Soldier On eventualy hopes to build 100 apartments
Updated: Tuesday, 24 Aug 2010, 2:10 PM EDT
Published : Tuesday, 24 Aug 2010, 9:05 AM EDT
AGAWAM, Mass. (WWLP) - There could be new housing for homeless veterans in Western Massachusetts soon.
On Tuesday, an official ceremony turned over control of what once was the State Police Training Academy to the non-profit group Soldier On.
The Northampton-based group wants to build 40 studio apartments for homeless veterans at the site, with work to begin in the fall or spring. Eventually, they hope to build 100 units.
The project has a total price tag of about $12 million, though almost none of that went into the acquisition of the land. Governor Patrick signed a bill transferring the property to the group at a cost of $1.
In addition to helping out veterans, officials say the project will add to the town’s property tax base, provide construction jobs, and help stimulate the local economy.