Public Legal Notices – Environmental Review for Federally Funded Housing Projects

These notices are for public review. They are part of the Environmental Review process for housing projects that use federal funds, including HOME funds, Project-Based Section 8 Vouchers, and any other applicable federal funds under NEPA. Notices remain at the top of the page for a minimum of 17 days from the posting date and then are moved to the archive section at the foot of this page.

Table of Contents

June 5, 2025

Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC)
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 300
Boston, MA 02114

This notice shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by EOHLC.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about June 23, 2025 EOHLC will submit requests to the HUD Boston Regional Office for the release of Home Funds under the; Title II of the Cranston Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act of 1990, as amended; 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 be utilized in a project known as 110 Ocean, located at 110 Ocean Avenue, Revere, MA. The project consists of the new construction of 57 affordable units. The project will use an estimated $1,000,000 in HOME funds and the following sources of state funds: FCF-DMH, HSF and NHTF. Expected additional public funding includes Federal and State low-income housing tax credits. The project sponsor is The Neighborhood Developers. The total estimated project cost is approximately $38,678,113.00 million.

 FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

EOHLC have 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 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 Dan Tobyne, Bureau of Rental Assistance, 100 Cambridge Street Suite 300, Boston, MA 02114 or at dan.tobyne@mass.gov.  All comments received by June 22, 2025, will be considered by EOHLC prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.  Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.                                      

RELEASE OF FUNDS

The Commonwealth of MA acting through EOHLC certifies to HUD that Catherine Racer is in her capacity as Certifying Officer, consents 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 project, to use HUD program funds for the purpose specified.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the Commonwealth of Mass. 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 Commonwealth of MA; (b) the Commonwealth of MA have 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 project have committed funds or incurred costs 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 via email to CPDRROFBOS@hud.gov in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58) and shall be addressed to the Environmental Officer, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Boston, MA.  Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

For EOHLC
Catherine Racer, Undersecretary

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

Archive

Date published: June 5, 2025

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