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 owner Erin Fontaine urged commissioners to approve projects that will increase downtown residents and customers, saying, “This city was built to house over 60,000, and yet we hover around 38,000.” Catherine Gabran, director of Lighthouse Holyoke, described how downtown housing and restored venues benefit schools and arts organizations that draw visitors to the city.

Commissioners and applicants also discussed outstanding review steps before some approvals. Applicants said the Victory Theater team and others planned to convene planning, building and fire officials to resolve technical questions about back-wall and alleyway work; planners had moved hearings to April. Commissioners and applicants repeatedly noted that closing and construction timetables were linked to receiving the state credits: if a project misses a round, it could delay or imperil other grant funding tied to the proposed schedule.

For the Victory Theater, the commission voted to issue a letter of support for the January round and then separately voted to issue a letter for the April round. The Rights Block (also referred to as Crafts Block in filings) received letters of support for both the January and April rounds after the commission discussed outstanding planning questions and the need to get applicants before the planning board and other departments. Open Square and the Holyoke Health Center each received commission letters of support for the April round; applicants said there were no substantive changes to those projects since earlier presentations.

Commissioner disclosures and abstentions were recorded. One commissioner disclosed a board position with a local preservation trust that has relationships to some applicants and said she had filed the disclosure with the clerk’s office; several commissioners abstained from votes on projects where they said they had potential conflicts or prior involvement. Mary Nastasi warned commissioners that the Massachusetts Historical Commission had reduced staff and that reviewers would be more stringent about when they accept materials: “They will be much more stringent this time around about when they will accept things,” she said.

Votes at a glance - Victory Theater (1289 Summit St.): Motion to provide a letter of support for the January state historic tax-credit round — approved by roll call. Motion to provide a letter for the April round — approved by roll call. (See actions array for recorded tallies and abstentions.) - Rights Block / Crafts Block (106–120 High St.): Motion to provide a letter of support for the January round — approved (several abstentions recorded). Motion to provide a letter for the April round — approved (several abstentions recorded). - Open Square (project presented by Epsilon Associates): Motion to provide letter of support for the April round — approved. - Holyoke Health Center (245 High St.): Motion to provide letter of support for the April round — approved. - City Hall stained-glass windows / Friends donation: Motion to provide a letter of support (updated) for final funding phases — approved; commissioners noted a Friends group donation and related paperwork to be filed with the clerk.

The commission asked applicants to convene planning, building and fire department staff to answer outstanding technical questions before the planning board hearings and to provide any additional materials the state reviewer requests. Commissioners said staff would circulate the resulting letters during the coming week and noted that failing to secure timely state review could delay project closings and jeopardize other grants or funding commitments.

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