patients who will always require a secure setting. This f acil:i:ty will be self-contained and it may be located on Parcel- II, freeing the Haskell Building and small shops for some other use. It is likely that the Memorial Complex would be freed up in. 2 to 3 years, but the entire process of moving all patient care off off Parcel V could well take ten or more years to complete. -41- VII. OPERATIONAL PLAN A. The Entity The redevelopment of Northampton State Hospital from a publicly owned patient care facility to an economic enterprise furthering economic stability through the private industrial sector is no small undertaking. For the venture to succeed, it must be the responsibility of a redevelopment entity with expertise in many arenas, including: - industrial site development - industrial site marketing - management of industrial space - negotiating the political process - establishing credibility with financial community - reconciling the requirements of business with such community issues as employment and quality of life Further, this group should be empowered with responsibility for all the city's industrial development. The advantage of this "one game in town" approach is the efficiency gained by a coordinated and integrated strategy wherein one body is aware of all the development activity occurring in the city. Prospective tenants know who to approach for information on available sites, and accountability is enhanced when responsibilities are so clearly delineated. The City should expect that the development will proceed with a sense of real accountability to the public. However, there are compelling rea- sons to remove the project from the direct daily control of the city government. First, the long term time horizon is in conflict with the usual shorter completion periods of municipal projects. In addition, to ensure equity in negotiating with prospective tenants and contractors, the daily authority and decision making process should be outside the political sphere. The City should be involved in the project's overall planning and implementation strategy, but the actual development should be carried out by a group entrusted by the City with that particular responsibility. -42- This model has worked in Northampton in the past. Recently, the Northampton Development Corporation, a LDC (Local Development Corporation) comprised of business leaders, bankers and government officials, assumed responsibility for renovating the historic Hotel Northampton. The group gained experience and credibility in undertaking this successful project, and the City could build on their knowledge by seeking their involvement with a new development entity. This report recommends the formation of an Industrial Corporation (EDIC) to undertake state hospital site on behalf of the City. in Appendix A, an EDIC has wide ranging poi and manage industrial real estate projects unemployment.or blight. Economic Development and the redevelopment of the As is more fully described ,aers allowing it to develop in areas of substantial The composition of an EDIC is such that it has strong ties to the municipality and the private development community through mayoral appointments of persons experienced in finance, real estate and industry to the EDIC Board of Directors. Thus linked with both the political process and the local private sector, the EDIC operates within a framework of credibility to others in the worlds of finance and development, of familiarity with local problems and issues, and with the support of elected officials providing assistance in the delicate political negotiations that are certain to be a part of any redeve- lopment project of this magnitude. Of course, other development organizations could also undertake the project. For example, a municipal Redevelopment Authority (RA) has many of the same powers and local advantages of an EDIC, including the ability to develop commercial and residential uses which an EDIC lacks (see Appendix A). One crucial difference between the groups.is that the RA serves as an intermediate owner and developer, having no authority to manage property. Because some parts of the state hospital site are likely to remain in public ownership over a long term - common parking and open space areas and buildings for incubator -industries - the RA may not be the optimal structure for the development entity. -43- Another agency that could develop the site is the Massachusetts Government Land Bank., as recommended by Lozano and White. The Bank's [unction is to smooth the way for future development, and so their involvement is early in the project. The Bank serves to assemble and prepare the site, demolishing unusable buildings, making necessary infrastructure improvements, and accepting