For decades the massive brick and concrete structures making up the Hampton Mill Buildings at the corner of Ferry, Pleasant and Lovefield Streets in Easthampton remained abandoned. The once beautiful and historically significant industrial spaces had become condemned. In 2016 a developer developed a plan with a serious commitment to renovating the derelict buildings. The plan took two years to put together and in late 2018 a public/private partnership came together and the One Ferry Street project was born.
The city’s work included design and construction of new sidewalks and pedestrian crossings, and Manhan Rail Trail crossing at Ferry Street; a parking area with electric vehicle chargers at Lovefield Street; retaining wall adjacent to the rail trail; improvements to the Lower Mill Pond. Money was spent on landscaping, plants, trees, benches, placement of utilities underground on Ferry Street and addition of street lighting in the project area, new pavement and curbing. A roundabout was built to improve vehicular traffic at Lovefield, Ferry and Pleasant streets.
Work on this project is ongoing, but the significant enhancements to the neighborhood have been well-received.