NewVue Celebrates Opening of Residences at the Park in Athol
ATHOL, MA — NewVue Communities celebrated the opening of a new mixed-income housing complex in Athol with federal, state and local leaders Tuesday, Oct. 13.
The ribbon-cutting marked the transformation of two vacant historic school buildings into a vibrant campus of much needed housing for individuals and families in Athol, a community where rents and property values have skyrocketed in recent years.
Residences at the Park, located at the former Riverbend and Ellen Bigelow Schools, has 53 units of mixed-income housing, including 20 one-bedroom units; 24 two-bedroom and nine three-bedroom.
NewVue Communities Executive Director Gonzalo Puigbo said the project is a powerful example of what can be accomplished when local, state and federal partners work together around a shared vision.
“Residences at the Park represents a significant investment in Athol and an opportunity to bring new energy and vitality to the community through the renovation of two formerly vacant and blighted school buildings,’’ Puigbo said. “NewVue Communities is proud to have earned the Town of Athol’s trust to lead this transformative project and we look forward to finding more opportunities in North Central Massachusetts to continue building strong communities and expanding access to quality housing.’’
The $32 million project is funded primarily through tax credits. Other funds include loans from financing partners, as well as $1 million in federal funding secured by U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA, 2nd) and $400,000 in federal American Resue Plan Act funds from Athol.
“At a time when far too many are struggling to find housing they can afford, this project is a real win for our region,’’ McGovern said. “Working with NewVue Communities and our state and local partners, we’ve helped transform this former school campus into 53 much-needed homes, preserving an important piece of Athol’s history and bringing new life to downtown. I’m proud to have secured $1.4 million in federal funding to make this vision and reality and thrilled to celebrate its opening.’’
Increasing access to quality, affordable housing is also priority of the Healey-Driscoll administration and Residences at the Park is the type of project they hope to see more of throughout the Commonwealth.
“The Healey-Driscoll Administration has made tackling our housing shortage a central priority because we know Massachusetts needs more homes in every region and for people at every stage of life,” said Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Juana Matias. “Residences at the Park shows how state and local leaders, nonprofit developers and community partners can work together to give historic buildings new purpose, preserving a community’s history while creating the housing it needs for the future.”
The Riverbend School was built in 1907 and closed in 2016; the Ellen Bigelow School was built in 1912 and closed in 2013.
State Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, who was instrumental in advocating for state support, said the strong partnership between NewVue and the Town of Athol helped move the project along smoothly.
“I’m thrilled to see this project completed and to know that residents will soon be moving into these beautiful new homes,’’ Comerford said. “I’m grateful to MassDevelopment, the Office of Housing and Livable Communities, and many other partners for investing in housing and in the future of communities across western and north central Massachusetts.”
Athol Town Manager Shaun Suhoski said the project required a strong vision, hard work and persistence. He said he is thrilled with the restoration, which includes the preservation of historic mill work. The project will be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
“The contributions of all partners have yielded a beautifully restored former school campus that will house dozens of families and individuals for generations to come,’’ Suhoski said. “The journey to fruition took patience and persistence and now the entire community can share the pride in this accomplishment.’’
In September 2019, the Athol Board of Selectmen chose NewVue Communities as the town’s developer/partner to renovate the two-building campus of the Riverbend and Ellen Bigelow Schools, add a new building, and redevelop open space, community space and parking.
NewVue took ownership of the property in early 2025, closed on its construction financing in May 2025 and immediately started construction.
About NewVue Communities: NewVue Communities is a nonprofit community development corporation dedicated to creating strong and healthy neighborhoods where residents choose to live, work, and invest. NewVue Communities is dedicated to serving the 240,000 residents of North Central Massachusetts, a region of 22 municipalities stretching from Harvard to Athol. We strategically use a five-pronged approach to strengthen communities and fuel economic and social progress through homeownership, small business development, housing development, asset management, and community organizing.