proposals from private developers for final development. The final proposal must be approved by the local City Council. There are both advantages and difficulties in utilizing the services of the Land Bank. On the positive side, the Bank has the credibility and experience with the state legislature and the Division of Capital Planning and Operations (DCPO) to traverse the complexities of the state's site transfer process. Further., it has acquisition funds available as well as capital for the improvements and building demolitions that will be necessary, regardless of what development group undertakes the project. Finally, the Bank is familiar with the l Northampton State Hospital project and has expressed its interest in involvement at an as yet unspecified level. The potential difficulties in utilizing the Land Bank must also be noted. Because the Bank's interest in a site is of a short term nature, it seeks proposals from others for final development. While the City Council has veto power over any proposal approved by the Land Bank, it is unlikely to use this power, except in very extreme cases. Veto power is a negative force; far better is the positive input that comes from a proposal being designed and implemented by a locally based group. Although an EDIC (or other public/private development group) is eligible to submit a proposal to the Bank, there are no guarantees that the proposal will be selected, or that the criteria for selection will reflect local values. The Land Bank has undertaken several projects throughout the state over the past few years. Public officials in western Massachusetts are cautious in their praise of the Bank, citing time consuming inefficiencies in the development process and disappointment in the -44- j level of success of the projects. In eastern Massachusetts, Lozano and White cite several projects with more positive reviews. In conclusion, this report recommends that the City consult with the Land Bank to determine their level of interest in the project. Discussions should be held to appraise the Bank on the kind of long term development that the City seeks for the state hospital site, and the type of development/management body to undertake it. Finally, City officials should contact other municipalities with Land Bank projects to learn first hand of their positive and negative experiences. Should a local development body be established, it will be critically important that it be staffed by a competent, experienced and creative personnel. The redevelopment of the state hospital site is more than a full time job, and responsibility for it must go to an individual with industrial development, promotion and project management capability. The first: activities undertaken by its Director must be in the political arena to expedite the process of site transfer and to establish the group's credibility as a competent agency that will accomplish its goals. In addition, contacts with potential funding sources must be established (see Appendix C). At the same time, the organization can begin planning for a long term :solution to the difficulties of reusing the Main Complex of buildings, with over 385,000 square feet of mixed office, apartment and dormitory space in good to poor condition. Because it seems inevitable that many of these buildings must be demolished at great expense unless some use is identified, we recommend that a top notch industrial real estate marketer be hired to evaluate them in terms of the non-local market. The consultant's task will be short term and specific. It will involve travel and contacts with national and multinational firms to assess the suitability of the Main Complex for redevelopment as a corporate 1 facility of some type - research, regional headquarters, conference and training center, etc. This kind of development is a "'long shot", but -45- with the substantial historical preservation tax credits that may be available, there is a potential for such corporate interest. Determining the level of that interest is beyond the scope of this study. With knowledge of the consultant's findings, the development group can then make an. informed decision on whether to demolish, bank or renote the individual buildings comprising the Main Complex. Further, if the information is gathered early enough, the developers can work during the state's transfer process to encourage maintenance and repair of Main Complex buildings that meet their priorities and seek public funds for demolition of those that are beyond repair or for which there is no possible reuse. B. First Actions By the City There are a number of specific tasks that the City can begin to accomplish to expedite the redevelopment process at the state hospital. They are listed below. 