Northampton Planning Board approves 91 new affordable homes at 33 King St.

NORTHAMPTON — Concluding a public hearing that spanned two separate meetings within a month, the Planning Board voted unanimously Thursday to approve a special permit for the construction of 91 affordable housing units downtown at the former Registry of Deeds site on King Street.

The board approved the project under the conditions that the applicant make improvements to the crosswalk along King Street, extending its curb, and provide asphalt and lighting certifications from the state.

“We hear a lot, when looking at other projects, about the need for affordable housing in Northampton,” Planning Board Chair Janna White said. “A lot of what gets built is not affordable housing because it’s hard to do, so it’s really wonderful to see this coming in. It’s a badly needed resource and a great location for it.”

Designers and architects working with co-developers Valley Community Development (Valley CDC) and The Community Builders (TCB) first presented plans to build two, five-story buildings on the 1.46-acre downtown property at 33 King St. at a June 11 hearing.

The 62,000-square-foot TCB building will sit at the front of the property on King Street, containing 14 one-bedroom and studio units, 18 two-bedroom units and four three-bedroom units alongside ground-floor commercial space.

The 52,000-square-foot Valley CDC building at the back of the property next to the Norwottuck Rail Trail will be constructed first. It will include a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units, with common space on the ground floor and laundry rooms on the upper floors.

Article by Anthony Cammalleri
Read the full article at the Daily Hampshire Gazette

About Valley Community Development 

Valley Community Development is a nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting communities through affordable housing development, small business assistance, and homeownership programs throughout Hampshire, Hampden, and Franklin counties. Since 1988, Valley has remained steadfast in its mission to create economic opportunity and housing stability for entrepreneurs and residents across the CT River Valley.