Housing Headlines

DENNIS --- Saying it's the best way for the town to have maximum control over what's being built, selectmen voted to issue a letter supporting a local initiative program application for Maritime Landing, a 28-unit mixed-income condominium complex being proposed for Route 6A by developer Mark Smith, who has constructed a similar development in Brewster. The state's Local Initiative Program is a version of Chapter 40B that encourages communities and developers to work together. “Given everything that’s said and done, that is our best option to keep local control to the best of our ability and to provide as much input to the developer as possible,” Selectman Sheryl McMahon said of her decision to support the LIP application. Seven of the homes will be affordable.

SCITUATE --- In an effort to simplify zoning and avoid strip mall-type growth in the town's Greenbush neighborhood, town officials last month presented a zoning initiative that would encourage mixed-use development and better control commercial development that residents say is changing the character of the neighborhood.

WEYMOUTH --- While residents acknowledge the progress - 1,200 homes, athletic fields and jobs coming in - some residents on and off the former South Weymouth Naval Air Base wonder if Union Point will ever realize its promise of becoming the urban oasis as developer LStar has yet to attract one permanent store or business into the ground floor commercial space as of June 9, when reporter Jessica Trufant wrote this feature.

BOSTON --- Boston Medical Center's decision to invest $800,000 to help stabilize a long-neglected Dorchester apartment building is part of a $6.5 million investment the hospital is making in housing around the city. The investment is part of a state requirement tied to BMC's expansion. "Only about 10 to 20 percent of health is actually determined by what type of health care you get," says Dr. Megan Sandel, one of the leaders of BMC’s housing initiative. "Much more [significant are] the social determinants of health -- where you live, what your environment is like."

WORCESTER --- Following a narrow 6-5 city council vote against putting the Community Preservation Act on the November ballot, proponents have turned their attention to gathering 5,400 signatures to get the measure on the ballot via the initiative petition process. Joseph C. O’Brien, a former mayor, city councilor and a member of the Yes for a Better Worcester Coalition is hopeful, given that a survey showed 82.7 percent of voters support putting CPA on the ballot.

LAWRENCE --- Gov. Charlie Baker joined with local officials on July 9 to celebrate the grand opening of 55 market-rate apartments at the Wood Mill, the latest effort by developer and restaurateur Sal Lupoli to transform the massive mill site into a bustling mixed-use development known as the Riverwalk. According to Lupoli, Riverwalk today boasts 2.6 million square feet of space and is home to 5,000 employees in about 200 businesses. It also features 260 apartments.