LOCUS’s technical assistance helped the neighboring towns of Greenfield and Montague focus their sights on two feasible development/ redevelopment projects within their respective downtown Opportunity Zones. Since the conclusion of the Academy, both Greenfield and Montague have experienced activity around their chosen projects.
This post is part of a series summarizing the experience and outcomes of the inaugural class of Smart Growth America and LOCUS’s Massachusetts Opportunity Zones Academy. Read about Greenfield and Montague, and be sure to check out the posts for Barnstable-Yarmouth, Fitchburg, and Salem.
Reduced parking minimums at each of these sites were major factors in the determination of project feasibility. SGA recommended that the other two project sites, the Greenfield Armory and the First National Bank building in Greenfield, be redeveloped into civic spaces or affordable housing so that the projects would be eligible for state and federal tax credits, grants, and financing programs.