Michaels And Masshousing Break Ground At Bergen Circle
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In Honor of the $21.2 million Rehabilitation Project, a Special Ceremony Took Place to Celebrate the Next Step in the Community’s Revitalization
The Michaels Organization in partnership with MassHousing made significant strides towards the rehabilitation of Bergen Circle yesterday with a special groundbreaking ceremony. The two organizations were joined alongside local dignitaries, community leaders and residents to celebrate this important milestone in creating long-term affordable housing solutions to those in Springfield, Massachusetts.
People gathered at the 201-unit Bergen Circle housing community in Springfield to commemorate the day with speeches and plans for the future. After being selected by MassHousing in May to take over ownership and management of Bergen Circle, Michaels has already made incredible strides in improving the conditions of the property.
“At Michaels, we believe your story begins at home,” said John O’Donnell, CEO of Michaels. “It’s inspiring to see the passion and creativity that comes out of a partnership like the one Michaels has with MassHousing. Together, we’re going to provide the residents of Bergen Circle with a home that will serve as a launching pad for the next steps in their lives.”
MassHousing is providing Michaels Development with a $13.3 million construction and permanent loan and a $7.9 million repair loan. The MassHousing financing will allow Michaels Development to undertake significant improvements to the property, including building envelope repairs and water infiltration remediation; the installation of new windows, flooring and appliances; kitchen, bathroom, and HVAC upgrades; and replacing sanitary and water risers on the midrise building.
"I want to thank MassHousing and The Michaels Organization, which will undertake the significant improvements to the property, for their continued belief and investment in our Springfield,” said Mayor Domenic Sarno. “My administration is committed to utilizing any and all means to boost our community's housing stock. This development checks every mark for our low- and moderate-income residents and market rate housing.”
After the groundbreaking, Michaels has plans to get started with extensive renovations immediately. During the rehabilitation process, residents will not be displaced from their homes but moved to a newly renovated unit at the property while their own apartment is under construction. 161 of the 201 apartments at Bergen Circle are contained in a seven-story, steel-framed building, and the remaining 40 apartments are contained in seven, two-story, wood-frame townhomes.
The rehabilitation is predicted to take 18 months to complete and when finished will offer residents across a spectrum of incomes affordable housing that is both safe and sustainable.
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