Page 66 - BusinessWest November 28, 2022

Remaking History
TFormer Wilson’s Site to House 65 Apartments, Food Market
he Franklin Community Co-op Mayor Roxann Wedegartner said evant state agencies. downtown neighborhoods,” added (FCC) announced on Nov. that housing and maintaining a strong The city of Greenfield is also invest- Housing and Economic Development 16 that the former Wilson’s retail presence on Main Street have ing $300,000 in funds that must be Secretary Mike Kennealy, who serves as
Department Store will be home to 65 mixed-income rental units and an expansion of the Green Field Market food store on the first floor and in the basement, under a plan announced last week by the city of Greenfield, MassDevelopment, and the Community Builders (TCB).
always been among her top goals since she took office.
The residential redevelopment of the historic property will be financed in part by a combination of federal and state low-income housing tax credits, new-market tax credits, and historic tax credits, pending approvals from rel-
used to create affordable housing. Wedegartner said the money comes from the city’s sale of the lease on another downtown housing develop- ment, the Mill House Apartments.
“Mixed-use buildings featuring housing and retail are a main ingre- dient for creating vibrant, walkable
chair of MassDevelopment’s board of directors, in a news release.
The new placement of the retail store allows for new, full-service bakery, deli, meat, and seafood departments, as well as a large, on-site community room for public use and reservations for community gatherings, workshops, and events.
The co-op supports more than
220 local suppliers, including 40 local farms, producing $2.6 million in local sales in 2021 with two locations: Green Fields in Greenfield and McCusker’s
“Mixed-use buildings featuring housing and retail are a main ingredient for creating vibrant, walkable downtown neighborhoods.”
Market in Shelburne Falls.
The 65 mixed-income rental homes
for families will be one-, two- and three-bedroom units with a blend of workforce and income-adjusted units. Residents will be close not only to the co-op’s grocery store, but to health- care, a pharmacy, the YMCA, the public library, and open green space.
“In addition to creating much-need- ed, high-quality housing in Greenfield, relocating and expanding Green Fields Market will provide the community with access to healthy food in an area of Greenfield currently without a full- service grocery store,” said Rachana Crowley, director of Real Estate Devel- opment at TCB. “We’re proud to be a part of this team which will create new housing, employment opportunities, and invest in a strong and robust Main Street in Greenfield.”
Wilson’s had long been an anchor downtown. The historical Wilson’s building was built in 1882 and was one of the last independent, family- owned department stores in the coun- try before closing in January 2020. The building had supported businesses for 137 years before the closure.
“We’re thrilled we’ll remain a down- town anchor business,” said KC Cec- carossi, Franklin County Co-op board vice president. “We’ve been here for the last three decades, and it’s a criti-
Wilson’s
Continued on page 69
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