23 Laurel Street, Northampton, MA (20 family apartments)
Construction of these 20 family-friendly 1-, 2-, and 3- bedroom apartments began in April 2024 and is expected to finish in April 2025 with apartments being leased in April – July 2025. Marketing for these new apartments is underway.
Lottery Application Deadline: February 1, 2025. Information and lottery applications are available at www.mylaurelstreet.com.
In-Person Information Sessions:
Date: Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Time: 6:30PM
Location:
The Lumber Yard Community Room
256 Pleasant St, (Holyoke St Entrance)
Northampton, MA 01060.
Date: Saturday, January 11, 2025
Time: 1:00PM
Location:
The Forbes Library
20 West St.
Northampton MA 01060
Virtual Information Sessions:
Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2024
& Wednesday, January 8, 2025
Time: 6:00PM
Zoom Link:
bit.ly/LaurelStreetInfoSession
Prospect Place — 737 Bridge Road, Northampton, MA (60 family apartments)
Valley was recently awarded $2.5M in grants from the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Moderate & Low Income Decarbonization Program and the MassHousing Climate Ready Homes Program for the proposed geothermal alternative energy system at Prospect Place. Because of these funding grants, we will convert from existing fossil fuel systems to all-electric systems primarily powered by alternative energy sources. New geothermal will fuel heating, cooling, and hot water, while PV Solar proposed on the roof will support other electricity needs. Alternative energy such as geothermal is the key to keeping rents affordable amidst rising electricity costs and has untapped potential.
Previous to the grant awards, Valley had put a funding application into the Executive Office of Housing & Livable Communities (EOHLC) office for the remaining funds needed for the remaining work at the 737 Bridge Rd site to convert the former nursing home into 60 all affordable apartments. We except to hear back from the State (EOHLC) sometime in December on their decision. If awarded, Valley will be proceeding with construction around August 2024 and will expect 13-15 months for construction.
Valley received Major Site Plan approval from the Northampton Planning Board in October 2022. In the same month, the Massachusetts Underutilized Properties Program awarded funds to pay for asbestos removal at the property. This abatement work began in January 2023.
Design work continues to evolve and is focused on integrating neighbor comments, producing highly livable apartments for families, and creating a near-zero net energy property that eliminates the use of fossil fuels.
With help from Saloomey Construction and WellSpring Geothermal, Valley recently drilled a test well to assess the site for future geothermal energy. Geothermal is an excellent passive renewable energy source that involves using the natural ground temperature for heating & cooling. If the test well provides positive results, future wells would go down 400 feet into the ground. Geothermal could help us operate affordable housing for years to come!
