Senator Leahy Attends Ellis Block Ground Breaking Ceremony
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Senator Patrick Leahy led a September 3 ground breaking ceremony to mark the start of the reconstruction of a key property in downtown Springfield.
Housing Vermont and an affiliate of the Springfield Housing Authority have partnered to redevelop Main Street’s historic Ellis Block which was destroyed by a devastating fire on July 8, 2008. The renovated building will include a 3-screen movie theatre and nine affordable apartments.
“This project is an outstanding example of how federal funds can be used to respond to key community needs,” said Housing Vermont President Nancy Owens. “We appreciate Senator Leahy’s leadership in ensuring that the Neighborhood Stabilization Program worked well in Vermont,” Owens said.
The total cost to redevelop the Ellis Block is $3.4 million. Funding sources include $1.286 million in federal stimulus money (Neighborhood Stabilization Program) and $125,000 in HUD funds obtained by Senator Leahy and provided through Preservation Trust of Vermont. Other sources include $1.3 million in equity from Housing Vermont’s Green Mountain Housing Equity Fund IV, $403,000 from state tax credits, $25,000 from the Town of Springfield, $74,000 from Springfield Housing Unlimited, and $165,000 from the Vermont Community Development Program.
William Maclay Architects redesigned the building and Ingram Construction is the general contractor. Construction will be completed in the spring.