June 4, 2025

City of Springfield

36 Court Street

Springfield, MA 01103

On or about June 20, 2025 the City of Springfield will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Housing and Community Development Act of 1974,42 U.S.C. §§5301 et seq. funding, as well as HOME Investment Partnerships Program – Title II of the Cranston-Gonzales Affordable Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. §§12901 et seq. funding for the following project:

PROJECT:  CDBG will fund: 1.) Revitalize CDC-Home Retention and Revitalization- Revitalize CDC will target homes in the North End- Memorial Square neighborhoods. Homes will be repaired, modified or rehabilitated after a comprehensive home assessment is completed. 2.) Clearance and Demolition Program - Funding for staff costs associated with the clearance and demolition of blighted properties. 3.) Neighborhood Capacity Building and Revitalization- Funds will be allocated for costs associated with building capacity within existing neighborhood organizations to undertake neighborhood revitalization projects. 4.) Public Infrastructure-Streets/ Sidewalks/Design - Funding will be used to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety, bike share and wayfinding infrastructure; lighting physical repairs and for the replacement/reconstruction of sidewalks and streets in CDBG eligible Neighborhoods. These infrastructure improvements will be targeted to compliment other projects funded with HUD grants and planning initiatives. 5.) Park Reconstruction - CDBG funds will be used to provide upgrades and improvements to parks, splash pads and pools in CDBG and NRSA areas – The Office of Community Development will work with the Park Department and Capital Assets Department to complete park projects. 6.) Graffiti Program, Program costs associated with the removal of graffiti. 7.) CDBG Rehabilitation For Non-Profits – The City will fund non-profit organizations for capital improvements to their facilities.

HOME will fund: 8.) Create Affordable Rental Units- Rental Units Constructed- Affordable rental housing units through new construction, adaptive reuse and acquisition.  The program is administered through the Office of Housing. 9.) Affordable Homeownership-Homeowner Units Constructed - Create affordable homeowner opportunities through new construction and acquisition.  The program is administered through The Office of Housing.

ESTIMATED COST: $2,054,586.79

CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION DETERMINATION

This project is categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58, from the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. A certificate of appropriateness will be issued. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determination for this project is on file at 36 Court Street, Springfield, MA, 01103. Furthermore, said record can be examined and/or copied weekdays from 8:30am-4:30pm.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Office of Disaster Recovery and Compliance at 36 Court Street room 405, Springfield, MA 01103. The City of Springfield will consider all comments received on or before June 19, 2024 prior to authorizing submission of requests for release of funds.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The City of Springfield certifies to HUD that Domenic J. Sarno, in his capacity as Mayor, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD's approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of Springfield to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Springfield’s certification for a period of fifteen (15) days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases:

1. the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Springfield;
2. the City of Springfield has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58;
3. the grant recipient, or other participants in the development process has committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or
4. another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality.

Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58 sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to U.S. Department of HUD, Office of Community Planning and Development, Thomas P. O’Neil Jr. Federal Building, 10 Causeway Street, Boston MA 02222. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Domenic J. Sarno, Mayor City of Springfield

May 29, 2025

City of Springfield

36 Court Street

Springfield, MA, 01103

(413) 750-3229

Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities – EOHLC

100 Cambridge Street, Suite 300

Boston, MA 02114

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Springfield.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about June 16, 2025 the City of Springfield and the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds under Title II of the Cranston-Gonzales Affordable Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. §§202 et seq.  and for the release of Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) funds under Section 8, The Housing Act of 1937, as amended, for the purpose of attaching project-based vouchers to undertake a project known as Merrick Park Apartments for the purpose of rehabilitation, maintenance, and new construction of two (2) buildings. The first building is 195 State Street, Springfield, MA. Currently this is a vacant commercial building which was the Old School Department Headquarters. The plan is to convert the building into 41 residential apartments. The second building adjacent to 195 State Street is 19-25 Maple Street. 19-25 Maple Street is an existing building with 21 residential apartments. Many of these apartments are out of service and not rentable at this time. The development plan here is to do a gut rehab and place all units back in service. The combined project will total 62 apartments.

Estimated HUD funding: $1,400,000.00

Estimated Total Project Cost: $37,667,642.00

Project location: 195 State Street and 19-25 Maple Street, Springfield MA 01103

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The City of Springfield and EOHLC has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment.  Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required.  Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at 36 Court Street Room 405, Springfield, MA 01103 and may be examined or copied weekdays 8:30 A.M to 4:30 P.M. and at EOHLC, Bureau of Rental Assistance, 100 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114 and may be examined or copied weekdays from 9am to 4pm.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Department of Technical Assistance and Compliance or to Dan Tobyne for EOHLC (dan.tobyne@mass.gov) at its address above.  All comments received by June 15, 2025 will be considered by the City of Springfield and EOHLC prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The City of Springfield certifies to HUD that Domenic J. Sarno in his capacity as Mayor and The Commonwealth of MA acting through EOHLC certifies to HUD that Catherine Racer is in her capacity as Certifying Officer, consent to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied.  HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of Springfield to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Springfield and EOHLC’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Springfield; (b) the City of Springfield has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality.  Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to U.S. Department of HUD, Office of Community Planning and Development, Thomas P. O’Neil Jr. Federal Building at 10 Causeway Street, Boston, MA 02222 or submitted via email to CPDRROFBOS@hud.gov.  Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Domenic J. Sarno, Mayor

City of Springfield

Catherine Racer, Undersecretary

EOHLC