An almost $20 million project is set to start next month to rehab a rundown apartment complex in Springfield, Massachusetts and preserve what officials say is an important part of the city’s affordable housing stock.
City and state officials participated Wednesday in a ceremonial groundbreaking at the Bergen Circle housing complex in Springfield’s McKnight neighborhood as several tenants looked on and later said they hope the new owners make long needed improvements to apartments they said are vermin-infested.
"Come inside my house and look at all the holes, and the rats, and the roaches, and I don't like that," said Lola Caldwell, who has lived at Bergen Circle for 30 years.
" ( The new owners) just took over, so I understand by giving them a chance to fix the place up," she said.
In January 2019, a water pipe broke, forcing the tenants to leave their homes for temporary shelter in a nearby elementary school.
Earlier this year, the New Jersey-based Michaels Organization took ownership of the property. In April, MassHousing awarded the company financing for the improvement project.
In addition to making permanent repairs from the water damage, the façade, windows, and flooring will be replaced. Each apartment will get new appliances, kitchens, and bathrooms. The heating and cooling systems will be upgraded.
The work is expected to take 18-20 months to complete, according to Jed Henderson of the Michaels Organization.
"We are looking to improve the lives of the families that reside in Bergen," Henderson said.
Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno said the project is a welcome announcement.
"Stable housing is a key to stable neighborhoods," Sarno said.
Bergen Circle was built in 1974. There are 161 apartments in a seven-story building and 40 apartments in seven two-story townhouses.
Rents for 170 of the apartments are subsidized by federal housing vouchers.
State Rep. Bud Williams said it is vital to save housing for low-income people as prices on the open market continue to climb.
" So certainly this goes a long way in keeping affordability," Williams said. "Remember when people get vouchers here, you can not raise the rent. So they are very important and hopefully we can do more of these because it has been a long time coming."
A study released earlier this year by the Donahue Institute said a housing shortage in greater Springfield is increasingly putting the cost of housing out of reach especially for minorities.