1. Begin local political process of organizing the development entity. 2. Maintain contact with state transfer process to ensure that opportunities for expediting building acquisitions are met. 3. Work toward zoning changes to allow industrial redevelopment to occur on Parcels VII and V. 4. Negotiate arrangement with DMH for purchase of heat f.or newly acquired buildings. 5. Begin process of determination of historic status for eligibility of site improvements for tax credits. 6. Determine need for environmental impact statements. -46- / 7. Develop inventory of structural capacities of industrial buildings and the utilities available so that specific uses for each building can be assessed. C. Conditions that Should be Met Before the Development Entity Assumes Control of the Site The development of the site will be an incremental process that will take a number of years to accomplish and will generate only a modest cash flow during its early phases. The lower the development's initial capitalization costs and resulting debt load, the greater will be its viability. In light of this, it is important that when the local group assumes control of and responsibility for the site, the buildings are either reusable in the short range or at least capable of being "banked" for future reuse without requiring costly repairs just to keep them weather tight. What financial resources the local group has at its disposal during the early years will be required for the experienced and \J creative staff, marketing, and minor rehabilitation costs. If they were to be faced with having to sink large amounts of money into shoring up buildings such as the Main Complex 2 type that are probably not immediately reusable, the development effort will be strangled before it can get underway. It is therefore recommended that as part of its commitment to the reuse of the Northampton State Hospital, the Commonwealth turn over to the redevelopment entity buildings that meet the following minimum criterion of repair: that each building be of a structural soundness and weather tightness so as to stand unused for 5 years without significant deterioration. A project must be funded to repair roofs, install dry shut offs, and repair such damage as has already occurred to vacant buildings. Potential sources for funding such work are included in the Appendix. l Another significant step that the Commonwealth can take to strengthen the initial redevelopment efforts relates to the heating of buildings on -47- Parcel V. The existing buildings were constructed as part of a single institution and therefore their heating system depends upon a single source: the State Hospital's power plant. The Lozano and White study determined that the power plant has sufficient equipment of good capacity and in good repair to continue to perform its task for the foreseeable future, but that the delivery network to the various buildings and the distribution system within buildings is in many cases outmoded and in need of repair. So that the project will not have to undertake the immediate construction of a new ideating system, it is recommended that: 1. Necessary upgrading and repair of the heat delivery system be part of the basic maintenance performed before the transfer of buildings takes place; and 2. Prior to the transfer of the site, an equitable agreement be reached whereby the state will be reimbursed for the costs of continuing to provide heat to the buildings of Parcel V as they are reused during the early phases of redevelopment. D. Operational Principles There are several basic principles by which the development entity should strive to operate the redeveloped Northampton State Hospital. Those included. below were a part of the operations of the successful projects the Center investigated as a part of this study. (See Appendix A). 1. First, the overriding long term goal of the. development must he operational self-sufficiency. This can be achieved only if the facility is run as an economic enterprise that competes in the real estate marketplace for tenants, and charges rents and service fees that cover its fixed and variable expenses. It must also be noted that the development has a long time horizon and critics should not l 1'~ U ~ expect a break-even situation in its first few years. Finally, the -48- purpose of the redevelopment is to provide an additional economic resource to the area that complements the offerings of the private C, sector without undercutting the real estate market. The project should be operated with a focus toward filling in gaps in the area's supply of industrial and office space. Currently those gaps exist in the low range rental of flexible industrial space and in the availability of small industrial spaces. 