“We just received from the Mass Department of Transportation a put aside for $13 million to redo that section,” Mayor LaChapelle confirms. “We want to keep the flavor of Main Street, but make it safer for pedestrians, for bicycles, and for cars. We won’t put actual shovels in the ground probably until 2027, 2028. We’re about 25% design, which then the state comments on.” The project connects three critical zones: the Cultural District, Main Street, and the mill district.Additional grants support complementary improvements. “We just started on a multi-use path that goes from downtown out to our brand new school that’s opened,” Mayor LaChapelle explains.“Getting smaller grants to touch up those neighborhoods across the city, whether it’s sidewalks or traffic lights, safer ways to cross the street for pedestrians. Those are little grants that we’re using for big impact projects.” Climate adaptation drives infrastructure decisions. Flooding in unexpected areas has prompted investments in stormwater management. Crosswalks with flashing beacons improve pedestrian safety on the scenic route from Mount Tom. The $10 million Army Corps of Engineers authorization provides planning resources for comprehensive flood mitigation, though implementation requires careful environmental assessment. TACKLING THE HOUSING CRISIS Easthampton has four major developments totaling over 300 units, each addressing different market segments while advancing sustainability goals.“We have four big housing projects that are in different stages of being built.The total number of units when they’re all done is just a scooch past 300,” Mayor LaChapelle states.“We could have at any given month less than 10 houses that are available to buy. On the rental side, our rents are going up considerably. We have some property owners who are from other states and are increasing rents sometimes as much as 35%, 50%. Facing these conditions, we do everything we can to get units on the market ASAP.” The most innovative project combines affordable housing with conservation. An anonymous donor contributed $500,000 to identify locations for carbon neutral housing development adjacent to conserved Photo Credit: Pat Brough 138 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 07
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