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About Urban

What is urban renewal and redevelopment?

The Massachusetts Legislature established the Urban Renewal Program to assist communities to revitalize decadent, substandard or blighted open areas and to encourage sound growth. The Urban Renewal Program provides tools for communities to redevelop these deteriorated and blighted areas -- designated as urban renewal areas -- for residential, recreational, educational, hospital, business, commercial, industrial or other purposes. Redevelopment within designated urban renewal areas must be undertaken in accordance with urban renewal and redevelopment plan which is adopted by the community and approved by the MA Department of Housing and (DHCD). DHCD administers the Urban Renewal Program and approves locally-initiated plans.

What is the purpose of urban renewal and redevelopment?

The Commonwealth has established several purposes for urban renewal and redevelopment plans. They are: . Eliminate decadent, substandard or open blighted areas; . Job creation and retention; . Provision for low and moderate income housing, where needed; . Enhance and encourage private investments; and . Resultant public benefits. A central tenet of urban renewal is that without public actions outlined in the urban renewal plan, proposed redevelopment by the private sector could not occur.

What is an urban renewal & redevelopment plan?

An urban renewal & redevelopment plan describes the focus area, its needs, history, problems and their causes, the strategy for change, goals and objectives, planned uses and activities in the area by the public and private sectors, expected outcomes, and a financial and funding plan. An urban renewal & redevelopment plan must have community support and be developed with community consultation. In short, the urban renewal & redevelopment plan states the vision for the area and the road map to implement the vision.

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What are the benefits or reasons for doing an urban renewal plan?

The urban renewal & redevelopment plan sets forth the goals, strategies and desired development plan and standards for an area. With an approved urban renewal & re- development plan, a can often more easily obtain state or federal funding for identified projects in the plan. There is no automatic source of funding that comes with urban renewal designation. Urban renewal also enables a municipality through its redevelopment authority to acquire and dispose of land in accordance with the urban renewal and redevelopment plan’s goals, desired uses for property and standards for redevelopment and design. Communities, such as Gardner, Greenfield, Holyoke, Lowell, and Westfield are using urban renewal plans to help revitalize their commercial . The private sector also benefits from an urban renewal & redevelopment plan by knowing what the community’s goals and desires are for an area.

What areas are eligible for urban renewal?

Based on an assessment and analysis of existing conditions, the area designated for urban renewal must meet the criteria for open blight; decadent; or substandard as defined in Massachusetts statutes.

What are the elements of an urban renewal & redevelopment plan?

The urban renewal & redevelopment plan addresses existing conditions, area needs, the history of addressing area problems, local objectives, needed public improvements, redevelopment strategy and projects, land acquisition issues, site preparation, redevelopment standards, redeveloper responsibilities, financial plan, public participation and approvals. An urban renewal plan is to be consistent with and further local objectives regarding , improved traffic, public transportation, public utilities, recreational, educational and community facilities and other public improvements. The urban renewal plan is to define anticipated public benefits that will result from public investment in the urban renewal and redevelopment plan.

If a property is in the urban renewal area, does that mean it’s blighted?

No, not all properties in an urban renewal area are blighted. The legal definition of open blight is broad and covers properties that may have had a history of delinquencies, inadequate utilities, challenging subsurface issues including brownfields, high water table or ledge, inadequate transportation facilities and access, or unduly high redevelopment costs due to physical conditions and obstacles which deter private investment. A significant majority of the properties in the urban renewal must be considered open blighted, substandard or decadent.

FAQ on Urban Redevelopment South Hadley Falls 2 of 3 Are there advantages or disadvantages to being in or out of the urban redevelopment district?

At this time, there are no advantages or disadvantages in being within or outside the proposed urban renewal and redevelopment district. The South Hadley Redevelopment Authority is in the midst of the process. As SHRA moves forward it may develop plans recommending re-use and redevelopment of specific properties within the district. SHRA may also develop programs with the Town and others to address issues, such as brownfields or housing rehabilitation for lower-income households. Each program will have its own guidelines and eligibility, depending upon the funding source. There are no automatic benefits, costs, or hardships to property owners, businesses or residents of the district. SHRA will be designating a redevelopment district to target efforts and resources for improvement and enhancement of South Hadley Falls. The overall plan will also require approval by the Planning Board, Select Board and Town Meeting.

Where can I find out more information about urban redevelopment?

The South Hadley Redevelopment Authority’s web site has information the 2012 Vision Plan from the AIA Sustainable Design Assessment Team, which is serving as the foundation for the South Hadley Falls Urban Redevelopment Plan and previous presentations. Go to www.shredevelopment.com to find further information.

How can I participate in the urban redevelopment plan?

Your input and comments are welcomed and needed. Please come to public meetings or send us your comments to the South Hadley Redevelopment Authority, 116 Main Street, South Hadley, MA 01075. SHRA meetings are public and posted on the Town’s web site, http://www.southhadley.org/462/Redevelopment-Authority. Meetings are typically held at the South Hadley Library. The SHRA will also be sponsoring periodic community meetings to gather input on the Redevelopment Plan.

When will the urban renewal & redevelopment plan be complete?

The completion of the Urban Renewal & Redevelopment Plan is targeted for end of 2015.

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