Special ribbon cutting ceremony for new Mason Square Apartments

More affordable housing is coming to downtown Springfield with a special ribbon cutting officially opening the new apartment units today. 22 News reporter Melissa Torres gives us a closer look at how these apartments on State Street will house the workforce in Springfield. Melissa. Well after some much-needed TLC, rezoning, permitting and the paving of parking spaces, these 100-year-old historic buildings will now serve a greater purpose. Every community in Massachusetts has a housing shortage and the ability to see old historic buildings now serving as new neighborhoods. It really brings joy to my heart. These two buildings on State Street used to be home to Indian Motorcycle and the Knox Automobile Company. Today these buildings have been entirely redeveloped after sitting dormant for years. Both companies went out of business. Buildings sat vacant for decades. The building was about to collapse and we wanted to save this history. Gordon Pulsifer's company, First Resources, previously redeveloped and completed the old Indian Motorcycle building in Mason Square Apartments and now has completed the Knox residencies. The entire project, which has been ongoing since 2013, included renovations and upgrades to create affordable housing. This project displays preservation with a purpose. This once-vacated building will now house nearly 300 families here in the city of Springfield. These units are rent and income restricted. Local and state legislators telling 22News how the creation of more apartments will help address the ongoing housing crisis. We got it back on the city tax rolls here and it was an eyesore. But the big thing now is the housing is so desperately needed in the city and the state and the country. So we work together and wait until you see it. He lead your school administration, aiding local efforts by passing the largest housing investment bond bill in state history. A 5.2 billion dollar bond that's going to accelerate the pace of housing, help support and preserve the existing affordable housing that we have, and grow a strong economy. When you talk about a housing bill, you're also talking about jobs, putting people to work and creating homes that we know we need across this entire commonwealth. At this time, all of these apartments are full, but they are putting people on a wait list. For more information, you can just visit our website at www.lp.com. Working for you, Elisa Torres, 22News.