Marianne LaBarge City Councilor | Ward 6 | Northampton, MA

WARD 6

         CITY COUNCILOR

MARIANNE LABARGE
Text Box: For Immediate Release - July 31, 2025 Mayor Sciarra Announces Sale Agreement for 33 King Street Surplus Parcel NORTHAMPTON - Today, Northampton Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra is excited to announce that she has signed a Provisional Development Agreement with a local housing development team that will transform 33 King Street, the former Probate Court parcel, into a vibrant mixed-use, mixed-income addition to our downtown. This agreement was signed with the team consisting of The Community Builders, Inc., and Valley Community Development, who submitted the most advantageous response to the city’s solicitation for bids earlier this spring. The development team’s approach will include reimagining the parcel with two five-story buildings that will consist of 2,500 square feet of commercial space along the King Street frontage, a total of 92 residential units serving the needs of residents with incomes ranging at or below 30% - 120% of Area Median Income, natural amenity spaces, parking, and it will maintain the existing public access easement to the Mass Central Rail Trail - Downtown Connector. “Our city has a long-standing partnership with both organizations, and together they have a proven track record of creating beautiful, energy-efficient housing that serves the needs of our residents,” shared Mayor Sciarra. “This collaboration will breathe new life into a parcel that has stood vacant for far too long with much-needed housing as well as commercial space, boosting vibrancy downtown.” The proposed architecture for the new buildings is thoughtfully designed to align with the Central Business Core district design guidelines and will enhance downtown by replacing a block building with structural deficiencies. We look forward to their applications to the Planning Board and Central Business Architecture Committee for the Boards’ respective reviews. This truly beneficial project supports the city’s goals to create more opportunities for housing in and around downtown, as well as to support mixed-income housing in a wider range of affordability, all while filling a void in the street just one block from the Main and King Street intersection. Alexis Breiteneicher, Executive Director of Valley Community Development, shared, “We are thrilled to be selected to add critically needed affordable housing in the downtown Northampton core. Residents will live adjacent to many of the things that make Northampton great in buildings that are energy-efficient, beautiful, and safe.” “TCB is excited to be a partner in providing a new future for 33 King Street,” said Rachana Crowley, regional vice president for real estate development at The Community Builders. “Our collaboration with the City of Northampton and Valley Community Development combines national experience with local knowledge to expand housing opportunity for residents and spark new business investments. We are thrilled to be selected to add critically needed affordable housing in the downtown Northampton core, helping to make this an even more inclusive and vibrant city.” For more information, please contact the Mayor’s Office at mayor@northamptonma.gov or by calling 413-587-1249. Office of Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra City of Northampton 210 Main Street, Room 12 Northampton MA 01060 413-587-1249 phone 413-587-1275 fax www.northamptonma.gov  --