2. To enable the project to charge rents that are both competitive and cover operational costs, significant public subsidy will be needed. Without such assistance, the renovations and improvements to infrastructure that must be undertaken will generate an unreasonable debt service that cannot be covered by revenues from operations. 3. Another means of lowering the financing costs is through joint development with private developers and investors. For example, the Main Building may be eligible for historic preservation status, which implies a host of tax credits that are irrelevant to a tax ( /1 exempt group but of potentially significant consequence to a profit-making venture. Thus by selling the buildings, the local group may reduce the level of capital improvements it needs to make, while the private developer can lower the cost of financing by enjoying significant tax savings. 4. It is very important that the site offer a range of building types, sizes and raw land to accommodate the variety of business needs that exist. The needs of prospective tenants can then be accommended more easily as well, so that a quick response to the market is possible. Since the Center's local market research indicated no single pressing need for a particular kind of space, maintaining flexibility in offering a range of choices is a realistic response. 5. Several of the successful industrial developments that we visited have on-site management. This allows for greater interaction and understanding between tenant and landlord. The benefits to this are obvious - the landlord knows how the businesses are faring, and can -49- anticipate needs for additional. space. On the other hand, if a business is not doing well, having an amicable relationship with the landlord can help to resolve potential difficulties. 6. The public's involvement and investment implies that the development of the site should generate some kind of benefit to the region. One major objective of the city is that reuse of the site strengthen the economic base of the area. Given the traditional- importance of the manufacturing sector to the local economy combined with the current shortage of industrial space in the city, reuse of the site by manufacturing firms is a priority. tenants, the criteria by which they their leases must take into account generation and increasing the regio; activities that lead to creation of requirements that can be. met by the The means used to attract are selected, and the terms of the public benefits of job zal income stream. In sum, stable jobs with skill local workforce should be encouraged at the site. / 7. Special consideration for new businesses should be provided as well. Young, growing firms face particular problems, including the need for small inexpensive space as well as frequent cash flow crises. The FDIC can provide space for these emerging firms (so called "incubator space"). The space requirements for these firms is generally small. in the range of 1,000 - 3,000 square feet. Inexpensive rents ($1 - $3 per square foot) can help ease the cash flow burden in the first years of a firm's life. While the space need not be elegant, it should be flexible to different kinds of itses because the expectation is that a single firm would grow out of its space over a period of years so it could be leased to another new firm. Here too is the advantage of maintaining a variety of building types of the site. The growing firm could move to larger quarters nearby with less disruption to its operations than if it needed to leave the area. } 8. Respect for the architectural integrity of the buildings implies J that building and landscape design principles will be employed to -50- enhance the amenities at the site. It is appropriate that the development organization be committed to developing an attractive site suited to the kinds of tenants it aspires to. bring to the site . and the city. E. Implementation Phases Because of the large scale of the site, the complexities and uncertainties of the scale-down of DMH activities there, and the magnitude of required rehabilitation and infrastructure costs, the redevelopment of the Northampton State Hospital site will have to take place in incremental phases over a long period of time. This section of the report describes the overall scenario in the sequence of implementation phases that are recommended by the Center. This strategy of phased implementation incorporates the following elements that are crucial to the success of the redevelopment project: - The interrelated and mutually supportive roles to be played by the Commonwealth and its agencies, by the city, and by the redevelopment entity; - a flexible time line that can accommodate the uncertainties of the scale-down of DMH activities on. the