The Upper Millyard project was initiated as the result of a study produced in 1979 which proposed the rehabilitation of the eight buildings and the area along the Powwow River. The properties are integral to Amesbury’ s Central Business District and to Market Square, the center of Downtown Amesbury. The complex of buildings was constructed in the mid-1850’ s as a woolen carding and weaving mill originally owned by the Salisbury Woolen Manufacturing Company. Underutilized and abandoned over time, they were an eyesore and a blight.
During the early 1980’ s, the rehabilitation project was undertaken and resulted in the renovation of over 100,000 sq. ft. of space in four of the buildings and landscape and site improvements. The 2001 assessed value of those improvements is $2,673,800.00 This is a significant increase from their pre-rehabilitation assessment of $161,660.00. The rehabilitation of the Millyard necessitated the acquisition of seven parcels of land to create the parks, parking on Friend Street and the Market Square plaza. Between 1979 and 1984 a total of over 3.5 million dollars was secured to provide the utilities and amenities to make the redevelopment successful. Uses included professional offices, retail, a restaurant, and an industrial supply business. A fifth building has recently been purchased for a mixed commercial residential use. In support of that redevelopment, restoration of a millpond and dam was accomplished, walkways and bridges constructed along the river, and landscape improvements along with an amphitheater were built in the Millyard. Sewer, water and drainage improvements were undertaken along with the construction of municipal parking and renovations to Market Square to support the project.
There remained three buildings to redevelop. The three border High Street, Pond Street and the Mill Pond and were owned by two individuals. Because of the split in ownership and the need to undertake the project as a whole, the Town began negotiations for the acquisition of the buildings.
Discussions with the property owners continued through the 1980s. Unfortunately, around that same time, the economy worsened and developer interest in the buildings waned. Without a developer, there was little interest in pursuing the acquisition of the buildings. As the economy began to emerge from the downturn, the Town renewed its interest in the development of the three buildings. In 1995, the Town took control of Building #14 (36 High Street) through the tax foreclosure process. In 1996, pre-development assistance was provided through the Massachusetts Development Financing Authority (MDFA) and the Alliance for Amesbury to determine the most appropriate building reuse program. That development study included Buildings #1, #1A, & #15 (25 Pond Street) along with #14. The study was undertaken by Bonz/REA and completed in 1998, and included building assessment, structural review, 21E assessment and reuse options. With the completion of the Bonz/REA Study, the Town began discussions on building reuse options particular to 36 High Street with local officials, neighboring property owners and interested individuals. At that time, reuse scenarios included artisan living space, a continuing education center, offices and a visitor/cultural center. Within the context of all these uses, supportive parking became a key issue.
In May 2001, the Town began renovations of 36 High Street using $843,900 in Community Development Block Grant funds to replace the roof, stabilize the structure, install new Mass Historic approved windows and remove hazardous material. Also in 2001, the Town received additional funding from MD. to refine the redevelopment options in the Upper Millyard. The Edge Group, Inc., a real estate and marketing consultant was hired to further investigate the potential for the suggested options including determining financial feasibility and levels of interest from prospective developers. |
A team including Fred Faust, Paul Marion and Jero Nesson worked with the Alliance, Mass Development, the Town, the Carriage Museum, and other associated cultural and historic interests, and artisans to achieve that goal. Open Houses on March 14 and 16, 2002 for community members, artists, crafts people, non-profits and other interested parties demonstrated the interest in artist work/live space being developed at this property. A list of artists who have filled out questionnaires was created. Surplusing of the building was approved by the Municipal Council on December 4, 2001.
However, because of the desire for a complete and comprehensive redevelopment of the remaining properties and the need to address parking issues, negotiations continued for the acquisition of Buildings #1 & #15 (25 Pond Street). Anticipating possible site contamination, the Town and the property owner separately began a series of brownfields assessment of the Pond Street property and the sedimentation in the nearby Powow River.
In 2001 the property owner of the Pond Street properties removed the underground storage tanks and contracted with a Licensed Site Professional (LSP) for a more detailed site analysis. On March 8, 2002 ARB Environmental Associates, on behalf of E.F. Mooney & Associates, Inc. filed a Class A-3 Response Action Outcome Report (including an Activity and Use Limitation) for conditions identified on the 25 Pond Street property. A Release Tracking Number was filed as well.
Extremely concerned that an activity and use limitation would prohibit residential uses, and at the limit of subsidy funds, the Town turned to Mass Development for funding to clean up the site in the spring of 2001. A series of meetings was held, and Mass Development agreed to fund a $171,000 clean up effort, which will remove the activity and use limitation. Work will be completed in the spring of 2002 to remove the lead from the Pond Street properties as well as neighboring yards.
Acquisition of the final key buildings occurred on June 14, 2002, funded by the Town’ s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. Acquisition and surplusing of Buildings #1 & #15 was approved by the Municipal Council on December 4, 2001. Additionally, the Town has earmarked $325,000 of its 2002 CDBG funds for stabilization work on the 25 Pond Street properties.
In June 2002, a zoning overlay district was approved to allow Artisan living/work space in this area and other areas in Town. Then, in July of 2002 a request for proposals from developers was issued. Seven firms responded, and a representative committee selected by the mayor recommended E.A. Fish of Boston to be the developer. The Mayor named E.. Fish as the developer November 20, 2002, and the town is working with E.A. Fish to design artisan live workspace, a cultural center and other amenities at the site. Additional subsidy grants will be available to complete infrastructure and park improvements and to build out the shell of the community cultural and historic center.
The revitalization of Amesbury’ s Upper Millyard is in sight after 25 years of study, subsidy and persistent effort. Brownfields assistance from Mass Development allowed the Town to offer all the remaining properties for redevelopment, thus encouraging a comprehensive solution. In addition, this larger scale project is attractive to a more experienced developer.
Funding Resources:
CDBG Funds and CDAG funds: contact the MA Dept. of Housing and Community Development - 617 727 7001
Marketing and feasibility studies: contact the Local Chamber (in our case Alliance for Amesbury), Town and Mass Development
Pre-Development funds: contact the Mass Development office - 617 451 2477 or 800 445 8030
Brownfields analysis and remediation funding: contact Mass Development Brownfields - 617 451 2477 or 800 445 8030 (also can use EPA Brownfields funding for remediation, which we are doing in another case here in town)
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