ArtsTrustERRSigned
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development
451 Seventh Street, SW
Washington, DC 20410
www.hud.gov
espanol.hud.gov
Environmental Review for Activity/Project that is
Categorically Excluded Subject to Section 58.5
Pursuant to 24 CFR 58.35(a)
Project Information
Project Name: Arts‐Trust‐Accessability
HEROS Number:
900000010131631
State / Local Identifier:
Project Location: 33 Hawley Street , Northampton , MA 01060
Additional Location Information:
N/A
Description of the Proposed Project [24 CFR 50.12 & 58.32; 40 CFR 1508.25]:
The major work of this project is to make the entrance and parking lot to the building be American with
Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant. The Northampton Community Arts Trust's property consists of a 25,000 sq.
ft. building located on the northwest section of a 1.5 acre, T‐shaped lot. The property slopes down from
frontage on Hawley Street and abuts the railroad line along its back edge. Built in 1986, the building is a
former lumberyard and is being renovated into a multi‐use community arts facility. Approximately 70% of the
building has been renovated and is in use. There are two entrances to the building, one at street level and
one accessed from the parking lot on the south side of the building. This project concerns the central section
of the 33 Hawley Street parking lot, on the south side of the building, adjacent to the lower level entrance.
This section, which measures approximately 66 ft. x 125 ft., slopes down at a sharp pitch of approximately
1:8 or 11% from Hawley Street, particularly near the entrance, and slopes less sharply from the back edge of
the lot, creating a bowl‐like center. This condition makes access to the lower level entrance difficult for the
mobility impaired and generally less safe for drivers and pedestrians. In this project, this central section of
the parking lot will be reconfigured, regraded and repaved to improve handicapped access to both the lower
and street level entrances. Currently, the entire area is surfaced with asphalt and devoted to parking. All the
asphalt in the work area will be removed and replaced with either new asphalt or planting areas with new
subsurface material and loam. This project will create a new, level parking area which will angle slightly away
from the building. There will be 16 parking places, including two handicapped spaces at the entrance to the
lot from Hawley Street. These spaces provide handicap access to the street level entrance of the building. On
either side of the rear of the new parking section are two planting areas, with new subsurface material and
loam. Adjacent to the building and the lower entrance, a courtyard measuring approximately 34 feet x 36
feet will be created immediately outside the lower entrance. There is an existing retaining wall adjacent to
the lower entrance, extending at an angle into the parking lot. An additional concrete masonry retaining wall
will join the existing wall and a second, longer, concrete masonry retaining wall will be built at a slight angle
to the building to create the courtyard and separate it from the parking lot. This courtyard and the lower
level entrance are accessed by a gently sloping wheelchair accessible path, surfaced with concrete pavers,
Arts‐Trust‐Accessability Northampton , MA 900000010131631
06/03/2020 12:07 Page 2 of 3
Level of Environment Review Determination:
Categorically Excluded per 24 CFR 58.35(a), and subject to laws and authorities at §58.5:
58.34(a)(12)
58.35(a)(2)
Funding Information
Estimated Total HUD Funded Amount:
$200,000.00
Estimated Total Project Cost [24 CFR 58.2 (a) (5)]: $399,531.00
Mitigation Measures and Conditions [CFR 1505.2(c)]:
Summarized below are all mitigation measures adopted by the Responsible Entity to reduce, avoid or
eliminate adverse environmental impacts and to avoid non‐compliance or non‐conformance with the
above‐listed authorities and factors. These measures/conditions must be incorporated into project
contracts, development agreements and other relevant documents. The staff responsible for
implementing and monitoring mitigation measures should be clearly identified in the mitigation plan.
Law,
Authority, or
Factor
Mitigation Measure or Condition Comments on
Completed Measures
Complete
Determination:
☐ This categorically excluded activity/project converts to EXEMPT per Section 58.34(a)(12),
because it does not require any mitigation for compliance with any listed statutes or authorities,
nor requires any formal permit or license; Funds may be committed and drawn down after
certification of this part for this (now) EXEMPT project; OR
through a new planted area from the rear of the parking lot, where there are two handicap parking spaces.
The courtyard is also accessed by a new set of stairs descending from near the Hawley Street entrance to the
building. This stairway is between the two new retaining walls. Alongside the stairway are wood benches akin
to stadium seating. Other features of the courtyard include: ‐ safety rails along the top of the new retaining
wall ‐ safety mesh along the top of the existing retaining wall ‐ handrails on the stairway and handicap access
paths ‐ a planting area on the top of the new retaining wall, with new subsurface and loam ‐ courtyard
surface of either traprock gravel or concrete pavers here The bowl‐like configuration of the existing parking
lot has resulted in rainwater pooling near the building. This project will create a new drainage system,
including: ‐ a small rain‐garden feature to absorb water before it enters the storm drain system ‐ four drains
along the base of long new retaining wall ‐ drains in the planting area to the rear of the new parking section
closest to the building ‐ a new catch basin to the rear of the parking area
Grant Number HUD Program Program Name
B‐19‐MC‐25‐0027
Community Planning and
Development (CPD)
Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
(Entitlement)
Arts‐Trust‐Accessability Northampton , MA 900000010131631
06/03/2020 12:07 Page 3 of 3
☐ This categorically excluded activity/project cannot convert to Exempt status because one or
more statutes or authorities listed at Section 58.5 requires formal consultation or mitigation.
Complete consultation/mitigation protocol requirements, publish NOI/RROF and obtain
“Authority to Use Grant Funds” (HUD 7015.16) per Section 58.70 and 58.71 before committing
or drawing down any funds; OR
☐ This project is not categorically excluded OR, if originally categorically excluded, is now subject
to a full Environmental Assessment according to Part 58 Subpart E due to extraordinary
circumstances (Section 58.35(c)).
Preparer Signature: __________________________________________ Date: __________________
Name / Title/ Organization: Keith Benoit / / NORTHAMPTON
Responsible Entity Agency Official Signature: ___________________________ Date: ____________
Name/ Title: __________________________________ _____________________________________
This original, signed document and related supporting material must be retained on file by the
Responsible Entity in an Environment Review Record (ERR) for the activity / project (ref: 24 CFR Part
58.38) and in accordance with recordkeeping requirements for the HUD program(s).
6/3/2020
David J. Narkewicz, Mayor
6/3/2020