Holyoke Community Profile Regional Planning Spring, 2004 Studio Group Table of Contents 1. Introduction............................................................2 2. Summary of Chapter Content…………………...6 3. History……………………………………………11 4. Population………………………………………...17 5. City Budget and Taxes………………………......23 6. The Economy…………………………………......31 7. Infrastructure………………………………….…38 8. Land Use ……………………………………….....43 9. Housing…………………………………………....55 10. Environment……………………………………...64 11. Crime……………………………………………...74 12. Education………………………………………….81 13. Non-profit involvement in Holyoke………….......91 14. Arts and Culture………………………………….96 Sources………………………………………………..103 Introduction Editor’s Note: the introduction section is based upon a mapping exercise that the Studio Groups conducted in late January 2004; this section was included mainly because it serves as a good guidepost for the later efforts that arose from our research efforts. In this exercise, pairs of students visited the City of Holyoke in order to identify and discern individual neighborhoods and districts. Additionally, students were asked to note important pathways, “edges” or boundaries, and nodes of activity. Landmarks – including historic structures, and newer but notable sites (and sights!) were also located on the maps. After sharing conceptions of neighborhood layouts, the information contained on each map was compiled into the following Community Map for the City of Holyoke. Each district is lettered, and descriptions of each district appear below. Nodes and paths can be identified according to the map’s legend; individual landmarks are pinpointed and labeled on the accompanying map. District A: The Mt. Tom District and East Side Sub-district The boundary of this district encircles Mt. Tom, and south to Easthampton Rd. The East Side sub-district includes the land east of Interstate 91 to the Connecticut River, including the railroad tracks and Route 5 (Northampton St.). The East Side sub-district continues south to the Mountain View Drive. The district is characterized by protected open space with limited public access. Much of the property is State-owned, heavily wooded, and used for recreational purposes. In the east side sub-district, railroad tracks hinder direct access to riverfront. This “transitional area” displays varied and inconsistent land uses, and seems to lack “definition and character.” Access to the riverfront is severely limited here. West of I-91 on the south side of the Mt. Tom district, observers will find some single- family housing, other residential property, and underutilized/vacant buildings associated with the now-defunct Mt. Tom ski area. The district juxtaposes the impressive wooded and rural mountain with more industrial and empty lands alongside the railroad tracks. In addition to the Mt. Tom reservation area, other important features and landmarks in this district and sub-district include the power plant, dinosaur tracks (managed by Trustees of Reservations) and two scenic overlooks (one on the northbound and one on the southbound side of I-91). District B: The Ivy League District and Multi-family Sub-district This district abuts the Mt. Tom districts southeast side, bordered on the north by Mountain View Drive, on the east by the railroad tracks, on the south by Appleton Street. The southernmost portion – that area between Lincoln and Beacon Streets comprises the Multi-family sub-district. This district, also known as “Highland Park” is a mid- to high-income neighborhood distinguished by older, larger single-family houses, many of which appear to be historic. Homes are situated on larger lots, and there are a variety of housing styles (Tudors, Colonials, Victorians) with a high degree of architectural appeal. Mature landscaping, sidewalks, and very limited street parking make this neighborhood more pedestrian- friendly. Street names (Dartmouth, Yale, Harvard, Stanford) connote a particular sense of place in this up-scale neighborhood. The multi-family sub-district includes older housing stock in a denser configuration. More street parking, smaller lot sizes, and smaller setbacks make this sub-district sand out from those areas to the north. This area is referred to as the “Highlands” neighborhood by the City of Holyoke. District C: “Tree Street” and Hampden Street Downtown District This district stretches includes residential and mixed use commercial areas east all the way to Pine Street and south to South Street. A node of activity can be found at the intersection of Rtes. 202 and 5. This district has pockets of vacancy and abandoned buildings, multi-family housing and locally owned businesses serving this middle-income community. Two adjacent cemeteries in the middle of this district serve as an oasis of green space in this tightly packed district. Street naming conventions (Linden, Oak, Beech) create continuity within the district. Housing stock is older, and the district includes some ground-floor commercial/retail in low-rise/mid-rise apartment buildings. District D: City Center District The city’s core appears to be located south east of