RiverMills Project
The U.S. EPA awarded the City of Chicopee another brownfield clean up grant (2013 round) for the remediation of Regulated and Hazardous Building Materials in the old Uniroyal Administration Building, preparing it for reuse or demolition. In 2012, the U.S. EPA awarded the City of Chicopee 4 brownfield grants, 3 for remediation of hazardous building materials for Uniroyal Buildings 33, 7 and 42 in order to prepare them for demolition. Each grant is for $200,000 and requires a city matching share of 20%. The city will demolish most of Buildings 7, 33 and 42 as part of the remediation project, due to the danger of attempting abatement in those severely decayed structures. A contract has been executed with Costello Dismantling of West Wareham, Massachusetts, and work on these areas will commence in December 2013.
As of January 28, 2014, the RiverMills at Chicopee Falls Project has progressed to the point where all demolition and clean up planned for Facemate has been completed.
On April 8, 2013, local officials hosted federal and state officials for the groundbreaking of the new RiverMills Center, a 21,000 square foot senior center on 1 of 3 former Facemate parcels. Among the officials present were:
On April 8, 2013, local officials hosted federal and state officials for the groundbreaking of the new RiverMills Center, a 21,000 square foot senior center on 1 of 3 former Facemate parcels. Among the officials present were:
- Assistant Secretary for Gateway Cities Jen Murphy
- City councilors
- City officials
- Massachusetts Councils on Aging Executive Director David Stevens
- Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Kenneth Kimmell
- Region 1 Administrators for the United States Environmental Protection Agency (Curt Spalding) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (Barbara G. Fields)
- Several local legislators
This photo shows the rail line along the front of the former Facemate property, bordering West Main Street, after removal of hazardous soil and debris, replacement with clean fill and hydro seeding.
Cupola Installed
In July, 2013, a traditional "topping out" ceremony was held to commemorate the completion of all structural steel. The resident bald eagle attended both ceremonies.
On November 21, 2013, the cupola was installed at the RiverMills center.
In July, 2013, a traditional "topping out" ceremony was held to commemorate the completion of all structural steel. The resident bald eagle attended both ceremonies.
On November 21, 2013, the cupola was installed at the RiverMills center.
Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design
RiverMills Center is the city's first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) structure, targeting Silver Certification. LEED is a voluntary, consensus-based program that provides third-party verification of green buildings that demonstrate:
Mayor Bissonnette stated, "We are building a center to serve the needs of the city's population and we are building it green and sustainable to set a high standard for the redevelopment of the Uniroyal and Facemate sites. We are determined to see RiverMills Center be the first LEED Silver certified building in Chicopee." Construction is expected to take 14 months and will be completed by Fontaine Brothers, Inc. of Springfield, MA. Strategic Building Solutions (SBS) of Agawam, MA is serving as the Owner's Project Manager.
Building Design
The center is designed as a split level structure melding with the site's challenging topography. The design is a contemporary building reminiscent of Chicopee Falls' manufacturing history yet open, inviting and welcoming. Several fixtures from the Facemate buildings have been incorporated into the design, including 2 fire doors and several of the columns from Facemate Number 1.
RiverMills Center is the city's first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) structure, targeting Silver Certification. LEED is a voluntary, consensus-based program that provides third-party verification of green buildings that demonstrate:
- Environmental stewardship
- Innovation
- Leadership
- Social responsibility
Mayor Bissonnette stated, "We are building a center to serve the needs of the city's population and we are building it green and sustainable to set a high standard for the redevelopment of the Uniroyal and Facemate sites. We are determined to see RiverMills Center be the first LEED Silver certified building in Chicopee." Construction is expected to take 14 months and will be completed by Fontaine Brothers, Inc. of Springfield, MA. Strategic Building Solutions (SBS) of Agawam, MA is serving as the Owner's Project Manager.
Building Design
The center is designed as a split level structure melding with the site's challenging topography. The design is a contemporary building reminiscent of Chicopee Falls' manufacturing history yet open, inviting and welcoming. Several fixtures from the Facemate buildings have been incorporated into the design, including 2 fire doors and several of the columns from Facemate Number 1.
