US Rep. James McGovern praises redevelopment efforts in Northampton
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NORTHAMPTON - If U.S. Rep. James McGovern gets his way, federal money will soon be on its way to help a pair of the city's most important redevelopment projects move forward.
In a swing through Northampton Monday morning, the Worcester Democrat, who hopes to be the city's next representative to Congress, threw his support behind redevelopment projects under way at the Three-County Fairgrounds and at the former state hospital.
"I commend you for your foresight," said McGovern after hearing from officials about the nearly $50 million effort to remake the fairgrounds. "This is a really good project."
The congressman told Mayor David J. Narkewicz, regional economic development leaders and several members of a special local committee pitching the fairgrounds project that he likes the way it intends to take an existing use and build on it, expanding tourism and adding jobs in the process.
When complete, the project will infuse $38 million in direct spending into the economy and create 577 full- and part-time jobs, according to a recent analysis.
"This is just the kind of project that complements this area," said McGovern. "This belongs here."
The congressman also toured Village Hill Northampton, where 126 acres of former state hospital grounds are being remade into a mix of commercial space and more than 300 affordable and market-rate housing units. He spent time with MassDevelopment officials and visited VCA Inc., the development's first commercial tenant.
"He was very much impressed with what was already happening up there," said Narkewicz.
In addition to these high-profile projects, the mayor also gave McGovern a list of other projects that the city could use some financial help on.
"It's important for these things to be on his radar screen so he can be an advocate for funds," said Narkewicz.
McGovern, who currently represents the 3rd District in Central and Southeastern Massachusetts, was careful to note that he doesn't yet serve Northampton, despite several visits here since learning the city may soon fall under his jurisdiction.
"Technically, I'm not your representative yet," he said. "But I want to hit the ground running."
The state last year drew a new congressional map that reduced the number of Massachusetts U.S. House seats from 10 to nine because of the state's slow population growth.
McGovern is running for re-election to the new 2nd District this November, and will be heavily favored to succeed longtime Congressman John Olver, D-Amherst, who is retiring at the end of his term this year. The new district extends west from Worcester to Northampton and includes Amherst, Hadley, Hatfield and Belchertown.
McGovern said he intends to reach out to U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, who for years has represented Northampton, to get up to speed on efforts being made at the federal level to attract funding for the fairgrounds project. He suspects the two senior Congressmen can work "jointly on figuring out ways to get some money."
The fairgrounds project is slated to cost $49.6 million, spread over many years and to be built in four phases, said Suzanne Beck, executive director of the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce.
Highlights of project
Beck gave a presentation to McGovern Monday on behalf of the Three-County Redevelopment Corp., which is overseeing the project in partnership with the city, the chamber and the Hampshire, Hampden and Franklin Agricultural Society.
The first of those phases, completed last summer for $3.9 million, involved construction of three 100-stall horse barns to replace the old stable facilities on Cross Path Road.
The second phase includes an 80,000-square-foot exhibition hall, engineering and infrastructure work, including on- and off-site storm water drainage, road and sidewalk improvements.
In addition to raising its own money, the redevelopment effort has landed a combination of federal and state money in the last few years.
McGovern is among the most powerful Democrats in Congress, serving as the ranking member of his party on the Rules Committee and as a member of the House Agriculture Committee, primarily because of his interest in addressing hunger issues.
Chad Cain can be reached at ccain@gazettenet.com.