site; - short, medium, and long-term planning that takes advantage of the parts of the site that are available for reuse now and builds toward coherent and productive reuse of all of Parcels V and VII as they become available; - af.lexible framework within which the redevelopment entity can maneuver to take advantage of market opportunities that arise and to meet specific needs of the local economy; - an orderly sequence of operational objectives to guide the redevelopment entity as it uses its authority and flexibility to determine the specific tactics of the redevelopment project; - a correlation of necessary major expenditures with the phases of the implementation sequence that require such expenditures; - an outline of potential funding sources to support each phase of implementation. -51- The chart that follows provides a graphic illustration of the incremental development sequence that is recommended. Divided into five phases of activity, there are actions that can be taken immediately by the City to promote redevelopment of the site, although it may be many years before all is completed. The first stage of activity is defined as preparatory. During this time, the City is the primary actor, involved in clearing the way for future site transfer and development. Such local actions include ensuring that proper zoning is in place, that sewer/water and electrical hookups are sufficient for industry and establishing the basis for historic renovation tax credits. In addition, discussions can be held with state officials over heat sharing and the condition of buildings prior to transfer can be held. In phase two, a local development entity (here named an EDIC) is established and empowered to take responsibility for the city's efforts n in redeveloping the site. The agency's Board of Directors is appointed / and an executive director hired to do its work. This individual's first task is to work with the state transfer process and to locate sources of public and private funds for early site improvements. During phase three, the agency is beginning to market the site to private developers and industry. Buildings are sold "as is" so the agency need not bear the cost of expensive renovations. In addition, the agency hires a real estate marketing expert to text the interest of national and multi-national firms in purchasing the main administration buildings. Minor renovations to the mixed industrial and small office buildings are undertaken, so that these incubator industry spaces can be rented. In the fourth phase, buildings requiring more extensive renovations are marketed. Discussions with Drib are held to determine that agency's long-term facility needs so that a long-range site plan can be _ developed for the Main Complex. 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O (L) U) G -r-4 4-J aJ o -1 4-4 a (1) G 44 u cd v 4.J QJ u •r1 •r1 Q1 cd O u G 1J •r-I (1) SJ 4-J W U •rl (d U cd 4J r-1 C) (1) U cr, G O •r1 41 0 Q) U P, Id ti G •r-I ,4 cd C P 4-I r.., •ri p, M rl G m cJ a) 3+ ♦ i r k a) >11 r-I 4J P, 4--I •H (1) G 4-I O Q) O cA +J O O O G' +J ca •H a) Pa G CO 4-I " cd 4-1 ,4 V) p co 4-1 U 34 a) •rl as cJ u) O o P o QD p v4 rQ Q Q) P, W C7 U Q) JJ 0 r-i 41 Q1 - r-I u r-i Q) 4-1 r~ H O Lr1 w a) 4J +J u u ni Pi 1 co Ln I VII. OPERATIONAL BUDGET A. Introduction This section projects the financial implications of the reuse project. Included here is a five year operating budget for the local agency responsible for managing the site, as well as a sketch of a capital budget for building renovations and site improvements to Parcel V, the Main Complex. No expenses or revenues are projected for development of Parcel VII, the vacant land, assumed to be developed in years subsequent to this five year time frame. This scenario estimates the effects of a privately focused development strategy. The public development entity's primary function is to acquire, redevelop and market the buildings of the Main Complex to the private sector, either to private developers or industrial users. The scenario assumes the agency would be able to acquire the property from the state for a nominal price. In addition, the state would make available sufficient funds for those capital improvements, such as repairing roofs and windows and draining pipes, necessary to secure the buildings until they can be sold. The agency would oversee these repairs and then undertake a five year marketing program to sell the buildings directly to private industries or to private developers. In the latter case, the developers would be responsible for final renovation and subsequent leasing or sale to industrial users. Proceeds collected by the public agency from building sales will be used to reimburse the state for the funds provided for repairs, with