The building's exterior is composed of traditional brick and concrete composite panels with a re-created tower serving as the front entrance's focal point. Large windows, mimicking the old Facemate mills will wrap the building. The center will have a large multi-purpose room capable of accommodating up to 300 people. Other programmed spaces include:
- A billiard room
- A café
- A commercial kitchen
- A fitness center
- A game room
- A library
- A TV lounge
- An art studio
- An exercise studio
- Complete wireless computer access
- Health services
- Multiple lounges
These are in addition to further amenities that were identified by the design team as crucial offerings unique to Chicopee's Senior Center.
Accessibility
The center will be accessible at both levels, with garden level parking for 240 vehicles. To the east, RiverMills Drive will serve as the center's main entrance while providing public access to future development at the adjacent redevelopment parcel and access to the Chicopee RiverWalk, planned to terminate at the Center.
The RiverWalk, once completed, will provide a pedestrian and bicycle link between Chicopee Falls and Chicopee Center along the old rail line.
Accessibility
The center will be accessible at both levels, with garden level parking for 240 vehicles. To the east, RiverMills Drive will serve as the center's main entrance while providing public access to future development at the adjacent redevelopment parcel and access to the Chicopee RiverWalk, planned to terminate at the Center.
The RiverWalk, once completed, will provide a pedestrian and bicycle link between Chicopee Falls and Chicopee Center along the old rail line.
Building Number 1 is now gone and the footprint is filled with crushed and processed demolition debris. The parcel where Building Number 1 once was, as well as the southern parcel (the site of the Baskin Building) will be offered to the private redevelopment market sometime in 2014. In October, 2013 the city issued a request for letters of interest to gauge interest in and proposed uses for these parcels prior to undertaking disposition of the properties.
This photograph is looking at Building Number 1, now gone and the footprint filled with crushed and processed demolition debris.
Project Split Into 2 Projects
At their board meeting in April, 2012, MassDev approved the city's request to "split" the RiverMills project into 2 priority projects and agreed to fund an additional $2 million dollars for assessment and remediation of hazardous materials. The city has used all available MassDev funding for Facemate.
The city has hired the BETA group as environmental and structural consultant in order to provide city officials with the necessary information to ensure Michelin completes the clean up as required by law on the former Uniroyal site, and to assess and lead the remediation of the ground contamination on the Facemate portion of the site.
At their board meeting in April, 2012, MassDev approved the city's request to "split" the RiverMills project into 2 priority projects and agreed to fund an additional $2 million dollars for assessment and remediation of hazardous materials. The city has used all available MassDev funding for Facemate.
The city has hired the BETA group as environmental and structural consultant in order to provide city officials with the necessary information to ensure Michelin completes the clean up as required by law on the former Uniroyal site, and to assess and lead the remediation of the ground contamination on the Facemate portion of the site.
Uniroyal Buildings
Buildings 1-6 on the Uniroyal site have been removed to the foundations. In September, 2012 the city caused the foundations to be broken up to enable access to the areas under the slabs for environmental assessment and, if necessary, remediation. Testing has revealed some issues covered by the MCP and Michelin's contractor is responding. GZA (Michelin's Abatement Contractor) has filed work plans with the Environmental Protection Agency for a number of other items to be done in 2014, including clean up of some conduits, tunnels and drains and PCB contaminated building components. Michelin's clean up will proceed until the property has been cleaned to the extent necessary to permit the redevelopment of the Uniroyal property.
Buildings 1-6 on the Uniroyal site have been removed to the foundations. In September, 2012 the city caused the foundations to be broken up to enable access to the areas under the slabs for environmental assessment and, if necessary, remediation. Testing has revealed some issues covered by the MCP and Michelin's contractor is responding. GZA (Michelin's Abatement Contractor) has filed work plans with the Environmental Protection Agency for a number of other items to be done in 2014, including clean up of some conduits, tunnels and drains and PCB contaminated building components. Michelin's clean up will proceed until the property has been cleaned to the extent necessary to permit the redevelopment of the Uniroyal property.
The picture shows Building Number 7, which will be abated and demolished this winter and early spring.
