Page 12 - BusinessWest January 8, 2024

“The other need is at the other end of the spectrum, the young people who have grown up in Agawam; they’re young adults out in the work world trying to find housing opportunities so they can stay in Agawam.”
But even the state has come around to the notion that the building needs to be replaced, said Johnson, adding that the MSBA board of directors recently voted to move the project to what’s known as schematic design.
The state would likely pick up $100 million of the total price tag, leaving the community to come up with the rest, he said, noting that a debt-exclusion override — something the town has never before sought from the voters — would likely be needed. And Johnson, like other elected officials, is leaning strongly toward putting the matter on the ballot.
But while the high school is the predominent issue fac- ing the community, there are others, he noted, citing the ongoing work to convert the former HUB Insurance build- ing on Suffield Street into a new police station, as well as continued progress on work to convert the former Tucka- hoe Turf Farm, nearly 300 acres the town has owned for more than 20 years, into passive recreation.
This includes hiking paths, picnic areas, and other facil- ities, he said, noting that, roughly a year ago, town leaders approved the borrowing of nearly $4 million to build a road, repair the dam and culverts on the property, and cre- ate a parking lot.
That work continues, said Johnson, adding that fund- ing has also been received from the state, as well as from Tennessee Gas, which directed funds it has earmarked for conversation projects to work on the dam and pond on the property.
What the initiative needs is a name, he noted, as it has always been referred to simply as the ‘former Tuckahoe site,’ and the town reconizes the need for something new and fresh. “We’re working on it,” he added.
Likewise, this community, like most in the region, is working to address an ongoing housing shortage.
“We’re trying to identify some parcels for some creative housing concepts to try to see if we can get some more affordable-housing opportunities, if not subsidized afford-
able-housing opportunities,” he explained.
“We have two glaring needs, and they’re not easy to address, unfortunately. One is seniors who have raised
families in Agawam; they’re living in single-family houses, and they want that downsizing opportunity,” he went on, noting that there is one over-55 condomimum project wrapping up, but the units come with price tags above what many can afford. “The other need is at the other end of the spectrum, the young people who have grown up in Agawam; they’re young adults out in the work world trying to find housing opportunities so they can stay in Agawam.”
As for the former Games and Lanes property, long an eyesore and an environmental nightmare, and then a vacant lot used only for parking at Big E time, Johnson said at least one developer has expressed interest.
The broader Walnut Street Extension corridor was rezoned to allow mixed use, he noted, adding that the pre- ferred reuse of the Games and Lanes property would be development that entailed retail and office space on the ground floor and residential units on the floors above.
Bottom Line
Much has happened in this town since Johnson last occupied the corner office at the start of this century.
But some issues, including the high school, housing, and the Tuckahoe Turf Farm, were talked about the first time he patrolled Town Hall.
He ran again to bring resolution to those issues and “give them a fair shake,” as he put it, and as he prepares to return to office, there is an expectation of real progress on these and many other fronts. BW
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12 JANUARY 8, 2024 << COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT >> BusinessWest