Northampton awarded $2.8 million for downtown infrastructure as part of Pioneer Valley economic investment

Northampton will receive $2.8 million from a MassWorks grant to upgrade infrastructure in downtown as part of a $56 million state investment in the Pioneer Valley for economic development and housing. The funding will support the 33 King Street redevelopment project, which will add 91 units of affordable and mixed-income housing and commercial retail space on a vacant property near downtown's center.

The grant will pay for water and sewer line replacement, new stormwater infrastructure, streetscape improvements including sidewalks and bike lanes, and upgrades to public utilities and roadways needed for the project. Valley CDC and The Community Builders will develop the site as two buildings with shared amenities, parking, green space and bike access. The 52,000-square-foot Valley CDC building will occupy the rear of the property with apartments, while The Community Builders' 62,000-square-foot building at the front will include apartments and ground-floor retail space.

Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra said the grant is essential because the city's water and sewer pipes exceed 100 years old and replacement is extremely costly. "To have that much life right there and to be able to replace that infrastructure and to build out some of the other infrastructure that's really important to the city is a wonderful opportunity," Sciarra said.

Northampton Director of Planning and Sustainability Carolyn Misch noted that without state funding, the cost of supporting infrastructure alongside new housing construction would make development projects difficult. The grant helps the city maintain sound infrastructure downtown while accommodating the housing demand.

Gov. Maura Healey announced the 2027 Community One Stop for Growth awards on October 1, distributing 89 awards across 42 cities and towns in the Pioneer Valley. The program consolidates 14 grant programs aimed at creating housing, strengthening downtowns and supporting economic growth.

Northampton will also receive $40,000 to support creation of a Business Improvement District to provide consistent funding for downtown services, marketing and events. The city's BID dissolved in 2014 and has been replaced informally by the Downtown Northampton Association. Alan Wolf, the city's Chief of Staff and Head of Economic Development, said the plan is to reform the association into the formally established BID, giving it a budget for the first time.

A third grant of $50,000 will support the Vacant Storefront Program, offering refundable tax credits to encourage new and expanding businesses to occupy long-vacant storefronts downtown.