District C, extending southeast to Holyoke’s canal system, and southwest to Interstate-391. The city center is marked by much higher densities, several high-rise apartment buildings, and a unique mix of vacant, but attractive historic buildings and newly constructed low-rise commercial buildings. Housing is varied here, with several high- rises, a ‘New Urbanist’ Hope VI affordable housing project, compact three- and four- story multi-family houses, and older singe family units on small lots. Some ‘brownstone’ type apartment complexes also exist along Maple Street. Commercially, High Street is a thriving activity center, with a good deal of pedestrian, auto, and transit activity. Visitors to the center city, and High Street in particular, will realize the scale of the Puerto Rican community in Holyoke. Street murals, shops, newspapers, flyers, etc. serve Holyoke’s multi-lingual Hispanic population. Veteran’s Park, located in the middle of this district, is bounded by the now-empty Holyoke Catholic High School, and a variety of one to three or four-story commercial entities (e.g. gas station, bar, furniture store). There seemed to be a good deal of activity associated with ‘passing through’ the park, as it serves as the transfer spot or terminus for several PVTA bus lines, but less recreational activity within the park (of course, this exercise was performed in February, when urban parks are likely under-utilized for recreation). The Holyoke canal system, at the southeast edge of this district, serves as a unique landmark, offering views of the Connecticut River and the Holyoke Gas and Electric Dam. The canal area is home to several former mill buildings, some of which have been adapted to mixed-use complexes. While some buildings themselves have been renovated, the sites surrounding them remain unfriendly to pedestrian or bicycle activity. The immense size of these old mill complexes presents an interesting challenge to redevelopers. District E: Industrial District This district includes those areas south of the second-level canal and southwest to the railroad tracks and Route 391. This district includes “the Flats,” – former mill company housing – as well as several operational and out-of-use mills. Holyoke’s history as a manufacturing center can be seen in this area. The area is heavily trafficked, with little pedestrian activity, a high number of vacant buildings, and few residential buildings. District F: Ingleside District Bounded by the railroad tracks and river to the East, this district extends south to the Holyoke Mall area (exit 15 on Interstate-91) and west to reservoir/Whitney Road area. The Ingleside District is dominated by the Holyoke Mall and the Interstate, which cut through a post-WWII residential area. Thus, housing stock is mainly single-family ranches and contemporary style mid-priced homes on small to medium sized lots. Office and industrial parks and retail strips add thousands of square feet of commercial space to the district. Mobility is limited to auto travel, as there are little to no safe, convenient or efficient transit, walking, or biking options. There is little open space or recreation space in this district; a good deal of land has been paved for arterials and other thoroughfares. District G: Rural Residential District and Holyoke Community College Sub-district This large area in the west side of the City of Holyoke extends to the city’s western boundary (at County Road South) and north to the Southampton Road/Easthampton Road area. Interstate-91 forms the eastern boundary of this district. Interstate-91 forms the eastern boundary of the Holyoke Community College sub-district; the sub-district is bounded on the west by a steep drop off and change in topography leading into the rural residential district. The rural residential neighborhood is characterized by mid-20th century single-family houses on mid-sized lots. Street patterns are rarely gridded, but meander through the wooded region. Residents are served by nodes of commercial activity strategically located in a few key areas of the neighborhood. Lack of sidewalks and very low-density development inhibit pedestrian and bicycle activity. This area does not appear to be served by public transit. The district feels “homogenous” and bland – devoid of higher- density mixed-use areas. Some students noted that this district feels “cut-off” and “disconnected” from Holyoke’s core and those areas on the east side of I-91. It should be noted that this district is a significant watershed and conservation district for the city. Chapter Content History—Holyoke is to a large extent the produce of its geography and its people. Its history is defined as much by its location between the Mount Tom ridge and the Connecticut River as it is by its immigrants and factories. Holyoke’s transformation, from farming community to industrial city was dramatic. This transformation, along with the influx of waves of immigrants is the story of Holyoke. Population—Holyoke’s population peaked at 60,293 in 1920. According to the 2000 census, 39,838 people live in Holyoke, 53% of whom are females.