any surplus split between the local agency (as commission) and the state as the nominal acquisition price. In this way, the local agency would not need to carry a heavy debt burden pending building sales. The cost of more substantial renovations, including individual heating systems, would be borne by the individual purchasers. The buildings would be in a secure position until such time as they can be sold, and the state's funds would be \J provided as a zero interest loan, not as a direct grant. -59-- Finally, the public agency would not relinquish total control of the site after the sales. Approximately 25% of the available space will be held by the agency to be rented as an incubator center to small growing local companies. Necessary improvements to these shops and small office buildings are not extensive, although heating system replacements may be called for in buildings connected to the central heating plant. The assumptions made in preparing the budget projections were developed using conservative estimates of`space availability, condition, and renovation cost. It is assumed that the local agency°s primary focus is to sell the buildings on the Main Complex to private industries, while maintaining the shops (Mixed Industrial type) and small office buildings (Office 1 type) to rent to small local companies. In total, the local agency will be responsible for slightly over 350,000 square feet of building space on the Main Complex. Incubator space accounts for 25% of this, with the remaining 265,000 square feet to be sold. This scenario assumes that DMH will continue to occupy an \ additional 145,000 square feet of administrative and patient care facilities on the site over the five year time horizon. (In the longer term not projected here, these buildings - Haskell, South Employees, and Nurses - will be available for private development.) Not counted in any of these figures is approximately 172,000 square feet of the Main Building which appears to be unsuitable for renovations. Demolition of this part of the building is assumed. The cost is assumed to be borne by the state. Over the long term, the local agency will be responsible for securing and managing the grounds and maintaining parking lots and roads on the site. For these services, a management fee will be collected from businesses occupying the buildings. These revenues are assumed to be assessed on a per square foot of occupancy basis. Revenues from renting incubator space were estimated using a weighted average of $2.99 per square foot of occupied space based on estimates of the amount of space available for offices (at $5.00 per square -60- n foot) and industrial (at $2.50 per square foot) rental. This rate is slightly low for the area, but is being used for several reasons. First, the state hospital site is not yet perceived as a prime business location, and the lower rents may help attract business to the site. Second, there is a public benefit to maintaining low rents, to encourage small businesses to grow and remain in the area. Thus, unlike a private developer with requirements for a profit line, the public entity returns its "profit" to the community by means of maintaining rents at the low end of the spectrum. It may be possible to reduce expenditures beyond the levels shown in the budget. For instance, the City can assist in defraying operating expenses, especially early on in the development. Administrative support to the development entity can be provided in a donation of the staff time of city employees or direct payment of salaries. Of greater importance, however, is flexibility in dealing with property taxes. For example, EDICs are authorized to negotiate 121A tax agreements, and in doing so can reduce a great deal of uncertainty in knowing its legal obligations ahead of time. For this reason, no property tax liability is shown in the operational budget. In the operational budget, no capital expenditures are assumed. Instead, after operational expenses are covered, a net income figure remains that can be used for interest payments on some unknown capital improvement budget. With careful planning, the high costs of financing can be reduced by timing borrowings to correspond with expenditures over time. The capital needs projections shown in Table 7 are very preliminary estimates. A realistic capital budget must be prepared with more complete architectural and engineering information than is currently available. Each line item requires scrutiny. For example, the renovation cost estimate of $60 per square foot by Lozano and White is several years old. Yet when compared with the $40 per square foot cost of new local construction, the earlier estimate seems high. -61- In a similar vein, more information is needed about the