2003 Northampton Planning Awards
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GrowSmart Developer: Michael Sissman
Michael Sissman has always been interested in good urban design. In the last few years, Michael created three great projects. First, he took over
a very controversial infill project on South Street, scaled it back, improved the design, and created a project that the neighborhood could support. Then
he converted the architecturally beautiful, but functionally obsolete, Twin Cleaners Building into a model of redevelopment. Finally, he began his
riskiest project, the Strong Block, the largest downtown Northampton infill project in a decade. Michael’s Strong Block project incorporates excellent
architecture, commercial infill, and downtown housing. All of these projects are part of the future of a thriving downtown Northampton.
Although we recognize Michael Sissman for his recent accomplishments, it is worth noting that some of his activities from the freewheeling
1980’s have stood the test of time. Michael’s Mill Bank project created an anchor on Pleasant Street, where one was desperately needed. In addition, his
creation and redevelopment of housing on upper floors in the downtown helped create the downtown residential population that is critical to keeping a
downtown healthy.
Exemplary Rail Trail Advocate: Craig Della Penna
Craig Della Penna has helped build support for Rail Trails throughout New England as part of his work with the Rail-to-Trails Conservancy. We
honor him, though, not for his regional work but for what he has done for Northampton. Craig has raised the profile of rail trails in Northampton both
through advocacy and through quiet behind the scenes work. He has also helped spearhead a local and very successful fundraising effort to support rail
trails in Northampton.
Craig and his wife, Kathy Della Penna, have also tied their life together with the Northampton Rail Trail network. They purchased a historic
house, closer to the rail trail than any other house in Northampton, carefully restored it, and made it into the Sugar Maple Trail Side Inn, a bed-and-
breakfast. Helping develop rail trails for local residents and visitors and bringing in rail-trail based tourism are accomplishments to be proud of.
Extraordinary Contributions, Rail Trail: Barry Schechter and Kathy Hibshman
The City of Northampton, through the dedicated work of hundreds of volunteers and contributors, is slowly building a rail trail network. When
the Commonwealth’s spending priorities slowed the development of this effort, Barry Schechter and Kathy Hibshman stepped forward and offered to
help.
First through a generous donation, and then through an even more generous challenge grant, and finally by regularly renewing the challenge
grant, they have provided major financial assistance to our rail trail development network. Equally significant, by crafting their donation as a challenge
grant, Barry and Kathy have sparked a community outreach project, the involvement of dozens and dozens of contributors, and the development of a
private bicycle and pedestrian alliance.
Affordable Housing Development: Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity
The City is proud to have the Pioneer Valley Chapter of Habitat for Humanity as a working partner and would like to honor them on the 15th
Anniversary. In order to fulfill the Vision 2020 goal of creating scattered site affordable housing opportunities across the City, the Office of Planning and
Development has looked to limited developments as a way to meet that goal. When property can be acquired to serve multiple City goals, such as open
space and natural resource protection, there are often opportunities to create affordable housing on those sites as well. Most non-profit agencies and
private developers, however, have found that these projects, with the level of affordability that the City wants, are not cost effective. Habitat has been
able to fill this gap.
To date, our local Habitat chapter has created seven owner-occupied units in the City; one on Cahillane Terrace, two on Pinebrook Curve, two on
Vernon Street and two on Ryan Road. Last fall they broke ground on six more units on Westhampton Road. This summer they hope to start work on six
additional units off of Garfield Avenue in Florence. Because of incredibly dedicated volunteers, the strong leadership of M.J. Adams, our chapter’s first
Executive Director, other funding sources and the sweat equity of the homeowners themselves, Habitat’s housing is affordable for a segment of the
community for which owning a home would otherwise be impossible.
Extraordinary Community Service: Jack Hornor
Jack Hornor has contributed a great deal of time, energy and finances to our community over the years, most recently as Chair of the
Northampton Housing Partnership. Not only did Jack ably guide the activities of the Committee charged with overseeing the City’s affordable housing
efforts, but served, and continues to serve, as the Partnership’s highly energetic representative on the State Hospital Citizen Advisory Committee and the
Office of Planning and Development’s Technical Review Committee.
Jack efforts, energy, and fundraising support across the county are noteworthy and appreciated. Jack does everything from overnight
volunteering at the Hampshire Inter-faith shelter to jump starting fundraising effort for exterior painting of the Grove Street Inn homeless shelter and for
the Men’s Resources Center.
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Wayne Feiden, A.I.C.P., Planning Director