Mayor Kos along with the project developers, O’Connell Development Group and Soldier On, Inc. invite the public to an open house at the former Chapin School, 40 Meadow St, Chicopee on Thursday, September 15th from 4-7pm. The site including a few apartments will be open for viewing. “I am pleased to invite our elected officials and Chicopee residents to tour the former school” stated Mayor Kos, “We have many former teachers and students who have called requesting a tour.”

The Chapin School Veterans Housing project, a partnership of Holyoke-based O’Connell Development Group and Soldier On, Inc., created 43 one bedroom housing units through the renovation of the former school.

In the past two years, the City of Chicopee has finalized financing terms, completed required site and neighborhood reviews, has completed expedited review of building plans to finalize closing schedule, and has coordinated all private and public funders to complete the development. Occupancy of the project began on Sept 1, 2016.

The partnership has spent over $7,000,000 on the renovation of the historic school. The City also assisted in the financing of the project with federal HOME funds.