heating system. / Heating the site has been an increasingly expensive proposition for DMH. Currently DMH is paying $1.80 per square foot for heat (compared to 45~ at the Bennington Industrial Center). Because a single power plant heats the entire hospital site, some arrangement will have to be made between the developer and the state for purchase of heat. The budget included here uses the $1.80 per square foot cost of heating all the gross rentable space controlled by the development group in the first years. They will be responsible'for the cost of heating the unoccupied portion of this space, and this is reflected in-the operating budget, although a state subsidy is assumed to cover part of the cost. While it is beyond the scope of this study to examine alternatives to the current heating system, it is clear that something must be done to lower the cost. The reasons for the high cost must be determined: leaks in the delivery system, lack of insulation or an inefficient heating plant may all be culprits. A partial solution might be to sever particular buildings from the central system and install individual heating units in each. -62 B. BUDGET FINDINGS ( n 1. Once 70% of the incubator space is rented (year 4), the project will generate an annual cash surplus that can be used to pay property tax, to service outstanding loans or provide the means for expanding the organization's capacity to assist area businesses. (See Table 3) 2. The working capital deficit that will accumulate in years 1 - 3 can be offset by profits generated in subsequent years. Revenues in the early years will be insufficient to cover costs, especially in the areas of personnel and fuel. Public subsidy can reduce this deficit. (See Table 3) . 3. After year 5 annual surplus from operations will total approximately $166,000. If all of this is applied as debt service to a capital improvements loan, these funds could generate $1.6 million (at 10% for 20 years). This equates to $18.92/square foot for renovations of buildings owned by the public agency that will be used for incubator industires. (See Tables 3 and 5). 4. Estimates of the total capital needed for redevelopment of the Main Complex range from $6.3 to $11.0 million. Assuming that outside funds can be found to cover the costs of demolition and securing the buildings to be sold, the organization must raise a total of $3.3 to $5.4 million for renovations and site improvements on the remainder of the property. (See Table 4) 5. If the organization is able to borrow $1.6 million, the additional $1.9 to $4.3 million needed for renovations must be raised elsewhere. Debt service for this loan cannot be covered from operational revenues. 6. Sale of the industrial park land can generate $500,000 to $750,000 in revenues, which could be used to offset some renovation expense. On the other hand, these funds might best be reserved for debt service on improvements to the industrial park itself. -63- TABLE 6: PROJECTED REVENUES & EXPENSES* YEARS 1 - 5 YEAR 1. 2. 3 4 5 EXPENSES PERSONNEL Director Site Manager Maintenance Secretary Security $ 40,000 0 17,500 9,000 7,500 $ 40,000 0 17,500 12,000 7,500 $ 40,000 0 17,500 12,000 7,500 $ 0 15,000 17,500 0 7,500 $ 0 15,000 17,500 0 7,500 SALARY TOTAL $ 74,000 $ 77,000 $ 77,000 $ 40,000 $ 40,000 OFFICE 2 Promotion,Travel $ 17,500 $ 7,500 $ 5,000 $ 3,500 $ 1,500 Telephone 2,000 2,000 1,500 1,500 1,000 Supplies 500 500 500 500 500 Legal 3,000 3,000 3,000 39000 1,000 Accounting 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,000 500 OFFICE TOTAL $ 24,500 $ 14,500 $ 11,500 $ 9,500 $ 4,500 OPERATIONS3 Utilities-common reas $ 59000 $ 8,000 $ 10,000 $ 12,000 $ 15,000 Fuel-common areas 0 30,987 50,725 19,849 9,938 Insurance 10,000 12,000 15,000 15,000 18,000 Maintenance/Repair 8,000 10,000 12,000 12,000 15,000 OPERATIONS TOTAL $ 23,000 $ 60,987 $ 93,362 $ 58,849 $ 57,938 GRAND TOTAL EXPENSES $121,500 $152,487 $181,862 $108,349 $102,438 REVENUES $ Rents5 49,822 $ 87,191 $124,560 $174,383 $202,519 6 Management Fees 13,343 26,688 40,032 53,375 66,719 TOTAL REVENUE $ 63,165 $113,879 $164,592 $227,758 $268,698 SURPLUS (DEFICIT) 58,335) 38,608) 17,270) $119,409 $166,260 Accumulated net surplus after 5 years = $171,456 * 1983 constant dollars -64-. NOTES TO TABLE 6. (For computations, see Appendix D) Total incubator space available for rent by local agency: Years 1 - 4 98,020 square feet Year 5 84,579 square feet (after sale of Orlander Building) Office 1 type 19,334 square feet Mixed Industrial 65,245* Orlander 13,441** 98,020 square feet , * Representing 75% of total shop space because of assumed need by DMH for 25% of such space. Includes first floor of the building - kitchen and dining room, NOTE 1 By year 4, Director no longer involved with management