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Hopedale, Draper Mill Complex, awarded $50,000 in state funds
January 8, 2008 ... The Town of Hopedale, on behalf of the Draper Reuse Committee, has been awarded $50,000 from the Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) Priority Development Fund, according to Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, and Rep. John V. Fernandes, D-Milford. The funding award is to support planning for a Smart Growth Zoning Overlay District, which has the potential to produce up to 500 units of housing. "I applaud the Draper Reuse Committee for their continued efforts to secure funding, and DHCD for their timely review, which ensures that planning for the redevelopment of the Draper facility will continue in a professional, community oriented manner," said Moore. "For 150 years, the Draper plant offered economic security and employment for the people of Hopedale and surrounding towns. It's potential redevelopment through the cooperation of town officials and residents together with the current owners, in partnership with relevant state agencies, offers the opportunity for this historic property to serve the future needs of Hopedale and the region." “I am very pleased that DHCD acted so quickly on the application,” said Fernandes. “I am extremely grateful for the effort of the Draper Reuse Committee for their very hard work these past few years moving this issue forward. They have made great progress. The grant is recognition of that progress, and gives legitimacy to the effort that the Reuse Committee has been pursuing. I believe that the visits over the past few months of Secretary O’Connell, the Lt. Governor and finally the Governor to the Draper site helped raise the administration’s awareness of the importance of the issue and that those visits played a role in the swift response to the application. Mike Ruane, as Chairman of the Reuse Committee, is to be particularly congratulated for his leadership in getting this grant filed.” “The Draper Reuse Committee is delighted by the rapid and positive review of our proposal,” said Reuse Committee Chairman Michael Ruane. “We look forward to working with the Town boards and commissions to identify the infrastructure needs and possible zoning changes to find an appropriate reuse of the Draper Complex.” The proposed Smart Growth Zoning Overlay District consists of 60 acres with a series of four-story vacant factory buildings with over one million square feet of space. Hopedale’s goal is to stimulate the redevelopment of this site in order to provide affordable housing, enhance the appearance of the town center, and develop and maintain a park and open space along the river. The Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission has agreed to provide technical assistance to investigate and analyze the infrastructure impacts of the proposed reuse scenarios. |
