Northampton hosts groundbreaking for Prospect Place housing

by Ryan Feyre
Sep 20, 2024

NORTHAMPTON — A project that promises 60 family housing units at the former nursing home site on 737 Bridge Rd. is one step closer to reality after representatives from the city, region and state gathered on Sept. 18 to celebrate the project’s groundbreaking.

The ceremony featured many speakers who expressed jubilation for the housing project including Northampton Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra, state Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), state Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa (D-Northampton), state Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus and Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper.

“The city is absolutely thrilled to be able to celebrate with Valley Community Development, another affordable housing development in Northampton,” said Sciarra in her remarks. “This one here on Bridge Road will transform a previously blighted property, which for years the community has wished for something positive to happen, and to take shape right here. And now, that will be realized with beautiful family housing.”

According to Sciarra, the city was able to support the $25 million project with a total of $1 million from Community Preservation Act funds, Community Development Block Grant funds and by utilizing short-term rental fees.

Those funds helped Valley CDC leverage a total of $24 million of federal and state money for the project.

“We are so incredibly grateful to Valley CDC,” Sciarra said. “They are a vital organization in our community for building and managing subsidized rental units, which provide unbelievably needed housing and services for those who need our support.”

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