Historic commission approves letters of support for multiple downtown redevelopment projects

The Holyoke Historic Commission voted on letters of support for multiple downtown redevelopment projects on March 25, with commissioners approving requests that supporters said are time-sensitive for upcoming state historic tax-credit rounds.

Commissioners said the letters were needed quickly because state review deadlines and interdependent financing schedules put the projects at risk. Mary Nastasi, a historic tax-credit consultant with Ryan LLC, told the commission that the Victory Theater team needed the commission’s support for the January state tax-credit round and that the earlier vote had not stood: “We were applying for a letter for the January state tax credit round. You had voted to provide that letter. My understanding is that, that vote does not stand.”

The commission’s action cleared letters for both the January and April rounds for several projects. Supporters who spoke during the public-comment period urged quick action. David O’Connor introduced himself as a downtown business owner: “My name is David O’Connor, DJ. I own Mass Surgical Spy across the street.” He said longtime downtown property owners and business operators backed the redevelopment efforts. Realtor and property…