Page 13 - BusinessWest January 10, 2022

of both the headquarters and an adja- cent building on the site.
“We are all looking forward to get- ting the Uniroyal property back on the tax rolls,” Vieau said. “It’s been a long time coming, and we are super excited about it.”
Right now Michelin, which owns the Uniroyal brand, is completing $1.5 mil- lion in cleanup efforts at the site. Once that’s done, the mayor explained, the city will launch a request for proposals in search of prospective buyers of the property.
Because Chicopee represents
a good number of manufacturers, Copoulos believes this gives the city
an advantage in the years ahead. She noted that economists have pointed out that manufacturing industries have come back to pre-COVID levels while more customer-facing industries con- tinue to have challenges.
“As a community with so many manufacturers, this can potentially give us a leg up,” she said. “Supply- chain issues will make domestic manu- facturing more of a priority, and that
“I’m enthusiastic about the development while also reminding myself to be patient because big projects like this take time.”
makes me hopeful about prospects for Chicopee.”
The spring will also mark the begin- ning of construction for the new head- quarters of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. After many years in Hatfield, the Food Bank purchased 16.5 acres in the Chicopee River Industrial Park in order to expand its warehouse in a more environmentally friendly building. Selecting Chicopee was a strategic decision on a couple of fronts. The location on Carew and East Main streets gives the Food Bank easy access to major highways, and because the city is in Hampden County, where the issue of hunger and food insecurity are more severe, the organization is in a better position to address the problem.
“The Food Bank location in Chi- copee will be at the hub of address- ing food insecurity in Western Mass.,” Vieau said.
Anticipation is also growing for the former Facemate property in Chicopee Center. Final plans and permits are being approved for a 54,000-square- foot, multi-sport facility; a 102-unit residential building; and renovation
of the former Baskin building into a 10,000-square-foot restaurant and brewery, where Loophole Brewing will locate.
Both Vieau and Copoulos praised Singing Bridge LLC, a local developer, for leading the project because it shows
a commitment to the success of Chi- copee. For Copoulos, completion of the project can’t arrive soon enough.
“I’m enthusiastic about the develop- ment while also reminding myself to be patient because big projects like this take time,” she said.
Vieau noted in particular the 102 units of housing that will be added to Chicopee Center.
“Many people want to stay in Chi- copee but are looking for empty-nest housing,” he said. “Realtors have told me if more condominiums were on the market, they could immediately sell them.”
Julie Copoulos is enthusiastic about progress on development at the former Uniroyal and Facemate sites, among others.
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