Housing Headlines

BOSTON --- Core Investment's long-talked about plan to build a 600 apartments in Andrew Square has taken a step forward with the announcement that it is adding Samuels & Associates to its development team. Samuels is best known for its development of Boylston St. near Fenway Park.

LEOMINSTER --- State and local leaders gathered recently for a groundbreaking ceremony marking the beginning of the makeover of the 114-year-old Carter Junior High into 39 affordable apartments. The region's housing non-profit, NewVue Communities, is developing the brick school, using federal and state low-income housing and historic tax credits. The building served as the city's high school until 1963 before becoming a junior high. It has been closed since 1984. (Note: MHP has committed $500,000 in long-term financing from it's bank-funded loan pool).

SOUTH YARMOUTH --- State and local leaders gathered with developer Dakota Partners on Mon., Sept. 17 to celebrate the start of construction at Yarmouth Commons, a 69-apartment ,100 percent affordable development on the Route 28 site of the former Cavalier Motor Lodge. The Town of Yarmouth was integral to the project: it passed a zoning bylaw in 2006 encouraging the redevelopment of motels and has committed $2 million from its local housing trust. (Note: MHP's Laura Shufelt provided technical assistance to the town and MHP has committed $3.8M in long-term financing).

HUDSON --- Saying the historic overlay district's limit of 130 to 140 apartments is too restrictive, local developer George Danis has withdrawn plans to raze three Tower St. industrial buildings and develop 270 apartments.

An editorial in the Salem News urged anyone who sits on a local board to read a recent study by Boston University showing that resistance to housing dominates public meetings. The study of so-called NIMBYism - short for Not in My Backyard - found that about two thirds of residents who spoke at housing-related public meetings were against new developments. Researchers poured over three years of meeting notes from 97 communities to reach their conclusions. By contrast, only 14 percent spoke in favor. The editorial pointed out that those numbers are out of whack with local and statewide polling.

EGREMONT --- By just one vote, Egremont residents at special town meeting failed to OK by the necessary two-thirds majority a proposal to borrow $640,000 so it could partner with neighboring Charlmont to move two donated homes to town land and then renovate them into condos. Apprroximately 150 of the town's 1,200 residents attended the meeting and the vote on borrowing was 88 in favor and 45 against. Voters were also clear in their voice vote to reject adopting the Community Preservation Act, which would provide funds for open space, preservation and affordable housing through a local surcharge. Voters did OK spending $375 for mowing at town cemeteries.