NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNFICANT IMPACT AND
NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
May 23, 2025
City of Springfield
36 Court Street
Springfield, MA, 01103
(413) 750-3229
Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities – EOHLC
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 300
Boston, MA 02114
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Springfield.
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about June 9, 2025, the City of Springfield and the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds under Title II of the Cranston-Gonzales Affordable Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. §§202 et seq. and for the release of the release of Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) funds under Section 8, The Housing Act of 1937, as amended, for the purpose of attaching project-based vouchers to undertake a project known as Merrick Park Apartments for the purpose of rehabilitation, maintenance, and new construction of two (2) buildings. The first building is 195 State Street, Springfield, MA. Currently this is a vacant commercial building which was the Old School Department Headquarters. The plan is to convert the building into 41 residential apartments. The second building adjacent to 195 State Street is 19-25 Maple Street. 19-25 Maple Street is an existing building with 21 residential apartments. Many of these apartments are out of service and not rentable at this time. The development plan here is to do a gut rehab and place all units back in service. The combined project will total 62 apartments.
Estimated HUD funding: $1,400,000.00
Estimated Total Project Cost: $37,667,642.00
Project location: 195 State Street and 19-25 Maple Street, Springfield MA 01103
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The City of Springfield and EOHLC has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at 36 Court Street Room 405, Springfield, MA 01103 and may be examined or copied weekdays 8:30 A.M to 4:30 P.M. and at EOHLC, Bureau of Rental Assistance, 100 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114 and may be examined or copied weekdays from 9am to 4pm.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Department of Technical Assistance and Compliance or to Dan Tobyne for EOHLC (dan.tobyne@mass.gov) at its address above. All comments received by June 8, 2025, will be considered by the City of Springfield and EOHLC prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The City of Springfield certifies to HUD that Domenic J. Sarno in his capacity as Mayor and The Commonwealth of MA acting through EOHLC certifies to HUD that Catherine Racer is in her capacity as Certifying Officer, consent to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of Springfield to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Springfield and EOHLC’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Springfield; (b) the City of Springfield has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to U.S. Department of HUD, Office of Community Planning and Development, Thomas P. O’Neil Jr. Federal Building at 10 Causeway Street, Boston, MA 02222 or submitted via email to CPDRROFBOS@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Domenic J. Sarno, Mayor
City of Springfield
For EOHLC
Catherine Racer, Undersecretary
| Date published: | May 23, 2025 |
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