GREENFIELD — More than a dozen pre-applications have been reviewed by the Community Preservation Committee and given the OK to move forward in the application process, including a proposal to build 46 units of senior housing in the Legion Avenue parking lot.

Full applications for project proposals are due by Nov. 15.

According to the proposal submitted by Timothy Grader, president of Cohn & Cohn Company Real Estate, the senior housing project involves a partnership with MassHousing and Amherst-based Kuhn Riddle Architects.

“Forty-six units of senior housing is something we could use in town,” said Community Preservation Committee member Susan Worgaftik, who is also a member of a group that explores housing issues, Housing Greenfield. “The thing that strikes me here is there is a lot of work between announcing you want to do something and actually having whatever housing credits are in place. I think they should move forward, but I have questions about how far along they are in the process.”

Community Preservation Committee Chair Travis Drury noted that many of those additional details would be included in later stages of the application process.

Other proposed projects that the Community Preservation Committee has moved forward in the process include repairs and improvements at High Street Cemetery, binding and rebinding the city’s historical documents, building a shaded structure over benches at Hillside Park, and a pickleball expansion project. In the last round of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding that was allocated in May, City Council — at the recommendation of the Community Preservation Committee — approved $50,000 to fund a feasibility study and site prep work for a pickleball court expansion project.

“We were the first in Franklin County to have an outdoor pickleball court,” said Recreation Director Christy Moore, who explained a consultant has been hired. “It’s no secret it’s popular and we need to build more to meet the demand.”

CPA funds are generated through the city’s participation in a state program that allows a 1% surcharge on property taxes. That amount is then supplemented each year by state funding. Greenfield voters approved the program in November 2020.

The committee has approximately $300,000 to allocate toward projects submitted by individuals, community groups, nonprofits and city government that enhance affordable housing, historic preservation and outdoor recreation/open space. Twenty-six thousand dollars are reserved for each of those three project categories, with the remaining funds being placed in a flexible account that can go toward any of the CPA-allowed uses.

The Community Preservation Committee first began issuing grants in August 2022. In May 2023, the committee funded 10 projects approved by City Council. Some of those projects included bocce courts at Beacon Park, trail restoration in Highland Park, expansion of the Wells Street homeless shelter and repairs to the cattle barn roofs at the Franklin County Fairgrounds.

After a review of applications with public input, the committee will vote to recommend funding for projects in spring 2024. A City Council vote is required to appropriate CPA funds for the projects.

Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.