Page 38 - BusinessWest May 29, 2023

This drone shot shows demolition of one of the former Uniroyal buildings. A request for proposals has been issued for the still-standing structures at the top of this image.
contiguous areas of former industrial properties poised for redevel- opment in Western Massachusetts.”
Further, the big package notes, “unlike other comparable sites, most of the costly and lengthy procedures required to prepare for redevelopment have been completed, reducing the risk and uncer- tainty typically associated with brownfield redevelopment.”
It is hoped that these amenities, if they can be called that, will trigger the imaginations of developers and yield some intriguing
proposals, said Pouliot, adding that there are many possible uses for the buildings and the property. Housing is still a priority for the city and region, and the buildings, with some work, will lend themselves to that purpose. But there are other potential uses as well, he said, including retail, hospitality, and service businesses.
For this issue and its focus on commercial real estate, BusinessWest talked with Pou- liot about the long journey that Chicopee has taken to reach this critical juncture with the Uniroyal property, and what might happen next.
Where the Rubber Meets the Road
When asked what it was like, personally and professionally, to see the project reach this important milestone, Pouliot exhaled, glanced toward the ceiling, and then shook his head a few times.
The body language spoke volumes about the length and complexity of this project,
which has been ongoing — in some respects, anyway — longer than he’s been alive and has involved several different mayors, planners, and Community Development directors.
“In some ways, it feels odd that we’re nearing the end because so much of our time has been focused on getting to this point,” he said. “But it’s also significant — this has been no small feat for a community of Chicopee’s size; this is a huge milestone for the city.”
Recapping the Uniroyal story quickly, Pouliot said it starts back in the late 1800s, when that the land was first used for manufactur- ing. From 1896 to 1898, the property was owned by Spaulding and Pepper Co., which manufactured bicycle tires. Fisk Rubber Co., which later changed its name to United States Rubber Co. and then
“You could consider this
an industrial archaeological site; there are going to be limitations on development regardless of whether the buildings are standing or not.”
38 MAY 29, 2023 << COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE >>
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