BETA coordinated a supplemental site investigation on the Uniroyal buildings to supplement the environmental analysis and regulated building materials survey prepared by CDW. This document provided the starting point for preparation of bid documents for the removal of the regulated building materials. The survey report forms the basis for development of hazardous building material abatement and demolition specifications. This process is complicated by the large proportion of the site which remains under dangerous and decaying buildings. Funding for this survey was through a $50,000 grant from the U.S. EPA administered by the Massachusetts DEP. The EPA grants awarded in May 2012 will be used to abate the hazardous building elements identified by this survey as part of the demolition.
Project Added to Brownfield Support Team
In October 2010 the RiverMills at Chicopee Falls Redevelopment Project received a priority position when Lt. Governor Timothy Murray's Brownfield Support Team announced that RiverMills had been added to the team's project list. The Brownfield Support Team is a multi-department, multi-jurisdictional group consisting of, among others:
Project Added to Brownfield Support Team
In October 2010 the RiverMills at Chicopee Falls Redevelopment Project received a priority position when Lt. Governor Timothy Murray's Brownfield Support Team announced that RiverMills had been added to the team's project list. The Brownfield Support Team is a multi-department, multi-jurisdictional group consisting of, among others:
- Attorney General
- Department of Environmental Protection
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Lieutenant Governor
- Massachusetts Development
- Massachusetts Highway
- Massachusetts Historic Commission
- Numerous City of Chicopee departments
RiverWalk
The city arranged with The Iron Horse Preservation Society to remove rails and a number of railroad ties from the rail spur running from Grape Street to the former Uniroyal property and then within the former Uniroyal and Facemate properties. The rail and tie removal is complete and IHPS has spread processed material to provide a temporary surface suitable for walking.
The city arranged with The Iron Horse Preservation Society to remove rails and a number of railroad ties from the rail spur running from Grape Street to the former Uniroyal property and then within the former Uniroyal and Facemate properties. The rail and tie removal is complete and IHPS has spread processed material to provide a temporary surface suitable for walking.
The photo shows the condition of the RiverWalk near Uniroyal as of February 1, 2012.
Redesign/Development
The city has hired Milone and MacBroom of Springfield to design the remainder of the RiverWalk and its connections to Szot Park, the Chicopee Public Library and at Ellerton Street. The TIP (Transportation Improvement Plan) for the Pioneer Valley, including Chicopee, has $1.6 million dollars earmarked for construction. This will connect the former Uniroyal property with downtown Chicopee via a beautiful and sustainable walking/biking trail along the Chicopee River. The city expects to reuse a large amount of granite from the Uniroyal and Facemate sites to be part of the slope stabilization portion of the RiverWalk Phase II.
At their August 2012 meeting, the Chicopee Conservation Commission approved a plan for remediation of invasive species that have taken over portions of the proposed path. That work started in September 2012 and will be ongoing for several years.
The city has hired Milone and MacBroom of Springfield to design the remainder of the RiverWalk and its connections to Szot Park, the Chicopee Public Library and at Ellerton Street. The TIP (Transportation Improvement Plan) for the Pioneer Valley, including Chicopee, has $1.6 million dollars earmarked for construction. This will connect the former Uniroyal property with downtown Chicopee via a beautiful and sustainable walking/biking trail along the Chicopee River. The city expects to reuse a large amount of granite from the Uniroyal and Facemate sites to be part of the slope stabilization portion of the RiverWalk Phase II.
At their August 2012 meeting, the Chicopee Conservation Commission approved a plan for remediation of invasive species that have taken over portions of the proposed path. That work started in September 2012 and will be ongoing for several years.
The city has hired a number of other professional firms to assist in the
redevelopment process. Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. is the Master
Planner. Their final report is available on the documents and forms
section of the Community Development page.
A group of Cornell Graduate students have also completed work on a redevelopment vision available in the documents section. The City of Chicopee thanks Lee Pouliot, Declan Keane, Christian Gruber, Chris Hardy and Chris Horton for their hard work and inspired vision of factory village in the future.
A group of Cornell Graduate students have also completed work on a redevelopment vision available in the documents section. The City of Chicopee thanks Lee Pouliot, Declan Keane, Christian Gruber, Chris Hardy and Chris Horton for their hard work and inspired vision of factory village in the future.