or marketing of NSH site. This function has been taken on by part-time site manager. Director salary paid from other sources, as organization becomes involved in new projects. NOTE 2 Includes additional $10,000 in Year 1 for industrial real estate consultant to market Main Complex nationally. NOTE 3 Provision for property tax is not included here because of uncertainty over the assessed valuation of the property. The agency and the city will need to negotiate.a tax agreement based on operating revenues or surplus. NOTE 4 Fuel costs of unrented and common incubator space computed assuming the state will subsidize the cost of heating space not rented as follows: Year 1 State pays 100% of cost Year 2 " 75% of cost Year 3 it 50% of cost Year 4 if 0% of cost Cost per square foot of heating Years l - 3 $1.80 (current cost as per DMH) Later years .0.50 (renovations take effect) -65- (~^l NOTES TO TABLE 6 continued NOTE 5 Years 1 - 4 Year 5 Space available to rent 98,000 S.F. 84,579 S.F. Net rentable space (85%) 83,317 71,892 Year Occupancy Rate Rented Space 1 20% 16,663 S.F. 2 35% 29,161 3 50% 41,659 4 70% 58,322 5 90% 64,703 Weighted average rent of $2.99 per net rentable square foot in years 1 - 4, $3.13 per square foot in year 5 ($5.00 per S.F. for office, $2.50 for Orlander and mixed industrial). NOTE 6 Management fee estimated at $0.25 per square foot of space sold to private companies. Assume 20% of total space sold each year, so at 5 years, 100% or 266,877 square feet have been sold. Not shown are estimates of commissions from building sales, because of uncertainty of market value of buildings. -.66-- TABLE 7: ESTIMATED CAPITAL NEEDS Square Cost Range per Low High Footage Square Foot Estimate Estimate Acquisition 523,5191 $02 0 0 Demolition 172,0633 $6-104 $1,032,378 $1,720,630 Sealing Buildings 5 253,4366 $5-107 $1,267,180 $2,534,360 Renovations for 8 9 6 0 40 6 0 Incubator Space 98,020 $20-30 0 $1,9 0,4 $2,9 , 0 Site Improvements 10 $1,000,000 $2,000,000 TOTAL PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS $5,259,958 $9,195,590 Soft Costs 10%11 1,051,992 1,839,118 TOTAL CAPITAL NEEDS $6,311,950 $11,034,708 -67- NOTES TO TABLE 6 continued NOTE 5 Years 1 - 4 Year 5 Space available to rent 98,000 S.F. 84,579 S.F. Net rentable space (85%) 83,317 71,892 Year Occupancy Rate Rented Space 1 20%, 16,663 S.F. 2 35% 29,161 3 50% 41,659 4 70% 58,322 5 90% 64,703 Weighted average rent of $2.99 per net rentable square foot in years 1 4, $3.13 per square foot in year 5 ($5.00 per S.F. for office, $2.50 for Orlander and mixed i ndustrial). NOTE 6 Management fee estimated at $0.25 per square foot of space sold to private companies. Assume 20% of t otal space sold each year, so at 5 years, 100% or 266,877 square feet have been sold. Not shown are estimates of commissions from building sales, because of uncertainty of market value of buildings. _ NOTES TO TABLE 7. i * Total space sold here is 266,877 square feet. NOTE 1 All Parcel V Buildings except: Haskell Building S. Employees Home Nurses Building 25% of usable shops (unspecified) These are assumed to be in use by DMH for the foreseeable future. NOTE 2 Assume no acquisition cost from one public entity to another. Proceeds from sales are to be returned to the state as repayment of acquisition cost. Agency may keep 5% as commission. This income is not shown in the accompanying budgets because of the uncertainty of building values. NOTE 3 Main Complex 3 type NOTE 4 Estimate from Lozano and White NOTE 5 Includes such repairs to roofs, heating systems etc. to make it possible for buildings to stand unoccupied for up to 5 years. Does not include space being renovated for incubator rental. NOTE 6 All Parcel V buildings except: Space being kept by the agency for rental (see notes to Table H). Space assumed to be needed by DMH (see note 1 above). Space to be demolished (see note 3 above). NOTE 7 Estimate from Northampton. City Planner NOTE 8 Includes buildings to be retained by public development entity: 75% of usable shop buildings (DMH using 25%) Office 1 type Orlander Building, kitchen and dining room NOTE 9 Estimate from Lozano and White and Center for Economic Development NOTE 10 Estimate by Center for. Economic Development NOTE 11 Estimate by Center for Economic Development to include legal, accounting, and brokerage fees. -68- TABLE 8: DEBT SERVICE PROJECTIONS ANNUAL PAYMENT INTEREST RATE LOAN TERM CAPITAL:IZAT ION $ 50,000 10.0% 20 years $0.5 million $100,000 10.0% 25 years $1.0 million $100,000 8.8% 20 years $1.0 million $150,000 10.0% 25 years $1.5 million $150,000 8.8% 25 years $1.6 million $166,000 10.0% 20 years $1.6 million $166,000 8.8% 20 years $1.7 million $200,000 10.0% 20 years $1.7 million $250,000 10.0% 20 years $2.3 million i J -69