Those in attendance for the ceremonial groundbreaking included, State Senator Adam Gomez, State Representatives Bud Williams and Orlando Ramos, former State Representative Ben Swan, City Council Jesse Lederman, Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood, Fire Commissioner BJ Calvi, Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris, Community Police Hearing Board Commissioner Robert ‘Cee’ Jackson, Bay Area Neighborhood Council President Gwendolyn Smith, Congressional Aide Kareem Kibodya from Congressman Richard Neal’s Office, Executive Director for MassHousing Chrystal Kornegay, CEO for Michaels Development John O’Donnell, and others.
Located at 15 Girard Ave, 161 of the 201 apartments at Bergen Circle are contained in a seven-story, steel-framed building, and the remaining 40 apartments are contained in seven, two-story, wood-frame townhomes. There are 89 one-bedroom apartments, 72 two-bedroom apartments, 20 three-bedroom apartments and 20 four-bedroom apartments.
Of the 201 units, 170 are supported by federal project-based housing vouchers, with 118 of the units restricted to households earning up to 50 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) and 52 units restricted to households earning up to 80 percent of AMI. The remaining 31 apartments are rented at market rates. The Area Median Income for Springfield is $77,200 for a household of four.
Mayor Sarno states, “I want to thank MassHousing and the Michaels Development Organization which will undertake the significant improvements to the property for their continued belief and investment in our Springfield. My administration is committed to utilizing any and all means to boost our communities housing stock. This development checks every mark for our low and moderate-income residents and market rate housing. I also cannot thank MassHousing Executive Director Chrystal Kornegay and the Baker-Polito Administration for their continued commitment and dedication to our Springfield. They have been a great partner working with us on behalf of our residents.”
