Staff outlines downtown housing projects: 33 King RFQ, Craft Ave supportive housing and 71-unit Elm Street proposal

City staff and partnership members on Feb. 3 reviewed several active and upcoming housing projects in Northampton, including a planned RFQ for 33 King Street, Valley CDC’s Craft Avenue supportive housing, and a 71-unit market-rate proposal for the Elm Street/St. Mary’s parking lot.

Keith (staff) said an RFQ for 33 King Street — the former Hall of Records across from Hotel Northampton — should be issued by the end of the month and will allow developers more time to evaluate the site. "So kind of right in the center of town. It'll be really good for, you know, some housing, some mixed use," staff said.

Valley CDC’s Craft Avenue project is in design and would convert a city parking lot into housing targeted to people who are recently homeless and who need wraparound services, staff said. Valley CDC is also working on Laurel Street and Prospect Place (Bridge Road) projects; members noted these projects use density tools such as Chapter 40R to increase affordable units.

Melissa Fowler said the Elm Street project (public records list the site as 3 Elm Street; Sunwood Builders markets it as 10 State Street) will have a public hearing on Feb. 13. The current phase would renovate the rectory for about six units and build additional structures on the existing parking lot for the remainder of the 71 units; the developer describes the phase as all market-rate units. Staff said standard requirements for chargers and conduits for future electric vehicle infrastructure are typically required during technical review.

No formal votes were taken on these projects at the meeting; members were advised where public records and staff reports will be posted for review in advance of the Elm Street hearing.