An adaptive reuse rehabilitation of the former Springfield Fire and Marine Insurance Company building, plus an adjacent residential building, will create 62 units of affordable housing in the heart of Springfield. The 195 State Street and 19–25 Maple Street location sits across the street from the Springfield Central library.

Dubbed Merrick Park Apartments, the community will feature eight studio apartments, 43 one-bedroom units, 10 two-bedroom units and one three-bedroom unit. Apartments will be restricted to households earning between 30% and 60% of the area median income, with eight units reserved for those requiring Section 8 rental assistance.

First Resource Development Company LLC and family-owned WNC & Associates will oversee the redevelopment process. The team plans to break ground immediately and wrap up construction in 2027.

“Several years in the making, we are excited to announce the closing for Merrick Park Apartments,” said Gordon Pulsifer, President of First Resource Development Company LLC. “Not only will this project add 62 new homes to the Lower Maple Historic District, the project also will result in redesign of the entire corner directly across from Merrick Park and downtown Springfield. We look forward to its completion and partnering with WNC to complete the project.”