12-16-2021 1:20pm

Proposed Rebirth for the Old Federal Screw Works

Artist rendering of the splash pad area. Image: Joe Ziolkowski/Dangerous Architects PC

By Doug Marrin, STN Reporter

A blighted property in downtown Chelsea may soon be destined for a new life as a new city park if local developer Joe Ziolkowski and his non-profit group, Main Street Park Alliance, have their way.

“I think it's a unique opportunity,” said Ziolkowski in a phone call. “We have a really great group of people who have come together that can make this park happen. It's a wonderful opportunity to change the paradigm on that piece of property and shift it from what it's been for the last 20 years to something that's usable for the entire city of Chelsea.”

Mr. Ziolkowski presented the concept for converting the old Federal Screw Works property to the City Council at its December 13, 2021 meeting. He began with a brie review of the troublesome parcel and its abandoned building at 500 Main Street across from the Mobil gas station. Ziolkowski explained how repeated efforts to develop the 2.5-acre lot in recent years had been stymied for various reasons—environmental, deed restriction, groundwater issues, and money. “That property can only be used for commercial,” he also explained. “You can’t put residences on that property.”

So, what could be done with that property? Main Street Park Alliance has an idea.

“We wanted to flip the script on that property and reimagine it in a completely different way,” he said. “Instead of looking at it from a commercial development standpoint, which has been done, we wanted to look at it from the perspective of the greatest community gain and greatest community benefit.”

They arrived at the idea of a vibrant community park in the heart of Chelsea. Ziolkowski explained that the non-profit would like to begin discussions with the City to explore potential public partners for the park concept.

The park will have a lot to offer. Plans include:

8,000+ sq ft Indoor Recreation/All Purpose Space
¼ Mile Walking Path with workout stations
Restorative/Rest/Picnic areas
Outdoor Courtyard
Skate Park
All Sports Turf Field
All Sports Court (futsol, basketball, roller hockey, ice rink)
Pickleball Courts
Cornhole/Bocci/Multipurpose Field
Gaga Pits
Splashpad
Climbing Wall and Climbing Boulders
Walking Bridge
Multi Age Playscapes
Circle Drive with Parking
Bathrooms/Storage

“The group had largely formed what’s in this park based off of the criteria of what’s trending in parks over the last ten years, coupled with what we are sort of seeing that’s missing in Chelsea,” said Ziolkowski.

Main Street Park Alliance has a purchase agreement in place with the owner of the property. He hopes to lock the deal up in the first two months of the new year. His group is working with an environmental consulting firm to help navigate the brownfield issues.

“I think it’s important to note that neither myself or anybody affiliated with the park or on our board is getting paid, drawing a salary, or receiving any sort of compensation,” Ziolkowski told the Council. “We are a completely, one-hundred percent volunteer group of people that have come together to try and do this project.”

Ziolkowski’s group has been working on the concept for more than a year, but he feels it is just beginning. “There are many hurdles and many question marks yet to answer,” he said.

“Hopefully, in two, three years, it’s art that’s benefiting the entire City of Chelsea and surrounding communities to come use,” concluded Ziolkowski. “We will have, you know, a beautiful park that says something about who we are as a city and what we value as a city.”

Main Street Park Alliance would like to hear what the community thinks of the concept. They welcome your comments, which can be sent to info@mainstreetpark.org

Below is a video of an aerial artist rendering of the proposed project.