Smith works with residents on engineering building realities
Darry Madden
Issue date: 10/21/04 Section: News
Smith's new engineering and molecular science building, tentatively scheduled for construction in 2006, is moving forward amidst some protest. The building, a $65 million project, will require the demolition of 26 affordable housing units as well as the former Smith College bookstore.
In response to concerns from residents, the college has made significant contributions in the relocation process for the tenants of 16, 20 and 22 Belmont Avenue, and 22 Arnold Avenue. These include a $3 million fund to assist developers of affordable housing into which the tenants could choose to move. Should this housing not be ready at the time of demolition, the college has agreed to move residents into Smith rental properties. The college has also pledged, on a case-by-case basis, to pay for some of the expenses of moving, such as having electricity turned on, according to Smith Executive Director of Public Affairs Laurie Fenlason.
According to Fenlason, college officials, city officials, residents of the Green Street area and affordable housing advocates formed an Ad Hoc committee last spring. The group worked to determine design principles for the new building that would best integrate it into the Green Street and West Street area. The group also sought to consider the college's future expansion and construction of more science buildings.
The group's recommendations include that the college reduce the number of buildings it plans to demolish, that it preserve a mix of commercial and residential buildings, particularly along West Street, that the engineering building be designed to fit well with its surroundings, and that the college negotiate with the mayor so that the city of Northampton "achieve[s] no net loss in taxable property," according to the August 31 edition of the Daily Hampshire Gazette.
The Coalition for Affordable Northampton Neighborhoods (CANN) staged a protest at a meeting held last month for residents and businesses of the area. As reported by the Springfield Republican, Rachel Rybaczuk, a CANN leader and resident of 21 Belmont, said, "Our need as a community if to feel secure in where we live."
CANN's stated mission is to "support, preserve and protect neighborhoods...particularly those that include affordable housing ... in and close to downtown [Northampton]."
Construction of the building would begin in 2006, at the earliest. The architectural firm Bohlin-Cywinski-Jackson has been hired, but designs do not yet exist for the building. Of the $65 million needed for construction, between $12 million and $13 million has been raised. The bulk of that comes from a $10 million grant from the Ford Motor Company, which committed to the project three years ago, according to Sandy Ducett from the Office of Advancement.
Fundraising efforts will be directed at Smith alumnae but also at a broader corporate audience.
"This [project] is really addressing an issue of national significance," said Ducett.
In response to concerns from residents, the college has made significant contributions in the relocation process for the tenants of 16, 20 and 22 Belmont Avenue, and 22 Arnold Avenue. These include a $3 million fund to assist developers of affordable housing into which the tenants could choose to move. Should this housing not be ready at the time of demolition, the college has agreed to move residents into Smith rental properties. The college has also pledged, on a case-by-case basis, to pay for some of the expenses of moving, such as having electricity turned on, according to Smith Executive Director of Public Affairs Laurie Fenlason.
According to Fenlason, college officials, city officials, residents of the Green Street area and affordable housing advocates formed an Ad Hoc committee last spring. The group worked to determine design principles for the new building that would best integrate it into the Green Street and West Street area. The group also sought to consider the college's future expansion and construction of more science buildings.
The group's recommendations include that the college reduce the number of buildings it plans to demolish, that it preserve a mix of commercial and residential buildings, particularly along West Street, that the engineering building be designed to fit well with its surroundings, and that the college negotiate with the mayor so that the city of Northampton "achieve[s] no net loss in taxable property," according to the August 31 edition of the Daily Hampshire Gazette.
The Coalition for Affordable Northampton Neighborhoods (CANN) staged a protest at a meeting held last month for residents and businesses of the area. As reported by the Springfield Republican, Rachel Rybaczuk, a CANN leader and resident of 21 Belmont, said, "Our need as a community if to feel secure in where we live."
CANN's stated mission is to "support, preserve and protect neighborhoods...particularly those that include affordable housing ... in and close to downtown [Northampton]."
Construction of the building would begin in 2006, at the earliest. The architectural firm Bohlin-Cywinski-Jackson has been hired, but designs do not yet exist for the building. Of the $65 million needed for construction, between $12 million and $13 million has been raised. The bulk of that comes from a $10 million grant from the Ford Motor Company, which committed to the project three years ago, according to Sandy Ducett from the Office of Advancement.
Fundraising efforts will be directed at Smith alumnae but also at a broader corporate audience.
"This [project] is really addressing an issue of national significance," said Ducett.