| LONGHILL GARDENS |
| Longhill Gardens Longhill Gardens was a 200+ unit condominium complex on Longhill Street in the Forest Park section now sitting vacant and boarded up. It generated over 800 police calls in 2007. Unfortunately, it has been the scene of murders, the arrest location of murderers and the home address of those who have committed murder. A developer proposes to convert it to 111 units of all low income subsidized units. The developer requests $15 to $20 million in state and federal tax dollars and credits to convert Longhill Gardens into a project. This is a good example of a bad economic decision. Just minutes from Interstate 91, downtown and the riverfront, Longhill Gardens could be developed more lucratively. Springfield has an over abundance of subsidized housing much of it in Forest Park. There is a need in the city for more senior housing and a growing demand for 55+ housing. Why sink $15 to $20 million building unneeded units. The city should have recognized the signs of decline at Longhill Gardens prior to the deterioration. Could the city have avoided condemnation, the relocation cost and the current boarded up eyesore, if a housing plan and strategy were in place and enforced? The "neighborhood" approval for the proposal was actually just a majority of board members from the local civic association meeting on an "emergency" basis. When most residents first heard of the proposal, the decision had been made. Was there a notice in the legal section of the paper, were general members of the civic association solicited for input, was there any attempt to include neighborhood and other Springfield residents in the process. The Mayor approved the proposal on the condition of community input and that condition is not being met. Have there been any court actions in the past that have urged or required Springfield to promote balanced housing? Does balanced housing mean generating housing for all income levels and not creating low income warehouses that promote segregation? Is the City of Homes committed to creating home ownership opportunities instead of creating ghettos? As a resident of Springfield and homeowner in the Forest Park section I am against tax money being given to a development that seems to benefit no one but the developer. The closing of businesses throughout Springfield demonstrate the need to attract citizens at all levels of disposable and discretionary income. The $15 to $20 million dollars would yield much more return to Springfield if it were being used for new construction. Imagine the tax revenue generated from that $15 to $20 million if it were used to construct 60 to 80 new, energy efficient, single family homes. Even if the developer is awarded a lesser amount, it is still a lost opportunity and investment in failure. Wasting money like this is fueling support for the repeal of the State Income Tax. In Springfield, we are wasting not only money, but an opportunity to enhance our city. The Forbes Magazine article may not be accurate about us dying, but decisions like Longhill Gardens are a killer. What can we do: We can send an email to Congressman Richard Neal. Write an email to Governor Deval Patrick. Email Mayor Dom Sarno via his Chief of Staff. Write a letter to the Editor of the Republican via email. Speak your mind Links are provided below for you to email Neal, Patrick, Sarno and the Republican. Whatever is spent on Longhill Gardens is an unneeded waste of state and HUD tax dollars. Springfield and Forest Park already have an abundance of subsidized, low income housing. Decisions like this should be made with real input from residents of the neighborhood and entire city. Springfield Forward collected 350 letters from citizens opposing this proposal. There was never a public hearing on the issue. Who benefits from this proposal besides the developer and CitiBank? Is it too late to develop Longhill Gardens into something other than an all low income project. Why were not more developers contacted and more proposals sought. Will the current proposal yield the highest real estate assessment and generate the most property tax revenue. What impact on property values will this reincarnated project have on the area. Crime stats are down in Forest Park over this time last year. Longhill Gardens closed in December. Is that a coincidence. |
| TAG SALE SATURDAY 10/18 SpringfieldForward will hold a Tag Sale Saturday, 10/18 8am to 3pm Westernview Street |
| Look at the website of a neighborhood group who spoke up about Longhill Gardens SpringfieldForward Website |
| Photo of Longhill Gardens taken this past March. The complex closed in December. Was comdemnation the only option? |
| July photo shows a boarded up Longhill Gardens in state of detereoration. Who is responsible for upkeep? |
| Longhill Gardens Revisited was videoed at the site this past spring. Some of that trash has been removed. |
| Read about economic decline in Springfield. Decisions like developing Longhill Gardens into a project do nothing to enhance the city or promote economic development. |
UPDATE:
This photo was taken in July, 2008.
The site has since seen some cleaning
up. For months since the closure in
December, 2007 Longhill Gardens sat in
deplorable shape. As recent as August
18th, Longhill Gardens was littered and
had overgrowth.
Pictures on MassLive Photo page show recent
code violations at Longhill Gardens.
This photo was taken in July, 2008.
The site has since seen some cleaning
up. For months since the closure in
December, 2007 Longhill Gardens sat in
deplorable shape. As recent as August
18th, Longhill Gardens was littered and
had overgrowth.
Pictures on MassLive Photo page show recent
code violations at Longhill Gardens.
| UPDATE: Longhill Gardens to cost $21.4 MILLION |